One
surprising revenge the Boers had, for by an extraordinary chance
one of the few men killed by their gun was the ingenious Labram who
had constructed the 28-pounder. By an even more singular chance,
Leon, who was responsible for bringing the big Boer gun, was struck
immediately afterwards by a long-range rifle-shot from the
garrison.
The historian must be content to give a tame account of the siege
of Kimberley, for the thing itself was tame. Indeed 'siege' is a
misnomer, for it was rather an investment or a blockade. Such as it
was, however, the inhabitants became very restless under it, and
though there were never any prospects of surrender the utmost
impatience began to be manifested at the protracted delay on the
part of the relief force. It was not till later that it was
understood how cunningly Kimberley had been used as a bait to hold
the enemy until final preparations had been made for his
destruction.
And at last the great day came. It is on record how dramatic was
the meeting between the mounted outposts of the defenders and the
advance guard of the relievers, whose advent seems to have been
equally unexpected by friend and foe. A skirmish was in progress on
February 15th between a party of the Kimberley Light Horse and of
the Boers, when a new body of horsemen, unrecognised by either
side, appeared upon the plain and opened fire upon the enemy. One
of the strangers rode up to the patrol. 'What the dickens does K.L.
H. mean on your shoulder-strap?' he asked. 'It means Kimberley
Light Horse. Who are you?' 'I am one of the New Zealanders.'
Macaulay in his wildest dream of the future of the much-quoted New
Zealander never pictured him as heading a rescue force for the
relief of a British town in the heart of Africa.
The population had assembled to watch the mighty cloud of dust
which rolled along the south-eastern horizon. What was it which
swept westwards within its reddish heart? Hopeful and yet fearful
they saw the huge bank draw nearer and nearer. An assault from the
whole of Cronje's army was the thought which passed through many a
mind. And then the dust-cloud thinned, a mighty host of horsemen
spurred out from it, and in the extended far-flung ranks the glint
of spearheads and the gleam of scabbards told of the Hussars and
Lancers, while denser banks on either flank marked the position of
the whirling guns. Wearied and spent with a hundred miles' ride the
dusty riders and the panting, dripping horses took fresh heart as
they saw the broad city before them, and swept with martial rattle
and jingle towards the cheering crowds.
