AN EXPLOSION
Having given up all hopes of blowing up the bridge, Chris and his
comrades turned their whole attention to the lines of waggons. The
train that had come in on the previous evening had added to the number,
although it had taken some of them away with it up country. They now
made out that there were eight waggons piled with cases, that almost
certainly contained rifles; six with tarpaulins closely packed over
them, and these they guessed contained ammunition boxes; four, each
with two large cases that might contain field guns; while the two with
what they were sure were big guns still remained on the siding.
"I should say that about four or five pounds of dynamite would be an
abundance for each of those ammunition waggons; less than that would
do, as we could, by slitting the tarpaulins, put a pound among the
cases, and if one case were exploded it would set all the others off.
There is no trouble about them. I will just take a note. They are on
the second siding; there are eight other waggons in front of them and
six behind, so we cannot make any mistake about that. There must be a
good heavy charge under the rifle trucks, for we shall have to blow
them all well into the air to bend and damage them enough to be
altogether unserviceable. As for the guns, and especially the heavy
ones, it is a difficult question. Of course, if we could open the cases
and get at the breech-pieces, and put dynamite among them, we could
damage all the mechanism so much that the guns would be useless until
new breech-pieces were made, which I fancy must be altogether beyond
the Boers; but as there is no possibility of opening them, we must
trust to blowing the guns so high in the air that they will be too much
damaged for use by the explosion and fall. We have got altogether two
hundredweight; now two pounds to each ammunition waggon will take
twelve pounds. What shall we say for the rifles?"
"Ten pounds," Brown suggested.
"That would take eighty more pounds," Willesden objected, "which would
make a big hole in our stores."
"We must have a good charge," Chris said. "Suppose we say nine pounds
to each, that will save eight pounds; fifteen pounds apiece ought to
give the eight cases which we suppose hold field-guns a good hoist;
that will leave us with over a hundred pounds, fifty for each of the
big guns. Now that we have seen all that is necessary, we may as well
be off and begin to get ready."
The covers were taken off the boxes of dynamite, and these were
unscrewed, and the explosive was with great care divided into the
portions as agreed upon. Two of the cases furnished just sufficient for
the ammunition waggons and the two big guns, the other two for the
smaller cannon and the trucks with the rifles. The charges were sewn up
in pieces of the canvas, the smaller charges for the ammunition boxes
being enclosed in thinner stuff that had been sewn under the canvas
used in packing; the fuses and detonators were then cut and inserted.
Chris was perfectly up in this work, having performed the operation
scores of times in the mines. The length it should burn was only
decided after a discussion.
There would be in all nineteen charges to explode, and these were in
three groups at some little distance from each other, all the cannon
being on the same siding. It would be necessary, perhaps, to wait for
some time till all these were free from observation by natives or
others who might be moving about the yard, then a signal must be given
that they could all see. It would not take long to light the fuses, for
each of them would be provided with a slow match, which burns with but
a spark, and could be held under a hat or an inverted tin cup till the
time came for using it. The question was how far must they be away to
ensure their own safety, and Chris maintained that at least four or
five hundred yards would be necessary to place them in even comparative
safety from the rain of fragments that would fall over a wide area.
Finally it was agreed to cut the fuses to a length to burn four
minutes; this would allow a minute for any hitch that might occur in
lighting them, and three minutes to burn. It was of course important
that they should be no longer than was absolutely necessary, as there
existed a certain risk that one of the little sparks might be seen by a
passing Kaffir, or, as was still more probable, the smell of burning
powder should attract attention. It was agreed that Chris should light
the fuses at the cannon, which were farthest from the others, that
Peters should see to the six rifle trucks, and Willesden and Brown
attend the eight trucks with the ammunition, one to begin at each end
of the line.
When each had finished his work, he was to run straight away in the
direction of the encampment, and all were to throw themselves down when
they felt sure that the time for the explosions had arrived. As soon as
all was over they were to meet at their place of encampment. Tents and
all stores were to be removed before the work began to the ravine where
the horses were, the men with them being charged to stand at the
animals' heads, as there would be a great explosion, and the horses
might break loose and stampede. The matter that puzzled them the most
was how, when they reached their respective stations--separated from
each other by lines of waggons, and in some cases by distances of a
couple of hundred yards--they were to know when the work of lighting
the fuses was to begin. It could not be done by sound, for this would
reach the ears of any awake in the yard or the sentries at the bridge.
