CHAPTER III

.--THE INVESTMENT OF LADYSMITH, MAFEKING, AND KIMBERLEY.

Oct. 27-Nov. 1899.

The Boers seize the heights dominating Ladysmith--The Battle of Farquhar's Farm--White withdraws to save the town--The guns brought off--Dramatic advent of the Bluejackets--Loss of Carleton's column--Neglect of precautions at Ladysmith--The town beleaguered--Condition of affairs on the Western Frontier--Doubtful attitude of the Schreiner Ministry--First act of war--Attempts to capture Mafeking--The Boers seize Vryburg--Kimberley isolated--Bombardment commenced--Stormberg district abandoned by the British--Attitude of the Cape Dutch 35-56

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