Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-28

(3y Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot.)
Chieveley Campo, Natal. Dec. 25.-Al-
though the two armies were in sight OF
each other with the temperature 1O2 de-
grces in the shade, the British to-day
enjoyed characteristic Christmas cheer.
Gleenfell and Kirkwood, OF the South
African Light Horse. left here yester-
day to inspect the patrols along the
Eastern hills. Their horses returned al
night alone.
Colonel Donald, of the Royal Tusi-
licrs. has had his collar bone broken
by being thrown from his horse while
on outpost duty.
SITUATION UNCHANGED
London. Dec. 1.-THE War Office here
mas received the following dispatch
from Cape Town, dated Tuesday, De-
ccmber .26:
mere Is no change in the situation
Methuen reports that the cnemys force
has Increased and is engaged in en-
!rehching three and q half miles from
his outlying pickets.
"Mcthuen accommodated with two
squadrons of mounted infantry for TWO
miles along the line and drew the fire
OF iour guns and two Vicker's machine
guns. -Four horses were hit
Ihe queens Christmas message was
received with enthusiasm.
Gatacro is cndenvoring to reonen
communication With The 1ndwc col
lieries." t4
ORDERED TO THE FRONT.
Halifax. n. s.. Dec. GA cabicgran
received from England to-day nv The
military authorities here orders the
l-einstcr Regiment, known as the ROYAL
Canadians. now doing duty on This
station to sal! on January 10 for duty
In South Africa.
MAFEkING RELIEF FORCE
London. Dec. 27.-Thc Rhodes,an
h!afek!ns relief force. according to n
dispatch from Mochud. Newfoundland.
dated Saturday. December 1G, was pro-
Hressing slowly, owing 10 the neccs-
SHY OF repairing the bridges. averaging
one per mile.
added. shows that twenty Beers were
Killed and many wounded during the
British attack OH tho Sequani laager.
LIEUT.. CHURCH1LLs ESCAPE.
Mr.. Winston Spencer Churchill has
cabled and the Morning Post publishes
to-day an account OF his escape from
captivity with the Beers. after having
been made Il prisoner in the recon
nuisance OF an armOrcd train at Est
court.
The dispatch, which is datoa-I.ou-
rcnZo Marques, December 81, says:
In the evening L concealed myself
III Il railway truck under IL great pile
OF sacks. had small store OF good
water. The Beers searched the train
at lionatipoort, but did not search
deep enough. After some sixty hours
of misery. I came safely here. | am
very weak, but am free. L have lost
many pounds in weight, but am light
in heart. I shall avail myself OF every
opportunity hcnceforth 10 urge ear
nestly the unilinchng and uncompro-
missing prosecution of the war.
On the afternoon Of Dec mber IL the
Transvaal's Secretary OF War inform
ed ME that there was little chance OF
my release. 1, therefore, resolved to
escape, and the same night I left the
State Schools Prison in Pretoria by
climbing The wall when the sentrics
backs were turned momcntarily I
walked through the streets of the town
without disguise, meeting many burgh-
ers. but was not challenged In the
crowd. I got through the pickets of the
Town guards and struck the Delagoa
Bay railroad. I walked along it, evad-
ing the watchers at the bridges and Gull
rerts. and waited for q train beyond
the first station. The 11:1O goods train
from Pretoria had arrived before I
reached the place, and was moving at
full speed I boarded 1t with great
difficulty and hid under coal sacks. l
Jumped from the train before dawn,
and was sheltered during the day In
small wood, in company with a huge
vulture. who displayed a lively interest
IN me.
Il walked on at dusk There were
40 more trains that night. The danger
OF meeting the guards OF the line con-
tihued. but l was obliged TO follow it,
as had no compass or map. ] had 10
make wide detoursl to avoid bridges,
stations and huts, and so my progress
was very slow. Chocolate is NOT satig-
Tying food. The outlook wns gloomy
but perservcred. wi Gods help. For
five days my food supply was very pre-
carious. / WAS lying up by daylight
and walking by night.
Meanwhile my escape had been dis
covered and my description telegraphed
everywhere. All trains were searched
and every one was on tn watch for me
Four times the wrong people were ar
rested.
The sixth day managed to board a
train beyond Mdlleburg, from whence
there was direct service to Dclagoa."
OFF FOR DURHAM.
I.0UrnNyO Mnrunss Narap,bar