In the Ranks of the C.I.V. | Page 8

had been very simple, merely the securing of a blanket
over the roan's distressingly bony spine, and putting a bit in his
refractory mouth. As I anticipated, there had been a crisis over my lack
of a saddle at the last moment, various officers and N.C.O.'s laying the
blame, first on me (of all people), and then on each other, but chiefly on
me, because it was safest. Not having yet learnt the unquestioning
attitude of a soldier, I felt a great martyr at the time. The infinite
insignificance of the comfort on horseback of one spare driver had not
yet dawned upon me; later on, I learnt that indispensable philosophy
whose gist is, "Take what comes, and don't worry."
We passed through Capetown and its interminable suburbs, came out
on to open rolling country, mostly covered with green scrub, and, in the
afternoon, formed our first regular marching camp, on a bit of green
sward, which was a delicious contrast after Green Point Sand. Guns and
waggons were marshalled, picket-ropes stretched between them, the
horses tied up, and the routine of "stables" begun again.
It was our first bivouac in the open, and very well I slept, with my

blanket and waterproof sheet, though it turned very cold about two with
a heavy dew. A bare-backed ride of thirteen miles had made me pretty
tired.
The next day we were up at five, for a march of eighteen miles to
Stellenbosch. At mid-day we passed hundreds of re-mount ponies,
travelling in droves, with Indian drivers in turbans and loose white
linen. Half-way we watered our horses and had a fearful jostle with a
Yeomanry corps (who were on the march with us), the Indians, and a
whole tribe of mules which turned up from somewhere. In the
afternoon we arrived at our camp, a bare, dusty hill, parching under the
sun.
We passed a week here, drilling and harness cleaning, in an atmosphere
of dust and never-ending rumours.
Here are two days from my diary:--
"March 18.--Still here. Yesterday we rose early, struck tents, harnessed
horses, and waited for orders to go to the station. Nothing happened:
the day wore on, and in the evening we bivouacked as we were in the
open. The night before we had great excitement about some mysterious
signalling on the hills: supposed to be rebels, and the Yeomanry
detachment (who are our escort) sent out patrols, who found nothing.
To-day we are still awaiting orders, ready to start in half an hour, but
they let us have a fine slack day, and we had a great bathe in the
afternoon. Ostriches roam about this camp, eating empty soda-water
bottles and any bridoon bits they can find. Three times a day we ride
bareback to water horses at the re-mount depot, passing picturesque
Indian camps. Williams and I are sitting under our ammunition waggon,
where we are going to sleep: it is sunset and the hills are violet. A most
gorgeous range of them fronts this camp.
"March 19.--Worse than ever. No orders to start, but orders to re-pitch
tents. Delays seem hopeless, and now we may be any time here. Cooler
weather and some rain to-day: much pleasanter. Only two tents to a
sub-division, and there are sixteen in mine, a frightful squash. Long
bareback ride for the whole battery before breakfast; enjoyed it very

much. Marching-order parade later. Argentine very troublesome: bites
like a mad dog and kicks like a cow: can't be groomed. To-day she tried
to bite me in the stomach, but as I had on a vest, shirt, body belt, money
belt, and waistcoat, she didn't do much damage, and only got a
waistcoat button and a bit of pocket!"
We were uncommonly glad to receive definite orders on the 20th to
move up country. The Battery was to be divided. The right section to
go to Matjesfontein, and the left section, which was mine, to Piquetberg
Road. Nobody knew where these places were, but we vaguely gathered
that they were somewhere on the line of communications, which,
rightly or wrongly, we thought very disappointing. For two more days
we stood in readiness to start, chafing under countermanding orders,
and pitching and re-pitching of tents, so little did we know then of the
common lot of a soldier on active service.
We were to go by train, and the right section under the Major started
about midnight on the 20th, and we on the next day, at four o'clock.
Guns, horses, and waggons were entrained very quickly, and just at
dark I found myself in a second-class carriage, one of a merry party of
eight, sitting knee-deep in belts, haversacks, blankets, cloaks, and
water-bottles. We travelled on till midnight, and then stopped
somewhere, posted guards, and slept in the carriages till