=Bayonet.=--A short sword or triangular-shaped dagger, fixed on to the muzzle of a rifle, which, in this position, gives the soldier increased means of offence and defence. The name is derived from Bayonne in France, where it was supposed to have been first invented. Originally the bayonet was a blade of steel attached to a helve of wood, which was thrust into the barrel, but this arrangement interfered with the loading and firing of the weapon, and to remedy this defect, an elbow and socket were constructed, and the result was the present mode of attaching the bayonet. This improvement took place about the seventeenth century. The first regiment which appears to have had the bayonet attached to its musket was the Grenadier Guards in 1693. Macaulay attributes the loss by the English of the battle of Killiecrankie to the then awkward mode of attaching the bayonet, as the Highlanders were upon the troops before they could convert their firelocks into pikes. The older form of bayonet was 22 inches long, and weighed nearly a pound. The modern bayonet is about 12 inches in length, and weighs 15 ounces. =Beaconsfield.=--A suburb of Kimberley, containing several hotels, municipal offices, court-house, tramways, &c. Population about 10,000, half of whom are whites. =Bearer Company.=--Company of Royal Army Medical Corps for the removal of the wounded from the field of action to the dressing station or hospital. =Bechuanaland.=--A protectorate containing the territories of various native chiefs. The Crown Colony of British Bechuanaland was annexed to Cape Colony, November 1895. It is bounded on the north by the Motopo River, beyond which is the country known as the British Protectorate. =Belmont.=--A station on the railway from Cape Town to Kimberley, 591 miles from the former and about 54 miles from the latter. =Berg.=--A mountain or high hill. =Biltong.=--Strips of meat dried in the sun. It is much used by the Boers in war-time, as it is very portable and can be kept for an almost unlimited period. =Bivouac.=--From _bis_, "double," and the German word _wache_, "a guard." An army is said to bivouac when it does not encamp at night and sleeps in the open. This form of resting has the advantage over tents, as it does not enable the enemy to form any conception of the strength of his adversary.