Chris at last suggested a plan.
"When we start, Jack shall be stationed at a point on the hillside high
enough for us to see him from all points of the yard. We will show him
the exact spot while it is light. When we start he shall go down with
us to the edge of the yard, and as we separate will turn and go up to
the point we had shown him. He will be ordered to walk up quietly, and
not to hurry; that will give us ample time to get to our stations
before he reaches his. We must all keep our eyes fixed on that point.
He will take the dark lantern with him; when he gets there he must turn
the shade off, so as to show the light for a quarter of a minute. That
will be our signal to begin. It is most unlikely that anyone else will
see it, but even if they did they would simply stare in that direction
and wonder what it was. Of course, only a flash would be safer; but
some of us might not see it, and would remain waiting for it until the
other explosions took place."
All agreed that this would be a very good plan. Chris crawled up with
Jack until he reached a spot where he commanded a perfect view of the
yard, and explained to him exactly what he was to do. He had already
been told what was going to take place. Knowing that the Kaffirs have
very little idea of time, he said: "You will hold it open while you say
slowly like this, 'I am showing the light, baas, and I hope that you
can all see it.' You will say that over twice and then turn off the
light, and lie down under that big rock till you hear the explosion.
Wait a little, for stones and fragments will come tumbling down. When
they have stopped doing so make your way straight to where the horses
are; you will find us there before you. Now, repeat over to me the
words you are to say slowly twice."
Jack did so, and finding on questioning him that he perfectly
understood what he was to do, Chris went back with him to the
encampment, where they remained quietly until the sun set and darkness
came on. Then, according to arrangement, the four natives came in and
carried all the things back to the ravine, and laid them down ready to
pack the horses as soon as their masters returned.
The day passed slowly to the lads. All were in a state of suppressed
excitement, an excitement vastly greater than they had felt during
their two fights with the Boers.
"How they will wonder who did it when they hear the news down in
Natal!" Peters said.
"I don't expect they will hear much about it," Chris said. "You may be
sure the Boers will not say much; they make a big brag over every
success, but they won't care to publish such a thing as this. Probably
their papers will only say: 'An explosion of a trifling nature occurred
on the Portuguese side of Komati-poort. Some barrels of powder
exploded; it is unknown whether it was the result of accident or the
work of spies. Due precaution will be taken to prevent the recurrence
of the accident. Beyond a few natives employed at the station, no one
was hurt.'"
The others laughed. "I suppose that will be about it, Chris. However, I
have no doubt that that commando from Barberton will keep a very sharp
look-out for us as we go back."
"Yes, but they won't catch us. We won't venture into Swaziland again,
but will make our way down on the Portuguese side, following the
railway till we are fairly beyond the mountain range. We can ride fast
now that we have got rid of the dynamite. It will be some time before
they get the news about what has happened here, for the telegraph wires
are sure to be broken and the instruments smashed. I really think that
our best way will be to ride straight down to Lorenzo Marques. When we
get there we can very well state that we had been ordered to leave
Johannesburg, and that, as the trains are so slow and so crowded with
fugitives, we had ridden down. I don't suppose that we shall attract
the least notice, for we know that a great many of those who had
intended to stay have been ordered off. That way we shall get back to
Natal in a few days and avoid all danger." The others agreed that this
would be a capital plan; and the distance by the road, which they had
crossed a few miles to the south, and which runs from Lorenzo Marques
up to Ladysdorp and the Murchison and Klein Lemba gold-fields, would
not be above seventy miles. They would wait till daybreak showed them
the amount of damage that had been done, and then start, and would be
down at Lorenzo Marques in the evening, when, even if the news of the
explosion reached the town, the Boers' suspicions that some Englishmen
were in the hills, and that it was probably their work, would not be
known. Not until ten o'clock was a move made. Then they took up the
packages of dynamite, and, accompanied by Jack, made their way
noiselessly down to the railway yard.
