Our withdrawal, however, was due to deeper reasons.

A messenger had brought news of the column which had unhappily been driven from Dundee--whether by the Boers' 40-pounder, "Long Tom," or by failing ammunition I will not try to decide.

Anyhow, the messenger brought the news that the column was safe and returning unmolested on Ladysmith by the roundabout road eastward, near Helpmakaar.

We had held back the enemy from intercepting them on their march.

Our long and harassing fight, then, had been worth the sacrifice.