They came on duty about 6 p.m., and made themselves thoroughly comfortable on the stoep with mackintoshes and blankets.

Their rifles were propped up in one corner, and the bandoliers thrown on the ground.

There were a couple of hammocks for the patients' use, and in these two of them passed the night.

Before retiring to rest, they produced their pipes and foul-smelling Boer tobacco, proceeding to light up just under my windows, meanwhile talking their unmusical language with great volubility.

At length, about ten, they appeared to slumber, and a chorus of snoring arose, which generally sent me to sleep, to be awakened two or three hours later by renewed conversations, which now and then died away into hoarse whispers.