He had to ride for his life to escape the Boers, who were drawing much closer to the town, and the news he brought was not altogether reassuring.

True, he stated that the garrison were in splendid spirits, and that they no longer troubled themselves about the daily bombardments, as dug-out shelters had been constructed.

The young men, he said, vied with each other in begging for permission to join scouting-parties at night, to pepper the Boers, often, as a result, having a brush with the enemy and several casualties.

All the same, they would return at a gallop, laughing and joking.

There had been, however, several very severe fights, notably one on Canon Kopje, where two very able officers and many men had been killed.