He got the letter--that famous one urging him to fly to the rescue of the women and children.

He got it two months before he flew.

The Reformers seem to have thought it over and concluded that they had not done wisely; for the next day after giving Jameson the implicating document they wanted to withdraw it and leave the women and children in danger; but they were told that it was too late.
The original had gone to Mr.Rhodes at the Cape.

Jameson had kept a copy, though.
From that time until the 29th of December, a good deal of the Reformers' time was taken up with energetic efforts to keep Jameson from coming to their assistance.

Jameson's invasion had been set for the 26th.