With Seven Generals In The Boer War A Personal Narrative PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... WITH SEVEN GENERALS IN THE BOER WAR. CHAPTER I. SOUTHAMPTON TO CAPE TOWN. It was a quarter past one in the afternoon of Friday, October 13, 1899, when it was decided that I should embark for South Africa upon the following day, as special correspondent of the Times, with Sir Eedvers Buller's Headquarters. The bustle and worry of the next few hours defy description, and, at all events, the chief point is that I succeeded in collecting a reasonably complete kit and in catching the steamer. The departure from Southampton was an experience that is unlikely to fade from the memory of any who witnessed it. The ovation that hailed Sir Eedvers as he went on board was tremendous; but the really dramatic incident was to follow when the Dunottar Castle left her moorings and set off on her voyage. The cheering ceased as if by magic, and the vast multitude of people on the wharfs, far and near, broke into the strains of " God save the Queen." A British crowd may lack the musical refinement of some others, but when the Briton uncovers his head and sings the National Anthem he means what he sings, and his sincerity is so obvious that no room for doubt upon the subject can linger in the minds of any that hear him. It was just 5 p.m. when the ship sailed. The sea was calm, and when the dinner-bugle sounded there were very few who failed to answer the summons. But during the night the wind began to blow, and, by the time we were off Ushant, the steamer had become sufficiently unsteady to compel many to prefer their cabins to the full publicity of the saloon or deck. A good many who ventured to appear at breakfast beat a hasty retreat, and, under the circumstances, it was considered useless to attempt the Church Service. Towards evening the weather...