The action of this gun will be readily understood on reference to this section. The block A travels to and fro on the guides C (one on each side). It is provided with a rising front B, which at each stroke runs up the inclined plane E, along the upper guide D, and picks up a cartridge from the continuous belt shown just below the letter M. At the next stroke this cartridge F is driven into the orifice G in line with the barrel and fired. The empty case is then withdrawn, and at the next stroke is forced into the orifice I, whence succeeding cases push it on till it drops out at L. The gun is started by hand, but when once working the "recoil" from the explosion of the cartridge drives the block A back, and the springs K and J then force it forward again. This reciprocating motion is kept up so long as the thumbs are pressed against the springs N. The barrel is surrounded by a cylinder full of water to keep it cool.] [Illustration: LYDDITE SHELL As fired by the large naval guns at Ladysmith. _a_ detonating pellet; _b_ weight; _c_ guncotton priming.] [Illustration: [_Photo by Gregory._ SIGHTING A MAXIM GUN. In this case the gun is mounted on a galloping carriage. Sometimes it is mounted on a tripod, as shown in the illustration at the foot of page 35.] [Sidenote: Dramatic advent of the Bluejackets.] [Sidenote: OCT. 30, 1899.] _The Disaster of Nicholson's Nek._] Early that morning a Naval Brigade, 280 strong, from H.M.S. _Powerful_, under the orders of Captain Lambton, had arrived on the scene, bringing two Maxims, four long naval 12-pounders, and two 45-pounders. These weapons had been taken from on board the ships of the Cape Squadron or from the reserve naval stores, and by the ingenuity of Captain P. Scott of the Navy, and Assistant-Engineer Roskruge, had been mounted upon special carriages which would permit their being handled in the field. The sailors had with them a large supply of lyddite shells--shells charged with the terrible high explosive which had been tried for the first time in war at Omdurman, and which kill, without apparent injury, men fifty yards away from the spot where they burst, by the mere shock of their detonation. The bluejackets had come post-haste, standing on no ceremony, travelling up all night by train from Durban. The big 45-pounders were too heavy and cumbrous to be got into position in the exceeding emergency; the 12-pounders, however, at once moved out to the aid of the hard-pressed Natal Field Force. [Illustration: [_Photo by Pearse._ LADYSMITH AND THE KLIP RIVER.]