Mafeking Relief Force defeated the Boers at Kraaipan. =16.=--Christiana occupied. =17.=--General Ian Hamilton occupied Lindley. Colonel Mahon, at the head of the relief force, entered Mafeking. Lord Methuen entered Hoopstad. =18.=--Occupation of Newcastle. =20.=--Colonel Bethune's Mounted Infantry ambushed near Vryheid. =22.=--General Ian Hamilton occupied Heilbron after a series of engagements. The main army, under Lord Roberts, pitched its tents at Honing Spruit, and General French crossed the Rhenoster to the north-west of the latter place. =23.=--Rhenoster position turned. =24.=--British Army entered the Transvaal, crossing the Vaal near Parys, unopposed. =27.=--The passage of the Vaal was completed by the British Army. =28.=--Orange Free State formally annexed under the title of Orange River Colony. The Battle of Biddulph's Berg. =29.=--Battle of Doornkop: Boers defeated. Lord Roberts arrived at Germiston. Kruger fled his capital at midnight amid the lamentations of the populace. =30.=--Occupation of Utrecht by General Hildyard. Sir Charles Warren defeated the enemy near Douglas. =31.=--Battalion of Irish Yeomanry captured at Lindley. The British flag hoisted at Johannesburg. JUNE 1900. =5.=--The British flag hoisted in Pretoria. [Illustration: MAP SHOWING THE LINES OF ADVANCE FROM BLOEMFONTEIN TO PRETORIA. (_The Rand District and the Movements around Pretoria are shown on Map at p. 186._)] EDINBURGH AND LONDON: T. C. AND E. C. JACK. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAAL WAR CHAPTER I THE IMMORTAL HANDFUL[1] MAFEKING, 18TH MAY 1900 Shout for the desperate host, Handful of Britain's race, Holding the lonely post Under God's grace; Guarding our England's fame Over the open grave, Shielding the Flag from shame-- Shout for the brave! Ringed by a ruthless foe Dared they the night attack, Answered him blow for blow, Hurling him back; Cheering, the charge was pressed, More than they held they hold, Won bayonet at the breast-- Shout for the bold! Long, long the days and nights; Bitter the tales that came, What of the distant fights? Rumours of shame? Scorning the doubts that swell, Nursing the hope anew, They did their duty well-- Shout for the true! Shout for the glory won, Empire of East and West! Shout for each valiant son Nursed at thy breast! Fear could not find them out, Death stalked there iron-shod, Help found them Victors--shout Praises to God! --HAROLD BEGBIE. DISASTER AT KOORN SPRUIT