Very few of you will have ever heard of Britstown. Yet, like so many other obscure South African townships, this war has brought it a history. Nor is the historical record which has been built up for it of extraordinary merit. There will be many in the ranks of a certain favoured corps who will scarcely treasure the memory of that little wayside asylum. We remember when the papers were full of the exploits and valour of this returning corps--then Britstown found no mention. Yet its associations, pleasant though they may not be, are closely interwoven with its short-lived history. The story is told to-day over the hotel-bars of the little township by gleeful Colonials. Told how in open fight, a handful of rebel farmers--perhaps our friends the brothers Pretorius and Stephanus were amongst them--drove two companies of England's _elite_ every mile of the twenty-two which lie between Houwater and Britstown. The Colonial, clinking his glass,--shallow in his taste and appreciation,--glories in the story, which is writ large in rebel little Britstown to this day, and will be for all time. A militia picket is astride the road. None--at least by the main highway--may pass into the confines of the town without permission. The stolid country lout of a sentry views all new-comers with suspicion. But the deadlock is saved by the arrival of a dapper, chubby-faced youth, clean of person, well groomed in habiliments and gear. "I am the staff officer of the town commandant. What can I do for you?" _Intelligence Officer._ "What I want is the telegraph-office." _Staff Officer._ "Certainly, sir; but what do you belong to? Are you with the main column?" _I. O._ "Dear me, no. I have just come in from the New Cavalry Brigade!" _S. O._ "Yes; we are expecting you. You are to camp on the south side of the town. Just under the parapet of those defences. Those are our southern defences. What do you think? Brand had the impertinence to send in last night and demand our immediate surrender. That we, Britstown, should surrender----!" _I. O._ (_brutally_) "And did you? Look here; you will have to wait until the general comes in for your camping arrangements. All I want is the telegraph-office." _S. O._ "Of course we did not surrender. Why, we have made this place impregnable. There are three companies of my regiment here, to say nothing of the local town-guard." _I. O._ "Oh, hang the town-guard! You trot along and find the chief of our staff. I have other things to think about. By the way, has the rest of the New Cavalry Brigade come in here? The Mount Nelson Light Horse--they are marching from Hanover Road?" _S. O._ "No; but there is some ox-transport for you with the Supply column. How far back is your general?" _I. O._ "About three miles. Thanks." (_Intelligence Officer and the Tiger canter on._) _Tiger._ "Please, sir, did he say that the De Aar column was in?" _I. O._ "Yes. Why?"