Thursday, 1st March.—It is again raining hard, and that means wet duty to-night. I feel, however, very much better now, and will go on guard to-night. The usual shots were fired from Big Ben to-day, but very little damage done. One shell fell not twenty yards from the bank front door, but did not explode. A poor fellow named Elkington, however, was very nastily wounded by a piece of a 5-pounder the night before last. Both his eyes were put out and his nose broken. He cried to the doctor to poison him. Though he will likely recover he will, of course, be helpless for life. I am told he is related to the Elkingtons of Birmingham.
It is the general opinion of people here that the Boers would leave us alone were it not that they would be followed and their farms looted.
Plumer seems to be gradually working his way down, and getting provisions near as well.
Saturday, 3rd March.—We do not yet seem to be nearer the end. No news since Tuesday, but we hope to hear some to-morrow.
Last night the Boers were shifting their big gun; we thought they were taking her to Pretoria, but this morning we find she is back in the old position she took up soon after coming here. It is on a rise to the south-east. The object was to shell our trenches at the brickfields, which they have done this morning rather warmly. They are still at it, but so far as we have heard only one man has been hit. He is the Sergeant-Major of the Cape boys, and has done very useful work in creeping up to the Boer trench and listening to conversation.
The nights are becoming very cold, and this morning when I turned in at three o’clock after my guard I could hardly get warm, notwithstanding the fact that I had thick clothes on and my sheepskin rug over me. I must say, though, that we sleep out in the open air, and the dew saturates all rugs, &c. When you come to think of it, Providence has not only watched over your son so far as bullets are concerned, but has kept me from getting any harm from having to sleep with damp clothes on, as I have had to do time after time.
The big gun pieces are coming this way, so I will stop.
Sunday, 4th March.—I cannot remember how many Sundays it is since I heard from you. But I cannot think why I cannot get news through. However, the war news was again satisfactory, and I still believe that the end of the month will see us out of this.
Our men at the brickfields and the Dutch have trenched up to one another, and to-night a collision is expected. For the past two nights the Boers have been throwing dynamite bombs at our trenches, but without effect. To-night, so report has it, our fellows will follow suit, but I hope they will not make a mess of things. The Dutch have been firing at that point all day, and wounded one of our men. We did not fire till later on, and one of the Boers was shot. The big gun is not in view, but will most likely at daybreak make herself heard. We all expect a lively time at the brickfields to-night, and the bullets really all come our way. I am going to church first, however. May God, who has so far been so merciful, protect us all; and may we soon hear of each other's welfare. My wrist still pains me at times, and is sore to-night.
Monday, 5th March.—To-day all the talk has been about the attack on the Boer trenches at the brickfields, which is to come off to-night. As it is now, we have had a party of their men cut off the whole day, and to-night Captain Fitz-Clarence is going to storm their position, charging with bayonets.
I have been very busy clearing up all old papers at the bank, and feel quite fagged; for after twenty-three weeks of night guard and disturbed rest, a long day's work tells. But this is a grand opportunity to have a clearing up, so I take advantage of it.
Any moment now the battle may begin, and I want to be at my post, for it will be fast and furious. I do hope that it will be successful, and that the casualties will be few.
Tuesday, 6th March.—It appears that it was not intended to attack the Boer trench after all last night, but to regain a small advanced post which the Boers occupied on Sunday. This was charged and taken yesterday afternoon, the Dutch clearing. Big Ben has not fired from Saturday morning until just now. The reason probably is that they have had to get a new gunner from Pretoria, for their chief gunner was shot by our snipers on Saturday morning. Something will have to be done at the brickfields, for since Friday fourteen Cape boys have been killed and wounded. So we will either have to attack or retire to the Cape boys’ main trench, 170 yards from the Boers. The trenches they are quarrelling over just now are 30 or 40 yards apart. As I write they are firing away there: they keep doing so day and night.
Wednesday, 7th March. — I have finished tea—a little cold meat and a small piece of bread—and feel as if I were good for a loaf!
The gun has not fired one shot to-day; the reason of this we cannot quite make out.
Talking of rations, I often laugh to think what you would all say if you were to see me carrying a small piece of a boiled mealie and a half-ration biscuit through the street. Very occasionally we get a mealie each, and I generally keep half for a second meal. When biscuits are served out we have to look well after them, for they have a happy knack of getting mixed up with somebody else’s, and we see no more of them!
We hear that Plumer has provisions for us at Canya, but unless he has a very strong force he will find it very difficult to get them in. We are all right for some time yet. The poor natives, however, are dying now of starvation, and a couple of waggon loads of grain would be the means of saving a number of lives.
A runner is expected to-morrow, and I hope he not only gets in, but brings good news to cheer us all up.
Thursday, 8th March.—How excited we all are to-day about the news! Our old friend Cronje captured with his men, Colesberg occupied, Dordrecht taken at the point of the bayonet by Colonel Brabant, and Buller knocking spots off the Boers in Natal. How glad I was to see the Cape rebels punished by a Colonial officer and, I suppose, by a Colonial force!