Here they separated. Chris, aided by Jack, carried the big packets for
the large guns and for the eight smaller ones. They met no one about,
and depositing their packages in the right position under them--the
fuses had been already inserted--they returned to the spot they had
left. In a minute or two they were joined by the others. Peters had
placed his parcels under the eight trucks with rifles; Willesden and
Brown had cut holes in the tarpaulins of the ammunition trucks, and
thrust down their charges well among the boxes. All was ready. While
the others stood closely round him Jack opened the lantern just widely
enough for them to light their slow matches.
"Now, you are not to hurry back to the place, Jack; we shall all be on
the look-out for you by the time you get there. You know your
instructions; you are to turn round, open the slide of the lantern, say
the words I told you over twice slowly, then shut the lantern and get
under that great boulder lying against the rock. You will be perfectly
safe in there."
"I understand, baas," he said, and at once turned and went off. The
others hurried to their respective posts, and then turned round and
gazed at the spot where the light would be shown. In their anxiety and
excitement the time seemed interminable, and each began to think that
the native had somehow blundered; at last the light appeared, and they
turned at once to their work. Half a minute sufficed to light the
fuses, and then they hurried away cautiously until past all the
waggons, and then at full speed along the hillside, their
thickly-padded shoes making no noise upon the rocks. Knowing that they
were sure to be confused as to the time, they had calculated before the
sun had set how far they could run in three minutes, which should be,
if all went well, the time they would have after leaving the yard. They
thought that even on the rough ground, and in the dark, they could make
a hundred and fifty yards a minute, and at about four hundred and fifty
from the waggons there was a low ridge of rock behind which they would
obtain protection from all fragments blown directly outwards.
Chris was the first to arrive, for the trucks with the cannon were
those farthest away from the bridge, and he was able to run for some
distance along the line before making for the elope, and therefore
travelled faster than his companions, who had farther to run on broken
ground. In half a minute they rushed up almost together.
"Throw yourselves down," Chris shouted; "we shall have it directly."
Twenty seconds later there was a tremendous roar and a blinding crash,
and they felt the ground shake. Almost simultaneously came eight
others, then in quick succession followed six other reports, and
mingled with these a confused roar of innumerable shots blended
together. There was a momentary pause, and then a deafening clatter as
rifles, fragments of iron and wood came falling down over a wide area.
Several fell close to where the lads were crouched against the rock,
but none touched them. For a full half-minute the fragments continued
to fall, then the boys stood up and looked round. It was too dark to
see more than that the yard was a chaos; the long lines of waggons, the
huts and buildings, had all disappeared; loud shouts could be heard
from the other side of the bridge, but nearer to them everything was
silent. There was no doubt that the success of the attempt was
complete, and the lads walked back quietly until they were at the spot
where the horses had been placed, Jack overtaking them just as they
reached it.
"It was terrible, baas," he said in an awed voice. "Jack thought his
life was gone. Things fell on the rock but could not break it."
"Nothing short of one of those big cannon would have done that, Jack.
Well, we shall see in the morning what damage is done."
The four natives, although they had been warned, were still terribly
frightened. The horses had at the first crash broken away and run up
the ravine, but they had just brought them down again, still trembling
and lathering with fear. For some minutes the boys patted and soothed
them, and accustomed to their voices and caresses they gradually
quieted down, but were very restless until day began to break. The boys
had no thought of sleep. The lamp was lit and tea made, and each of the
Kaffirs was given a glass of spirits and water, for they had brought up
a bottle with them in case of illness or any special need; and it was
evident from their chattering teeth and broken speech that the natives
needed a stimulant badly. Before it became light the horses were
saddled, and the five natives told to take them along the hill a mile
farther. When they had seen them off the lads returned to their former
post above the station. They had several times, when they looked out
during the night, seen a great light in that direction, and had no
doubt that some of the fallen huts had caught fire.
[Illustration: "THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS ROAR AND A BLINDING CRASH."]
Prepared as they were for a scene of destruction, the reality far
exceeded their expectations. All the waggons within a considerable
distance of the explosions were smashed into fragments, their wheels
broken and the axles twisted. The ammunition trucks had disappeared,
and many close to them had been completely shattered. Those in which
the muskets had been were a mere heap of fragments; the rest of the
trucks lay, some with their sides blown in, others comparatively
uninjured. Some were piled on the top of others three or four deep;
their contents were scattered over the whole yard. Boxes and cases were
burst open, and their contents--including large quantities of tea,
sugar, tinned provisions in vast quantities, and other stores--ruined.
