The Relief Of Ladysmith Stirred The People Of The Empire As
Nothing, Save Perhaps The Subsequent Relief Of Mafeking, Has Done
During Our Generation.
Even sober unemotional London found its soul
for once and fluttered with joy.
Men, women, and children, rich and
poor, clubman and cabman, joined in the universal delight. The
thought of our garrison, of their privations, of our impotence to
relieve them, of the impending humiliation to them and to us, had
lain dark for many months across our spirits. It had weighed upon
us, until the subject, though ever present in our thoughts, was too
painful for general talk. And now, in an instant, the shadow was
lifted. The outburst of rejoicing was not a triumph over the
gallant Boers. But it was our own escape from humiliation, the
knowledge that the blood of our sons had not been shed in vain,
above all the conviction that the darkest hour had now passed and
that the light of peace was dimly breaking far away - that was why
London rang with joy bells that March morning, and why those bells
echoed back from every town and hamlet, in tropical sun and in
Arctic snow, over which the flag of Britain waved.
CHAPTER 18.
THE SIEGE AND RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.
It has already been narrated how, upon the arrival of the army
corps from England, the greater part was drafted to Natal, while
some went to the western side, and started under Lord Methuen upon
the perilous enterprise of the relief of Kimberley.
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