It is even whispered it will sit quiet at Estcourt, and not come to our relief at all.

To-night is bitterly cold, and the men are chilled to the stomach on the bare hillsides.
_November 14, 1899._ The siege is becoming very tedious, and we are losing heart.

Depression was to-day increased by one of those futile sorties which only end in retirement.

In the early morning a large Boer convoy of waggons was seen moving along the road beyond Bluebank towards the north, about eight miles away.

Ninety waggons were reported.