The relief force was temporarily scattered at the close of the year to facilitate supplying it with food and water. Two brigades were left at Chieveley, two more were placed at Frere, and at Estcourt was Warren's Division. On December 30, fifty Boer waggons were seen returning from foraging in the district between the Little and Big Tugela, but nothing was done to intercept them. Meantime the cavalry and mounted infantry executed frequent reconnaissances upon the Boer flanks. A body of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry pushed out on the left towards Springfield and Potgieter's Drift without encountering the enemy. It was observed, however, that the Boers were constructing trenches and works along the line of frowning heights which fringe the northern bank of the Tugela, continuing westwards from Colenso until the great dividing chain of the Drakensberg is reached. They were known to have bridged the Tugela far above Potgieter's Drift, and even at Springfield and on the line of the Little Tugela they were seen raising fortifications from time to time. Already they anticipated a turning movement by the west and were making ready, with their usual wise prevision, to meet it in the most unpleasant manner. [Illustration: THE QUEEN'S CHOCOLATE BOX. With her customary kindness and forethought, Her Majesty caused to be despatched to the troops in South Africa, shortly before the close of the old year, a very large number of elegantly-designed blue, red, and gold tin boxes containing chocolate in cakes, at once the most sustaining and appetising form of food. Every soldier at the front had a box specially assigned to him; in nearly every case they were duly delivered, and in all they were immensely appreciated. Often they were sent home by the recipient untouched, that they might be treasured as heirlooms.] [Illustration: A REGIMENTAL COOK AT CHIEVELEY.] [Illustration: SERVING OUT CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS AT CHIEVELEY. Messrs. Lyons thoughtfully provided 10,000 puddings for the troops, most of which arrived in time for Christmas.] [Sidenote: Mr. Winston Churchill escapes.] [Sidenote: DEC. 11-12, 1899.] _Mr. Winston Churchill's Daring Escape._]