EXPERIENCES IX SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE WAR. 



259 



visiting the camps and lnjlding services in them, visiting tlie 

 Boer and English hospitals, and holding services in them also. 

 On my way home I found that the men were suffering from a 

 great want, namely, of literature — something for them to read. 

 The discomfort and unhealthiness of my cabin caused me to 

 complain bitterly on arrival at the War Office, and to the 

 owners of the ship. I was just a week at home, and off again 

 on another sliip. Having found the great want that was 

 experienced of literature for "Tommy Atkins," I put a few 

 letters in the newspapers, begging for some papers, books, and 

 magazines. This happened on a Monday. I asked to have 

 them on Tuesday evening in Southampton, as our ship would 

 sail on AVednesday morning. When I got to Southampton, to 

 my great surprise, I found there was an immense quantity 

 of literature, up-to-date — two waggons full. I had thought 

 I might get a good bundle that I could lay aside and open at 

 my leisure, but found that two waggons from the Post Office 

 had come, and I found also another waggon from the railway ; 

 so there was a good supply this time, and it was pleasant for 

 me to read a few of the pretty letters that some of those 

 kind people wrote. Many of them thought that I was sure to 

 meet their relatives, and I was to say to each one of them 

 what they wished. It was very natural, but I was afraid I 

 could not be in so many places at the same time, and I gave 

 it up ; but of course I did put a notice in the papers thanking 

 those who had contributed. Then I got into Cape Town, and 

 reported myself, and I was asked to join the 19th Brigade in 

 the north-east of the Transvaal. The commander was then 

 chasing; De Wet. I said I would catch him if I could. 



On advice, however, I withdrew my name and ardour to go 

 to the front to chase De Wet. I was then asked to go to I)e 

 Aar, a station where I should not be lying on the veldt all 

 night with but a blanket to cover me ; so I went there. The 

 only ihing that struck me on the way up country was what is 

 called the Karoo Bush. It is a beautiful country around Cape 

 Town for about one hundred miles out, where the Karoo country 

 commences, and if you have not been there, you may wish to 

 know what it is like. The Karoo Bush is a shrub on which all 

 cattle, horses, sheep, and goats are fed — a small bush from 

 6 inches high to about 18 inches. It covers the whole of the 

 ground. But it is a desolate country, and passing through in 

 winter, we find the shrubs turned quite black, and the country 

 looking horrid. I saw it first when it was the very worst time 

 of the year. It was not so bad afterwards, when the bushes 



