THE BOERS' GOOD-NIGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 71

THE BOERS' GOOD-NIGHT.

A faint yellow glow comes from the British camp. Where all was bustle oncl stir an hour ago quietness now reigns, broken only by a short laugh at intervals, which becomes a chorus as the droning voice of a soldier ceases at the point of his story and the men "catch on.'' In each tent the rifles are set round the pole in the centre, and on the top of them a candle flickers, throwing an uncertain light on the circle of red faces round the canvas, where the men lie shoulder to shoulder, their feet in the shadow near the guns. In some tents a story is being told, in others ths war discussed or chaffing indulged in. Suddenly the bugle sounds a long-drawn not€ across the camp — it is the "Lights out." Before it has died away a shower of bullets falls among the tents. Phuff! phuff! Crackle ! crackle ! It is a last salute from the enemy — the Boers' good-night. Instantly the lights are put out, a few groans are heard, and the shower ceases as suddenly as it commenced. There is a few minutes' pause while the night seems to hold its breath, then from the far end of the camp a voice calls out : "Anybody killed in Number One?" The sentries stop their walk and listen ; the night breeza cr.mes over the plain, bending the grass. •'All right in Number One ! Anyone killed! in Number Two?" A pause again. Al .shadow or two move about the ground. "All right in Number Two, . Anybody killed in Number Three?" The moon drifts out from the clouds a moment, showin;' the white tents. . "All right in Num.. her Three. Anybody killed in Numbei Four?"' A light suddenly glares* out from one of the tents, and figures move across tLe opening whence it comes. There is a long pause ; the sentiies, who had resumed their walk, (-top and listen. "I say, you chaps ! Anybody killed in Number Four?" As the voice stops the answer comes. "Private Brown in Number Four." "Private Brown in Number Four. Anybody in Number Five?"' The call is taken up again and goes up and down the lines of Cents, now near, now far ; now pausing, now going on again, till the last tent haa answered call for call, and the list of the dead is told. Movements are made about some of the tents, which gradually cease. Silence stills down again. The tired men turn over and go to sleep. The sentries pass back and forward. The lights are out. — A. H. 8., in the Outlook.