[Last Saturday (Nelson's Day) was also the anniversary of Elandslaagte
(October 21st, 1899). The part taken in that action by the Imperial Light Horse first proved to the world the mettle of the Johannesburg " Outlanders." It was from them that the Imperial Light Horse, first of the Irregular troops it the field, were largely recruited, and the circumstance had led to the exchange of a Homeric challenge and answer between the Boer and British lines. The triumphant words of Scott-Chisholme, who fell while leading his " boys " in the charge up the hill, are well remembered. Later, the proofs of Elmdslaagte were driven home on Wagon Hill and many another field ; but Elandslaagte came first. A memorial has just been erected on the spot bearing the names of the Imperial Light Horse who fell, with a couplet adapted from the immortal model of Simonides of Ceos.]
Two uplands tell, by ridge and spur, The epic of the Outlander Witwatersrand, how well he wrought, But Elandslaagte how he fought.
There, he reaped gold of barren land : Here, be held iron in his hand, Known for a man among brave men, Of no mean city citizen.
There, towering from the miner's toil, The grey heaps beaconed out the soil For outland men of island breed: But here was signed their title-deed.
Here one small heap, when time shall still The witness of the thunderous mill, Shall mark where some, who won, possess Their Africa in quietness.
F. EDMUND GARRETT.
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