In the midst of this national gloom came telegrams full of cheery optimism from little Mafeking--a name hardly known then to the man in the street, now as familiar as Edinburgh and Dublin.

Who, for instance, can forget the famous message which ran: "October 21st.

All well.

Four hours' bombardment.

One dog killed"?
In an instant the gloom was dispelled.
In 'bus and tram and railway carriage men chuckled over the exquisite humour of that telegram.