Now we are thrown back into vague uncertainty, and seem no nearer to the end.
All the correspondents were summoned at noon to the Intelligence Office.
That the Intelligence should tell us anything at all was so unprecedented that we felt the occasion was solemn.

Major Altham then read out the General Order, briefly stating that General Buller had failed in "his first attack at Colenso," and we could not be relieved as soon as was expected.

All details were refused.

We naturally presume the situation is worse than represented.

Each of us was allowed to send a brief heliogram, balloting for turn.