pressed, with the reserve too far away to render immediate help, the order was given to retire. The artillerists profited by the occasion to tumble the damaged gun down a precipice, saying that they had had enough of repairing it. Here it was found by the enemy the next day. A rush was made for the mountain passes, as it was feared the enemy might occupy them and cut off our retreat, but this was not even attempted, and we were allowed to gain our rocky fastnesses in peace. The following day was spent in climbing up and down the steep footpaths over the mountains, and that afternoon we arrived at the end of our journey, Fouriesburg, having spent something like a hundred hours on horseback during the last ten days. Our first move was towards the river, for we had not had a bath for several days. After repeated splashes in the chilly torrent we bought a few clean things, put them on, and then gravitated towards the telegraph office. Needless to say, our colleagues were surprised to see us, being under the impression that we had long since reached the Transvaal. Whilst still busy giving explanations we heard someone on the instrument calling Winburg. Now Winburg was in British hands; it could be no other than a British station calling. Wishing to gain a little information, we responded. "Here, Winburg." "Here, Bethlehem. Are you Winburg?" "Yes." "Then give the name of the officer commanding." There was no time for hesitation, and in our haste we gave the wrong name. "Go away," came the answer; "you're a way out. Trying to fool us, are you?" After a while we called him up again. "Bethlehem! Bethlehem!" "Here, Lieutenant Sherrard, R.E. What's up?" "Here, Winburg. What's the news?" "That you are a lot of fools for keeping on fighting and murdering your men!" came the sharp reply. "Oh, kindly allow us to know our own business best. You'll find some method in our folly." "Maybe. How did you like the little bits o' lyddite yesterday?" "I believe it slightly killed one mule. How did you like the hell fire from the Nordenfeldt?" "Never saw it. But honestly, why don't you come in and surrender?" "But honestly, what is your real opinion of those who desert their country in her hour of need?" He preferred not to say, but disconnected the wire, and we heard no more of our friend the Royal Engineer. "Pity they were too sharp for us this time," I said to the Postmaster. "Oh, it doesn't matter," he replied, "we caught up their report of the engagement just after they entered the town. It seems they had a pretty severe loss. Ours was slight, but one lyddite shell burst over a group of horses and killed twenty." "And what is the situation now?"