The problem before General Buller when he reached South Africa was a difficult one to resolve. Was he to depart from his plan of campaign and detach a great part of his force to Natal to relieve Ladysmith? If he did so, an advance on Bloemfontein must be almost indefinitely postponed. Or was he to advance resolutely upon Bloemfontein and to trust to such strategy drawing off the Boers from Natal to the defence of the threatened capital of the Free State? But, in this case, how could he be certain that the Boers would not "swap queens"--or determine to take Ladysmith with the 12,000 British troops inside the town, and allow Bloemfontein to fall? It is possible that political pressure decided the problem; but, be this as it may, General Buller eventually decided to move about half his force to Natal. One division, that under Lord Methuen, received orders to undertake an advance upon Kimberley, which town was reported to be in some straits, though the published despatches were cheerful enough in tone. Lord Methuen began to concentrate at De Aar. General Gatacre, with a greatly attenuated force, was sent to East London, to operate in what is perhaps the most difficult region of all South Africa, in the midst of a population thoroughly disloyal. [Illustration: MARINES WITH HEAVY GUNS PASSING THROUGH DURBAN.] [Illustration: DURBAN TOWN HALL. This building claims to be the finest in Natal. It has been fitted up and used as a hospital during the war.] [Illustration: [_Photo by the Biograph Company._ FEELING THE ENEMY. The "firing-line" approaching within rifle range. From an instantaneous photograph of troops actually in action.] [Sidenote: NOV. 1899.] _Climate of South Africa._] [Sidenote: Character of the country.] [Sidenote: [NOV. 1899.]