The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13
FAST RUN OF THE NUBIA
A Trip With Troops to Durham Over
a Year Ago.
Started From Cape Town With Re-
endorsements That Were in Great
rating Scenes Aboard ship-The
Voyage Made Under Four Days.

From Cape Town around the Cape of
| Good Hope to Durham is about four days
| trip in the average steamer This holds
true only when the vessel does not call
at the Intervening ports. The transport
| Nubia, formerly in the Indian service, is
| in no way qualified to rank above the
average for speed. but on an occasion a
year ago last November she made the voy-
| age under four days. She had troops on
| board that were sorely needed at the front
in Natal
Cape Town at that time was filled with
| confusion and hurry. The appearance Of
| the entire city spoke of war. Cavalry and
artillery marched through the streets to
the railway station, where they were
loaded on trains ard hurried up the line to
De Aar Junction-to the fighting on the
Free State border. Battalions of infantry
drilled in the squares On the outskirts
Of the further houses the local regiments
were in camp to receive recruits. Steam
ers and sailing ships OF many kinds and
sizes crowded the roadstead. They had
brought food and mules and troops and
ammunition to the base of operations of
the war. On the docks was scene of un-
firing activity. No one ever seemed to
sleep. and the bright arc lights burned
above the wharf sheds through the night
There the horses were unloaded, and the
guns and supplies Of eEEy kind Some of
the regiments were disefnbarked from the
vessel in which they had come from Eng
land and Immediately re-embarked on the
transports bound for Natal.
1t was late in the afternoon when the
second battalion of the rifle brigade
marched in column of tours onto the east
quay, where lay the transport Nubia
waiting TO sail for Durham The different
companies were lined up on the wharf
alongside the steamship to pass the hav-
ersacks and rifles on board. They had
done this many times. They had seen
service before. The colonel of the regi-
ment, man of quiet manners, with IRON
grey hair and unassuming carriage. lean
ed over the rail OF the upper deck super
vising all. The sergeant below near the
gangplank now and again gave an order.
But for the most part the work went on
in silence and necessarily. The colonel
never spoke.
BY the time the last man of the last
company lad gone below, the end OF the
day had come
An ready, sir?" asked the captain.
Yes. replied the colonel. IL think we
are all aboard now
Let go your lines, there. Mr. Watkins
said the captain. Il think we'd better be
getting out of here while the light lasts"
The steamer glided noiselessly out of
the smooth water which lay between The
DOCKS. then turned on her heel in the
open roadstead. The engine bell rang for
1uli steam ahead. The vessel started for
the open sea. Above the throb Of the
engines came distinctly across the water
the noise ~ the turmoil of the city. What
before this-9hen this steamer was in
dock-had been the creaking of ,aapy
derrieks, the Earring of arms and heavy
guns, the tread OF marching men and
marching horse. all listened to uncon-
sciously in the general rush and rumble OF
affairs was now heard beyond the water
in strong and muffled roar of endless
toll. Persistent. unceasing the wide
spread sound of the turmoil rose I'D above
the city of war. Over the crest of Table
Mountain sheet of crimson cloud tlazed
wrathfully in the sinking suns red light.
The colonel still leaned over the railing
OF the upper deck, gazing vacantly to-
steadily onward into the gathering Clark
ness which overhung the sea.
me next morning the sun rose out of
the ocean. The day was clear with a
fresh wind blowing frou the east and the
transport swung ahead abeam to the
ground swell. her blunt bows breaking the
water into long-drawn swishes of white.
her masts swinging slowly back and forth
back and forth. The city of war had been
LETT FAR behind The last news had said
that the British were being hard press
ed TO check the BOer raiders in Natal The
RlHe Brigade was among the first of the
re-enforcements despatched on a hurry
order to the campaign to the relief of
Ladysmith- What would happen before
the Nubia reached Durham? But Durham
was three days away. Now the transport
was blowing northward through the
first waters of new ocean. A misty coast
line stretched far to leeward Toward the |
east vast eXpanse Of sea reached out
ward under the pale yellow light of the |
early morning The day had come clear |
and fresh.
Up and down the deck the little purser
stalked alongside OF the major at noon. |
and they talked of the time when they had |
sailed together before-On the way to |
India Some Of the officers read the old |
magazines in the smoking room. pale |
biack-eyed captain was huddled into cor
ner in the cushions reading a novel One |
of the subalterns produced BARRIERS clip
ping machine. He stood in the doorway,
swaying slightly back and forth to the
motion Of the steamer. and announced to
the assembled company that he was there
to offer his services if anyone wanted a
hair cut.
4 think I need one very badly" re-
marked the black-eyed captain, running his
fingers through his hair It's getting
rather longish"
A chair was borrowed from the purser's
cabin, and placed on deck. Then the
subaltern began work on the captains
hair
Il say" said the captain cant YOU oil
that thing or fix It somehow; it tears like
the mischief"
The other officers gathered around to
give advice.
ION it," said one
Take ii apart and see what's the mat |
ter" advised another.
But | couldn't put it together again"
the subaltern. Come on now
captain It won't be SO very bad. stand
back all OF you, and give him air."
The subaltern proceeded with his work.
The captains face twitched and twisted
Itself into curious expressions.
"Ouehi Go easy. there"
I'm go easy Keep steady now"
1t won't last more than an hour more"
sand a lieutenant who leaned against
stanchion.
Pray heaven it wont OUGHT"
When the operation was concluded the
could not see himself because
here was no mirror. hut he said that he
eit il Nas unsatisfactory.
There's A gratitude for yout" remarked |