The Siege of Mafeking (1900)

I have to acknowledge gratefully permission to publish in this book certain articles contributed before and during the siege of Mafeking to The Times and Black and White. To the editor of the latter paper I am indebted also for leave to reproduce photographs taken by myself and published, from time to time, in that journal.

I would acknowledge, too, in anticipation, any kindly toleration my readers may extend to me for the many shortcomings, of which I am dismally conscious, arising from the hasty preparation of this volume. When I explain that between the date of my return to England and this date--when I start for China--barely a fortnight has elapsed, I shall make good, perhaps, some small claim upon the indulgence of the critics and the public.

J. A. H. July 21, 1900

CONTENTS

CHAPTER Page

I. AT SEA 1

II. A GLANCE AHEAD 11

III. ON THE ORANGE FREE STATE BORDER 22

IV. BRICKS OF STRAW 34

V. DIAMONDS AND WHITE FEATHERS 41

VI. TWO DAYS BEFORE WAR 49

VII. THE SKIRMISH AT FIVE MILE BANK 57

VIII. THE FIRST DAY OF BOMBARDMENT 67

IX. THE ADVENT OF "BIG BEN" 78

X. A MIDNIGHT SORTIE 88

XI. CANNON KOPJE 97

XII. A RECONNAISSANCE 108

XIII. THE TOWN GUARD 120

XIV. WASTED ENERGIES 130

XV. SHELLS AND SLAUGHTER 140

XVI. A SOFT-WATER BATH 147

XVII. THE ECONOMY OF THE SITUATION 152

XVIII. A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL 158

XIX. A LITTLE GUN PRACTICE 165

XX. THE ATTACK UPON GAME TREE 175

XXI. THE ADVENT OF THE NEW YEAR 188

XXII. NATIVE LIFE 196

XXIII. BOMBAST AND BOMB-PROOFS 202

XXIV. SOME SNIPING AND AN EXECUTION 212

XXV. LIFE IN THE BRICKFIELDS 220

XXVI. FROM BAD TO WORSE 225

XXVII. THE FIRST ATTACK UPON THE BRICKFIELDS 232

XXVIII. THE SECOND ATTACK UPON THE BRICKFIELDS 240

XXIX. THE NATIVE QUESTION 247

XXX. POLITICAL ECONOMY 253

XXXI. "A HISTORY OF THE BARALONGS" 261

XXXII. 'TIS WEARY WAITING 271

XXXIII. TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF SIEGE 278

XXXIV. THE EPICUREAN'S DELIGHT 283

XXXV. THE LAST FIGHT 290

XXXVI. RELIEVED AT LAST 311

XXXVII. THE END 319

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND PLANS

Page

THE COLONEL AT WORK. Frontispiece

MAJOR LORD EDWARD CECIL, C.S.O. 45

OUTPOSTS AND ENTRENCHMENTS, SOUTHERN FRONT. 55

HEADQUARTERS 68

CANNON KOPJE 98

MAJOR GODLEY ON THE LOOK-OUT 112

EFFECTS OF SHELL FIRE. I. BEFORE 144

EFFECTS OF SHELL FIRE. II. AFTER 146

BOERS INSPECTING BRITISH KILLED 184

THE COLONEL ON THE LOOK-OUT 192

WAR CORRESPONDENTS AND THEIR BOMB-PROOF SHELTERS 212

PLAN OF THE BRICKFIELDS 222

CAPE BOYS HURLING STONES AT THE BOERS 224

KILLING HORSES FOR THE GARRISON 292

THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE FORT 298

"MAFEKING," THE AUTHOR'S DOG 324

PLAN OF MAFEKING 338

CHAPTER I

AT SEA

R.M.S. DUNVEGAN CASTLE, September 16th, 1899.