Straw and paper possessed it merely, except that here and there a destitute Kaffir groped among the _debris_ in hopes of finding a shiny tin pot for his furniture or some rag of old uniform to harmonise with his savage dress.

In one corner of the empty iron huts a few of the cavalry were still trying to carry off some remnants of forage.

It was a pitiful sight, and yet the rapidity of the change was impressive.

If the Boers came in, they would find those tin huts very luxurious after their accustomed bivouacs.

Is it possible that tin huts might be their Capua?
The camp was thought incapable of defence.