[Illustration: A Battery crossing the Little Tugela.] [Illustration: Naval Battery of 4.7's and 12-pounders at Durban.] _Friday, 1st December._--We arrived at Durban at 5 a.m. and anchored in the roadstead. In the Bay are H.M.S. _Terrible_ and _Forte_; also a Dutch man-of-war, the _Friesland_, a fine looking cruiser; there are also eleven transports at anchor. Inside the Bay are the _Philomel_ (my ship) and _Tartar_, besides a lot of other transports, including my old friend the _Briton_. Durban is a striking place from the sea; very green and cultivated, and with rows of houses extending along a high ridge overlooking the town. It all looks very pretty and one might fancy one's self in England. A strong breeze is blowing, so it is quite cool. An officer from the _Forte_ tells us that Estcourt is relieved and that the Boers are massing south of Colenso ready for a big fight. Our army have apparently to bridge some ravines before advancing. The guns of the _Forte_ and _Philomel_ are at Estcourt with landing parties. Commander Dundas and Lieutenants Buckle and Dooner join the _Forte_ and I join the _Philomel_. Tugs came out at 1 p.m. and took us in over the bar; we passed close to the _Philomel_ and were heartily cheered; then we went alongside the jetty, where staff officers came on board with orders. Commander Holland (Indian Marine) is here in charge of Naval transport and is an old acquaintance, as we met last year at Bombay. I got on board the _Philomel_ without delay and found myself Captain of her, as her Captain (Bearcroft) had gone to take the Flag-Captain's place with Lord Methuen's force, and Halsey, the First Lieutenant, was at Estcourt with some 12-pounder guns. About thirty men of the _Philomel_ are on shore under two officers, and one of her 4.7 guns is up at Ladysmith. I hear that all guns north of Pietermaritzburg are under command of Captain Jones, R.N., of the _Forte_; and, in fact, all the ships here at present, viz., the _Terrible_, _Forte_, _Philomel_, and _Tartar_, have landing parties at the front.