Colonel Pilcher's capture of the Boer laager at Sunnyside is
doubly welcome from the fact that his force was princi- pally composed of Australians and Canadians, who have thus struck the first blow and have been the first to shed their blood on the Western Frontier since Magersfontein. Renter's correspondent, who brought the order to the Toronto Com- pany to double into action, describes with what satisfaction the men exclaimed "At last !" how gallantly they rushed forward to within 1,000 yards of the enemy's position, and subdued his fire. The Queensland contingent, according to the same informant, worked beautifully, "taking advantage of every bit of cover and moving slowly but surely, shooting only when they saw the enemy." Early in the action Lien'enant Adie was severely wounded, but was pluckily rescued by two of his men, one of whom gave up his horse to the officer. The conduct of the Colonials in action has not only aroused admiration at Lord Methuen's headquarters. but has immensely stimulated the enthusiasm for active service already shown in Australia, Canada, and British Colombia,. Hundreds more men than are wanted are offer- ing their services in the North-West, in Vancouver, as well as in Eastern Canada, where many officers have resigned their commissions to serve in the ranks. In New South Wales the troops of the second contingent are undergoing training pending the departure of the transports, and nearly a thousand additional men are ready to start if called for. The proposal to raise a joint corps of Bushmen has met with a ready response, L17,000 having been subscribed in New South Wales alone; Queensland has decided to increase its second contingent ; and similar activity and enthusiasm pre- vail in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
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