For the moment lamentations were rife in Johannesburg, and at many a dinner-party unprofitable discussions raged as to what would have happened had Dr.Jameson entered the city.

On this point no one could agree.

Some people said the town could have been starved out in a few days, and the water-supply cut off immediately; others asserted that the Boers were in reality overawed by Dr.Jameson's name and prestige, and would have been glad to make terms.

The practical spirits opined that the only thing which would have saved the inhabitants in any case was the tame ending which actually came about--namely, the High Commissioner's intervention coupled with President Kruger's moderation and wisdom in allowing England to punish her own irregular soldiers.

The more one heard of the whole affair, the more it seemed to resemble a scene out of a comic opera.