Some still smoking brands showed where the huts had stood, and the dead
bodies of some twenty natives and several Portuguese officials, were
scattered here and there. The bodies of eight Boers were laid out
together by the bridge, and forty or fifty men were wandering aimlessly
amid the ruins. A huge cannon stood upright nearly in the centre of the
yard. It had fallen on its muzzle, which had penetrated some feet into
the earth. They could not see where its fellow had fallen. Five others,
which looked like fifteen-pounders, were lying in different directions,
the other three had disappeared. Rifles twisted, bent, and ruined were
lying about everywhere.
"It is not as good as the bridge," Chris said after they had used their
glasses for some time in silence, "but it is a heavy blow for them, and
I should think it will be a week before the line can be cleared ready
for traffic. Even when they begin they will feel the loss of so much
rolling-stock. There were five engines in the yard. Every one of these
has been upset, and will want a lot of repairs before it is fit for
anything again. I wish I had a kodak with me to take a dozen
snap-shots, it would be something worth showing when we get back. Well,
we may as well be moving. The Boers look as if they were stupefied at
present, but they will be waking up presently, and the sooner we start
for Lorenzo Marques the better."
Half an hour later they had mounted and were on their way, travelling
slowly till they came upon the road, and then at a fast pace. Jack rode
the spare horse, the other natives rode the ponies in turn, those on
foot keeping up without difficulty by laying a hand on the saddles.
Sometimes they trotted for two or three miles, and then went at a walk
for half an hour, and stopped altogether for four hours in the heat of
the day, for they were now getting on to low land, being only some
three hundred feet above the sea. They reached Lorenzo Marques at about
nine o'clock in the evening, and failing to find beds, for the town was
full of emigrants from the Transvaal, they camped in the open. In the
morning they sold the two ponies, and were fortunate in finding a
steamer lying there that would start the next day. Being very unwilling
to part with their horses they arranged for deck passages for them,
taking their own risk of injury to them in case of rough weather
setting in. Every berth was already engaged, but this mattered little
to them, as they could sleep upon the planks as well as on the ground.
They found that there was some excitement in the town, as there was a
report that there had been an explosion and much damage done near
Komati-poort. No particulars were, however, known, as the railway
officials maintained a strict silence as to the affair. It was known,
however, that the telegraphic communication with the Transvaal was
broken, and that three trains filled with Kaffir labourers, and
accompanied by a number of officials and a company of soldiers, had
gone up early that morning. Among the fugitives strong hopes were
expressed that the damage had been serious enough to interrupt the
traffic for some little time, and to cause serious inconvenience to the
Boers, and some even hazarded the hope that the bridge had suffered.
This, however, seemed unlikely in the extreme.
Fortunately the weather was fine on the run down to Durban, and the
passage of three hundred miles was effected in twenty-four hours. It
was now just a month since they had left Maritzburg, and as soon as
they landed with their horses and followers they learned that much had
taken place during that time.
They had started on the 10th of November. The Boers were then steadily
advancing, and so great did the danger appear, that Durban had been
strongly fortified by the blue jackets, aided by Kaffir labour. On the
25th Sir Redvers Buller had arrived, and by this time a considerable
force was gathered at Estcourt. The British advance began from that
town on the following day. The place had been entirely cut off, Boers
occupying the whole country as far as the Mooi river. General Hildyard,
who commanded at Estcourt, had been obliged to inarch out several times
to keep them at a distance from the town, and one or two sharp
artillery engagements had taken place, the Boers being commanded by
General Joubert in person. They had always retired a short distance,
but their movements were so rapid that it was useless to follow; and
the troops had each time fallen back to Estcourt. On the 28th the Boers
had blown up the bridge across the Tugela, and our army was moving
forward, and a great battle was expected shortly. On landing Chris rode
at once to the address given by his mother, and found that she had
sailed for Cape Town a week before. Riding then to the railway, he
found that the line was closed altogether to passenger traffic, but
that a train with some troops and a strong detachment of sailors was
going up that evening. Learning that a naval officer was in command, as
the military consisted only of small parties of men who had been left
behind, when their regiments left, to look after and forward their
stores, he went to him. He had, before landing, donned his civilian
suit.
