To this they agreed, so I indited the following letter, couched in terms which the secretary might peruse: "_December 2, 1899._ "MY DEAR GORDON, "I am at the laager.

General Snyman will not give me a pass unless Colonel Baden-Powell will exchange me for a Mr.Petrus Viljoen.

I am sure this is impossible, so I do not ask him formally.

I am in a great fix, as they have very little meal left at Setlagoli or the surrounding places.

I am very kindly looked after here." I then went to sleep in my strange surroundings, with small hope of any success from my application to Mafeking.