General Wauchope hurried home so soon as he was relieved of his official duties, and after a short visit to {157} Yetholm, where he was received with great enthusiasm, he and Mrs. Wauchope set out for Niddrie on Monday, 10th October, by train from Kelso. It was only on the Saturday previous that the villagers of New Craighall heard that the General was to return, but short as was the time for preparation, the determination to give him a hearty welcome was so enthusiastically proceeded with that when he did reach it, the rather quiet and dreary exterior of the village presented quite a festive appearance. Triumphal arches, flags, and streamers floated in the breeze, and wreaths of flowers and evergreens were everywhere visible. It was the home-coming of a victor, beloved by his neighbours, and well known beyond the limits of his demesne. At the Newhailes station, which was also gaily adorned, the General and Mrs. Wauchope were received on alighting from the train by quite a crowd of friends, among others being Sir Charles Dalrymple and the Misses Dalrymple, Mrs. Arbuthnot and Miss Muir, Councillor and Mrs. Cranston, Edinburgh, Rev. A. Prentice, Rev. R. Burnett, Liberton, Mrs. General Hoggan, and Ex-Provost Young, Loanhead, with the whole village, men, women, and children at their back. It was a good-humoured, enthusiastic crowd, and at a convenient part of the road the horses were unyoked from his carriage and their places supplied by hundreds of willing miners, who dragged the carriage up to the gate of Niddrie Marischal, where it was given over to the tenantry. The procession was a long one, and was headed by the school children, preceded by the local pipe band. Then came the Niddrie brass band, playing 'See the Conquering Hero comes,' and after them appeared the members of {158} the 'A. G. Wauchope' Lodge of Shepherds, bearing aloft their banner with his portrait on it. The incidents of the march were many. Some were amusing, some were pathetic, but all told of the loyalty and enthusiasm of the people among whom the General had his home. Bunting was displayed on all hands. Women and children cheered vociferously. At the square of the village the first halt was made, and an address of welcome in name of the villagers was presented by Mr. Robert Wilson, one of their number, in which expression was made of their pride in the distinguished place the General had held in the Soudan war, of their joy at his safe return from a battlefield where the mention of his services by the Sirdar in his despatches for the special consideration of the Queen had caused them the utmost gratification. [Sidenote: Lord Kitchener, the Sirdar]