"What can I do for you, sir?" the officer, who was watching a party
loading trucks with sheep, asked.
"My name is King, sir. I have just returned from an expedition to
Komati, I and three friends with me, and we have succeeded in blowing
up a large number of waggons containing a battery of field artillery,
two very heavy long guns, which, by the marks on the case, came from
Creusot, some eight or ten thousand rifles, and six truck-loads of
ammunition."
"The deuce you have!" the officer said, looking with great surprise at
the lad who told him this astonishing tale. Then sharply he added: "Are
you speaking the truth, sir? You will find it the worse for you if you
are not."
"What I say is perfectly true," Chris said quietly. "We only arrived an
hour since from Lorenzo Marques. This open letter from General Yule
will show you that the party of boys of whom I was the leader, have
done some good service before now."
The officer opened and read the letter. "I must beg your pardon for
having doubted your word," he said, as he handed it back. "After
adventuring into a Boer camp, and giving so heavy a lesson to a
superior force of the enemy, I can quite imagine you capable of
carrying out the adventure you have just spoken of. Now, sir, what can
I do for you?"
"I have come to ask if you will allow myself and my three friends to
accompany you."
"That I will most certainly. And indeed, as you have a report to make
of this matter to General Buller, you have a right to go on by the
first military train. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, sir; I should be greatly obliged if you will authorize the
station-master to attach a carriage to the train to take our five
horses."
"I will go with you to him," the officer said. "I can't say whether
that can be managed or not."
The station-master at first said that it was impossible, for his orders
were for a certain number of carriages and trucks, and with those
orders from the commanding officer he could not add to the number.
"But you might slip it on behind, Mr. Station-master," the officer
said. "There are four gentlemen going up with a very important report
to Sir Redvers Buller."
"I would do it willingly enough," the station-master said, "but the
commanding officer is bound to be down here with his staff, and he
would notice the horses directly."
"They might be put in a closed van, sir," Chris urged. "And as there
are so many full of stores, it would naturally be supposed that this
was also loaded with them."
The official smiled. "Well, young gentleman, I will do what I can for
you. As the officer in command of the train has consented, I can fall
back upon his authority if there should be any fuss about it. The train
will start at eight this evening; you had better have your horses here
two hours before that. Entrain them on the other side of the yard, and
I will have the waggon attached to the train quietly as soon as you
have got them in. The general is not likely to be down here till half
an hour before the train starts, and it is certainly not probable that
he will count the number of carriages."
It was now half-past five, and Chris joined his friends, who were
waiting with the horses and Kaffirs near the station. They had hardly
expected him so soon, as they did not know that his mother had left.
"Good news," he said. "There is a through train going up this evening,
and I have got permission for us and the horses to go; but they must be
put in a truck by half-past six, and we may as well get them in at
once. We still have our water-skins; the Kaffirs had better get them
filled at once, and a good supply of mealies for the horses on the way;
there is no saying how long we may be. Willesden, do you run into a
store and get a supply of bread and a cold ham for ourselves; a good
stock of bread for the Kaffirs, and a jar of water, and a hamper, with
a lock, containing two dozen bottles of beer, the mildest you can get,
for them. We are sure to get out for a few minutes at one of the
stations, and can then unlock the hamper and give them a bottle each.
It would never do to leave it to their mercy; they would drink it up in
the first half-hour, and then likely enough quarrel and fight. For
ourselves, we will have a small skin of water and, say, three bottles
of whisky. The carriage is sure to be full, and it will be acceptable
in the heat of the day tomorrow. The remainder of our supply of tea and
so on, and the lamp and other things, had better all go in with the
horses, and everything we do not absolutely want in the train with us;
there will be little room enough. Get an extra kettle, then we can not
only make ourselves a cup of tea or cocoa on the road, but give some to
any friend we may make; besides, it is sure to come in useful when we
get to the front."
"I will see to all that."
"If you will, take Jack with you to carry the things you buy."
"I had better take two of them; it will be a good weight."
