In defence of themselves against some inconvenience which Mr. Burleigh had complained, some telegraphers of the R.E. Corps declared that the staff in Bloemfontein "performed seventeen hours last Sunday in order to remove pressure produced to a great extent by work other than military. Whilst every other arm of the service had been enjoying a brief and well-earned rest, our portion has consisted of at least twelve hours' hard work at the instrument, cooped up in a room reeking with a pestilential atmosphere which has, in several cases, produced violent vomiting. "After all, we can nurse to our breasts the satisfaction that our gallant Commander-in-Chief has been pleased to specially thank the much-despised corps for the indispensable services rendered by it." * * * * * THE FRIEND. (_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) No. 11.] BLOEMFONTEIN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1900. [Price One Penny GOVERNMENT NOTICE. By order of his Lordship the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the British Forces in South Africa, it is notified that Quit Rents on Farms should now be paid in to the Receiver at the Landdrost's Office. Amounts not paid on or before the 31st May, 1900, are liable to be doubled. JAMES A. COLLINS, Landdrost. Landdrost's Office, Bloemfontein, March 26, 1900. * * * * * FABLES FOR THE STAFF.[9] [Footnote 9: Copyrighted, used by the author's permission.] VAIN HORSES. BY RUDYARD KIPLING. IV. A Cavalry-horse of indubitable Valour, carrying a complete Wardrobe Office and Housekeeping Apparatus on his back, met by chance a Boer pony of unprepossessing Exterior. "My ungroomed Friend," said the Horse, "let me draw your attention to my Master's portable Bath, Umbrella, Typewriter, Hair Brushes, Dressing-case, and complete Service of Plate; also to my own spare Shoes and cold Collation for the next Week. Few I opine enjoy such luxurious appointments." "They are indeed _fin de siecle_ and _non-plus-ultra_," remarked the ewe-necked Son of the Veldt, "but You must excuse Me for I see my Master approaching. He does not use Hair-brushes, and I have neither spare shoes nor curry combs." "Then I must trouble you to return as my Prisoner," said the Horse. "On the contrary," replied the Child of the ungrassed Kopje; "it is a condition and not a theory that confronts us. Let me draw your attention to my scintillatery heels." So saying the Unkempt Equine departed in a neat cloud of Dust, from the Centre of which his Master scientifically shot the Cavalry Horse in the Abdomen. * * * * * A BIRTHDAY GREETING.[10] [Footnote 10: The birthday of Mr. Perceval Landon. Copyrighted, and used here by permission.] (29th March.) BY RUDYARD KIPLING. Tell the smiling Afric morn, Let the stony kopje know, Landon of the _Times_ was born One and thirty years ago.