On 4th August Harrismith surrendered to General MacDonald, and simultaneously a squadron of the 5th Lancers from Besters and one of the 13th Hussars from Ladysmith arrived there, after having captured Van Reenen's Pass and secured it for General MacDonald's advance. The people of the town, mostly Scottish, were jubilant at the return of the "good old times." They had expected to be relieved soon after the relief of Ladysmith, and had possessed their souls in patience through many weary weeks, made doubly weary by the fact that, the railway being broken and the wires cut, no news from friends was forthcoming, and supplies were not to be had. [Illustration: THE DÉBÂCLE: ON THE TRACK OF A FLEEING COMMANDO Drawing by H. C. Seppings Wright] A most interesting account of the arrival of the British troops was given by a smart Yeoman--a hoary veteran of twenty-two!--who had been present at engagements innumerable, and still cheerily endured all the varieties of hardship--cold, famine, and fatigue included--which had fallen to the share of the Yeomanry since the early days of June. This Yeoman, Sergeant H. T. Mackenzie (Yorks Imperial Yeomanry), was actually the first of the troops to enter the town, and thus he described his experiences: "We arrived in sight of the town at 9 A.M., and I was sent on with the advanced guard of twenty-five men under Major Coptam, and we had to make arrangements for the formal entry of the General. We posted sentries on the principal buildings, such as the Bank, Post-Office, &c. We had an awfully good time; the inhabitants crowded round us and insisted on shaking hands, and also brought us tea, cake, and bread and butter, which was much more to the point. I was treated to three lunches and half-a-dozen teas. There are three fine hotels, and I had excellent lunches!" The young trooper's relish of these treats may be imagined when we remember that all the gallant fellows had been roughing it since the 1st of June, spending every day under fire, and living on three-quarter rations most of the time. Mr. Mackenzie went on to say: "By about ten o'clock the people had all put on their best clothes, and had raised several flags. Soon after, the procession entered, headed, of course, by the Highland Brigade. The General stopped at the Court-house and hoisted the Union Jack, while the band played 'God Save the Queen,' and we presented arms and tried to look imposing. This is rather difficult when you have not washed for a week and your uniform is in rags. However, the inhabitants seemed satisfied. The General then took up his stand under the flag, and we all marched by. We went through the principal street of the town, and then marched into camp, about three miles the other side of the town. I was left behind with the guard, and had a very good time.... The ladies brought us out afternoon tea on the verandah of the Bank, where we had a guard stationed." The hoisting of the flag did not take