"Very well, take one of the Zulus; the other can lead the spare horse,
and likely enough we shall have some trouble in getting them into the
waggon."
That work, however, turned out more easy than he had expected. The
station-master pointed out the waggon that he was to take, which was
standing alone on one of the lines of rails. They all set to work, and
were not long in running it alongside an empty platform, from which the
horses were led into it without trouble, being by this time accustomed
to so many changes that they obeyed their masters' orders without
hesitation. They had, too, already made one railway journey, and had
found that it was not unpleasant. The station-master happened to catch
sight of them, and sent two of the porters to take the waggon across
the various points to the rear of the train, where it was coupled. The
water-skins had been filled and the horses given a good drink before
entering the station, and the stores, waterproofs, and other spare
articles stowed with the horses. The shutter was closed, and the
Kaffirs told that on no account were they to open it or show their
faces until the train had left the station.
In a few minutes Willesden came up with the two natives heavily laden.
As soon as the stores and natives were all safely packed away and the
door of the van locked by one of the porters, the lads went out and had
a hearty meal at an hotel near the station. When they returned a large
number of soldiers and sailors were gathered on the platform. Their
baggage had already been stowed, and they were drawn up in fours,
facing the train, in readiness to enter when the word was given, the
officers standing and chatting in groups. The station was well lighted,
as, in addition to the ordinary gas-lamps, several powerful oil-lamps
had been hung up at short intervals. The naval men were in the front
part of the train, and on Chris walking up there the officer in command
beckoned to him.
"I will take you in the carriage with me, Mr. King. We want very much
to hear your story, and there is plenty of room for you. Your three
companions will go in the next two compartments, which will contain
junior officers and midshipmen, and I am sure that they too will be
very welcome. Before we board the train I will get you all to go and
sit at the windows at the other side. If you will bring your friends up
I will introduce them to their messmates on the trip. As soon as we
have all entered, we shall be at the window saying good-by to our
friends, and no one will catch sight of you. It is just as well, for
although I feel perfectly justified in taking you on to make your
report to the commander-in-chief, my senior might fuss over it; and
although he might let you go on, there would be a lot of explanations
and bother. Have you got your horses in?"
"Yes, sir; we were able to manage that capitally."
"Then you had better bring your comrades up at once, Mr. King, and I
will introduce them to those they will travel with." Chris brought up
his three friends and introduced them to the officer, who then took
them to the group of youngsters.
"Gentlemen," he said, "these three gentlemen will travel in your
compartment. They have seen a great deal of the war, and belong to one
of the mounted volunteer corps. They have a wonderful story to tell
you, and I am sure you will be delighted with their companionship. They
will take their seats just before the men entrain. They must occupy the
seats near the farther window, and as you will no doubt all be looking
out on this side, they will probably not be noticed, which would be all
the better, as it is a little irregular my taking them up."
By this time a considerable number of people were crowded in the
station, friends of the officers and comrades of the sailors, who
looked enviously at those going forward, while they themselves might
possibly not get a chance of doing so. A quarter of an hour later the
officer said:
"I am going to give the order to entrain. This is my compartment. You
and your friends had better slip into your places at once."
As soon as they had got in the order was given, and with the regularity
of a machine the three hundred men entered the train. As soon as they
had done so the officers took their places. The crowd moved up on to
the platform, and there was much shaking of hands, cheering, and
exhortations to do for the Boers. Suddenly there was a backward
movement on the part of the spectators, and the commanding naval
officer on the station, with several others and a group of military
men, came on to the platform. They were received by the officers in
command of the sailors and soldiers, and walked with them along the
platform talking. This was evidently a matter of ceremony only. The
usual questions were put as to the stores, and after standing and
chatting for eight or ten minutes the officers took their places in the
train, the engine whistled, and the train moved on, amid loud cheering
both from those on the platform and the men at the windows. As soon as
they were fairly off, Chris's friend said:
"I have already introduced you to these officers, Mr. King, but I have
not told them any of your doings. I can only say, gentlemen, that this
young officer is in command of a section of Volunteer Horse, and has
done work that any of us might be proud indeed to accomplish. The best
introduction I can give him, before he begins to tell his story, is by
reading a letter with which General Yule has furnished him."