Hush! Here comes the show." I looked and saw a body of blackcoated gentlemen with one officer in the uniform of a Colonel of Engineers, advancing slowly.

I remember that it reminded me of a funeral procession following the corpse of the Republic that had gone on ahead out of sight.
The procession arrived upon the stoep opposite to us and began to sort itself out, whereon the English present raised a cheer and the Boers behind us cursed audibly.

In the middle appeared an elderly gentleman with whiskers and a stoop, in whom I recognized Mr.Osborn, known by the Kaffirs as Malimati, the Chief of the Staff.

By his side was a tall young fellow, yourself, my friend, scarcely more than a lad then, carrying papers.

The rest stood to right and left in a formal line.