laing’s nek and ingogo. 
689 
misfires. The (now) old practice of pricking the cartridge had to be 
resorted to with a very good result. It was found that tubes ought 
never to be kept in pouches for any time. Previous to an action a 
cylinder should be opened, all old tubes to be thrown away. 
A good vent-server of some kind or other is a desideratum, 
especially when artillery are exposed to accurate rifle shooting as at 
the Ingogo River. This server would enable the No. 4 at the gun to 
be less exposed when the gun is being sponged out and the ammunition 
being rammed home. It is possible that a hollow expanding tube 
might be devised to answer this purpose.* 
General equipment. 
The camp kettle handles proved too weak, the weight had to be 
taken by improvised leather straps. 
The nose bags for the off horses of the teams should both be carried 
on the off instead of one on the near and one on the off side ; as when 
one of these nose bags was filled and carried on the near side, the 
necessary friction soon wore holes. Drivers valises were never carried 
but left at the base, two blankets and a waterproof sheet rolled up 
were carried in lieu on the off horses. In the event of a break down 
in the transport, which repeatedly occurred in S. Africa, the men 
were independent and bivouacked with their great coats, blankets 
and waterproof sheet, which in these cases were always with them. 
The gunners blankets, &c., were carried on the guns. 
The mens 5 necessaries which are generally carried in the valises, were 
put into waterproof bags and carried with the transport wagons. 
The present jack boot, issued to mounted corps, was found quite 
unsuitable for rough service in the field. An excellent and efficient 
substitute, although not so agreeable in appearance, would be an ankle 
boot with a leather legging. If the jack boot is to be retained, a slit 
ought to be cut over the instep, closed with a lace. We were compelled 
to adopt this practice, to enable the men to get on their boots when wet. 
* [It will be remembered that Capt. N. P. Powell, E.A., wbo wrote quite independently of 
Lieut. Parsons, came to exactly tbe same conclusion from bis experience at Maiwand. See 
“Proceedings, E. A. I.,” Vol. XI., No. 7, p. 618.— H. W. L. HV] 
