The captured newspapers afforded great satisfaction to the beleaguered company, for they recounted the entry of Lord Roberts to Bloemfontein, the surrender of Cronje, and the relief of Ladysmith. The intelligence was intensely heartening, and the garrison seemed to gain in backbone--not that it had ever been deficient in that quality. But now its obstinate resistance of the Boers was resumed with renewed zest. It must be noted that besides the Baralongs, who defended their own stadt, were four other black contingents--the Fingoes, under Webster; the Cape Boys, under Lieutenant Currie, B.S.C.P., who succeeded Captain Goodyear when that officer was wounded; a detachment of Baralongs, under Sergeant Abrams; and a Zulu crowd, called the "Black Watch," under Mackenzie. All these contingents "put their backs into it," and rejoiced in making things as hot and uncomfortable for the enemy as they could. In default of other amusement some of the inhabitants interested themselves in the Dutch snipers, and began to grow so familiar with them that they resorted to the primeval mode of christening, that of designating each individual by his personal attributes. One would be called "Bow-legs," another "Bluebeard," or "Draggle Beard," and so on. One Rip Van Winkle was particularly admired. Despite his years and his probable "rheumatics," he would take up his post from dawn till dusk, and snipe with persistence worthy a better cause. His patience and perseverance somewhat endeared him to the garrison, and there was felt to be something missing in the excitement of life when it was found that he, like many of his compatriots, had been "curried," otherwise "dished," by Lieutenant Currie, B.S.C.P., and his ever-active contingent. These cheery fellows in off moments were ready enough to exchange jocosities with the foe, almost treating him, despite his barbarism, as one of themselves. The correspondent of the _Pall Mall Gazette_ quoted a sample scene to describe the style of friendly intercourse that took place. "Cape 'boy' to Boer: 'Could you hit a bottle?' 'Yes, I think so. Put one up.' (A hand rises cautiously to the top of the British trench, and a black bottle is deposited there.) "Boer: 'I can't see it. Put it higher.' (The Cape 'boy' balances a hat on the head of the bottle and says, 'There you are; you can see that.') The Boer fires, and the bullet flies wide. "Cape 'boy': 'Wide to the left.' (Boer fires again and asks, 'Is that nearer?') "Cape 'boy': 'Rather high.' Boer fires a third shot that comes through the loophole. "The Cape soldier announces the result, and the Boer, fearing that he will lose his good reputation for marksmanship, and angered by his bad display, sings out-- "'Look here, you rooinek, we were sent here not to shoot bottles, but men.'"