THE SIEGE OF MAFEKING
BY
J. ANGUS HAMILTON
METHUEN & CO., 36 ESSEX STREET W.C., LONDON, 1900
PREFATORY NOTE
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
AT SEA
A GLANCE AHEAD
ON THE ORANGE FREE STATE BORDER
BRICKS OF STRAW
DIAMONDS AND WHITE FEATHERS
TWO DAYS BEFORE WAR
THE SKIRMISH AT FIVE MILE BANK
THE FIRST DAY OF BOMBARDMENT
THE ADVENT OF "BIG BEN"
A MIDNIGHT SORTIE
CANNON KOPJE
A RECONNAISSANCE
THE TOWN GUARD
WASTED ENERGIES
SHELLS AND SLAUGHTER
A SOFT-WATER BATH
THE ECONOMY OF THE SITUATION
A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL
A LITTLE GUN PRACTICE
THE ATTACK UPON GAME TREE
THE ADVENT OF THE NEW YEAR
NATIVE LIFE
BOMBAST AND BOMB-PROOFS
SOME SNIPING AND AN EXECUTION
LIFE IN THE BRICKFIELDS
FROM BAD TO WORSE
THE FIRST ATTACK UPON THE BRICKFIELDS
THE SECOND ATTACK UPON THE BRICKFIELDS
THE NATIVE QUESTION
POLITICAL ECONOMY
"A HISTORY OF THE BARALONGS"
'TIS WEARY WAITING
TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF SIEGE
THE EPICUREAN'S DELIGHT
THE LAST FIGHT
RELIEVED AT LAST
THE END
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND PLANS
THE COLONEL AT WORK
MAJOR LORD EDWARD CECIL, C.S.O
OUTPOSTS AND ENTRENCHMENTS, SOUTHERN FRONT
HEADQUARTERS
CANNON KOPJE
MAJOR GODLEY ON THE LOOK-OUT
EFFECTS OF SHELL FIRE. I. BEFORE
EFFECTS OF SHELL FIRE. II. AFTER
BOERS INSPECTING BRITISH KILLED
THE COLONEL ON THE LOOK-OUT
WAR CORRESPONDENTS AND THEIR BOMB-PROOF SHELTERS
PLAN OF THE BRICKFIELDS
CAPE BOYS HURLING STONES AT THE BOERS
KILLING HORSES FOR THE GARRISON
THE BRITISH SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE FORT
"MAFEKING," THE AUTHOR'S DOG
PLAN OF MAFEKING
