The Commander who had contended with the stubborn foe with a spirit of stern determination was at length exhausted. He had put to flight the enemies who at every step had attempted to bar his progress. But now the affair was over, and there was little for him to do; so he was waiting as patiently as he could the return of those he had sent forward to represent him in the proper quarter. Before long he would receive the intelligence for which he hungered. He would be told whether all was right or all was wrong; whether his battle was a defeat or a victory. "Will they never come?" he murmured. "Surely by this time they should have revealed the truth, and made the most of the opportunity." He had scarcely uttered these words when the scouts came back. "General," cried the leader, "your campaign has been crowned with success! Capel Court is itself again! The Stocks have gone up 15, and your success is assured!" And it was. A week later and he found himself a millionaire! * * * * * MEM. FROM MATABELELAND.--Most of the news from the Cape, if not true, is certainly _Lo Ben trovato_. * * * * * [Illustration: EFFECTS OF SHYNESS. _Shy Lady_ (_trying to break the ice_). "WHAT A SAD THING IT ALL IS ABOUT THIS WRETCHED COAL-STRIKE, _ISN'T_ IT?" _Silent Gentleman_ (_also shy_). "ER<--YES--ER--I ALMOST THINK THAT EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE SAID ON THAT SUBJECT--ER--ER--_HAS_ BEEN SAID!" [_Conversation languishes after this._ * * * * * "RULE, BRITANNIA!" (?) ["Her Majesty's Government are perfectly satisfied as to the adequacy and capacity of the British Navy to perform all the purposes for which it exists."--_Mr. Gladstone, in House of Commons, November 7, 1893._ "Everybody knows, Liberals as well as Tories, that it is indispensable that we should have not only a powerful Navy, but I may say an all-powerful Navy."--_Mr. Morley at Manchester, November 8, 1893._] Since "Britain First!" is Fate's command, And History bids us sway the main, We feel this charter of our land All guardian statesmen must maintain. Rule, BRITANNIA! BRITANNIA rule the waves! Out on the Chief who only shirks and saves! The nations must not rival thee, Their fleets below our own must fall. _Thou_ must, if thou'dst be great and free, Still rise superior to them all! Rule, BRITANNIA! BRITANNIA rule the waves! Such primacy e'en peaceful COBDEN craves. Russia and France are now allies!-- Though funny, 'tis not all a joke. As their rejoicings shake the skies, Think how the great Free Trader spoke! Rule, BRITANNIA! BRITANNIA rule the waves! Better that Hundred Millions than be slaves.