antagonists in turn. It made better practice than I have yet seen, and burst its huge shells within fifteen and twenty yards of the guns. When the smoke from its muzzle was seen, our gun detachments laid down, but the explosion and smoke of the big shells had not died away before "boom," through the smoke, came the derisive return of its tiny antagonist, showing "a miss to the Boers." The guns took no notice of Creaky after the first shot, but concentrated their attention on the trenches, leaving her to be soothed by musketry volleys. Our shell fire had a most quieting effect on the occupants of the trenches, and we had to stir them up by sniping their individuals, and then when they woke up a bit the Maxims assisted in calming their unruly spirits again. Altogether a most enjoyable morning. It is so dull being shot at without answering, but when one’s own guns keep the game going, it is quite another thing. This lasted till about 6.30. Just to prevent their being too much taken up by any amusements they might have contemplated, to celebrate the day, our guns fired a few rounds again at noon, but the big gun only answered with a few rounds, and after a feeble spatter of musketry we knocked off. On the western front, about dusk, our seven-pounder, under Captain Sandford, knocked out their five-pounder, and they dismantled their fort and withdrew to a more retired position. [Illustration: REMOVING THE EFFECTS OF A BOER SHELL.] We have advanced our seven-pounder to Fort Ayr, and hope to repeat the process. The first of our shells burst right among them whilst they were outside making coffee. 17th, Sunday. We had a handicap polo tournament. Here are the teams and the result from _The Mafeking Mail_:-- No. I.−−Colonel Baden−Powell (Captain), Captain Gordon Wilson, Captain Singleton, Lieutenant Hon. A. Hanbury−Tracey. No. II.−−Captain Lord C. Cavendish−Bentinck (Captain), Lieutenant−Colonel Walford, Major Anderson, Lieutenant Mackenzie. No. III.−−Lieutenant−Colonel Hore (Captain), Captain Sandford, Captain Vernon, Lieutenant Bridges. No. IV.−−Major Godley (Captain), Major Goold−Adams, C.B., C.M.G., Captain Fitzclarence, Lieutenant Moncreiffe. No. V.−−Major Baillie (Captain), Captain Marsh, Captain Cowan, Lieutenant Paton. *Match.* *Goals scored*.