We hear from native sources that to-morrow the Boers are going to make a big demonstration here to cover the retreat of their laagers; some say an attack, but we know what their attacks are, for we have had so many!
Colonel Plumer is only forty miles off now, and we should have provisions in a week or so, and what is much more to me, he should bring some mails with him.
Friday, 9th March.—The big attack did not come off to-day. In fact we have scarcely had a quieter day, still we need to be careful, and I very nearly ran against a stray bullet to-day. About twelve o’clock I had to go to the staff office to see Lord Cecil on business. I had hardly left the Bank, and happened to stoop down in the middle of the street, when a bullet whizzed over and struck the ground about four yards in a direct line from me. Had I been standing up, the chances are that I should have got the bullet in the head. Providence is indeed watching over me.
We have no further news to-day, but, as far as we can judge, our companions are preparing to leave us, and doubtless they will bid us a hearty, shelly, and bullety adieu, before going away.
Of course, during the early part of the siege, when we were underground, we heard a good many stories.
I give you one or two good ones. On one occasion, during the Civil War in America, a regiment was told off to try and drive some of the enemy out of a certain position, but they were not to risk too much. Accordingly, the Colonel served each man out with a certain quantity of ammunition, remarking, “Men, you must advance against that point, until you are, say, 500 yards off, then volley till your ammunition is exhausted. If the enemy fly, take the position, if not, run back as hard as you can; and as it is pretty certain they will not fly, I, BEING SOMEWHAT LAME, SHALL START RUNNING NOW!"
Reuter’s special told us also of a fellow he met in Kimberley just before the war, who, when the subject of shell fire came up in conversation, said, “I have been under shell fire—it is nothing!” When asked, “When did you experience shell fire?” quoth he, “In the Matabele War!” “But the natives had no big guns,” was the rejoinder. “No, but we had,” was his astounding reply.
One of the officers, too, told a good story which happened last week while going “visiting rounds.” For the last few weeks there has been a countersign each night, and the town guard being made up of a very mixed lot, there are naturally some ignorant men among them. Well, as he approached one fort, “Halt! who goes there?” rang through the air. “Visiting rounds,” replied the officer. “Advance and SHOW YOUR SIGNBOARD!” continued the sentry.
You know, I am very nervous about receiving the first news of you all, as many things might have happened after such a long period; but I can only trust that all is well.
Sunday, 11th March.—Another quiet day, not even firing at the brickfields, where there was no cessation during the last two Sundays.
The Boers seem disposed to be more friendly to our natives, and to-day have allowed the women from the stadt to go some miles out to the fields to bring in wild melons and firewood. I take it as a sign of weakness. They are evidently looking forward a little, and wish to get lenient treatment. A party of Baralongs went after cattle a few nights back, and returned this morning with twenty-five fat animals. They came across a small Dutch fort and had a fight, and while they lost one man, they killed five Boers.
Many rumours there are of Colonel Plumer being near us. We know that ten days ago he was at Lobatsi, forty miles distant, and if he can get the line repaired to that point, he will be all right, for from there the country is a level plain. Some say, however, that a force of Boers from here have gone to oppose him. If they meet him in the open he will make it very hot for them.
As usual now, my duties at the bank kept me this morning from getting to church. But if things remain pretty quiet this week, people can then safely come and do business; so I have suggested that we do no business next Sunday. As the troops are now paid on Saturday, there will not be the same necessity. I do not like the Sundays now. Of course they are quiet, but it seems so unnatural to see the whole town in a business bustle and at sport on Sunday.
Young Webb who was wounded in the early part of the siege returned to duty on Wednesday, and while on sentry on Friday night, was shot through the head and killed. Poor fellow, he was very much esteemed, and will be much missed.
Monday, 12th March.—The big gun has been very active to-day, but did little damage. We thought that before this she would have gone; now the Boers do not look like moving off. I have, however, had a busy day at the bank, and must now to tea, then to guard.
Tuesday, 13th March.—At last we have heard of the relief of Ladysmith, but alas! you have not heard of the relief of Mafeking. There are, of course, many conjectures made as to the delay in effecting our relief. Personally I cannot help thinking that the Commander-in-Chief wishes to keep the Boers here from joining their fleeing brethren, and then when the time is ripe, circumvent and cut them from Pretoria.
Whatever will they do with all their prisoners of war? Surely the Transvaal will not continue to fight when its forces are being cut up as they now seem to be. In the news to-day, no mention was made of Bloemfontein, but some despatches that should have reached us on Sunday, were evidently intercepted, for the news to-day confirms a previous despatch which has not yet been received.
This morning, bullets and shells being scarce, I indulged in a little exercise in the shape of gardening. Of course you can hardly believe it, but the unexpected often happens; and so I must try and get my food in, for some day I hope to have a garden of my own.
Our dear Maggie!—how often she comes vividly before my mind; all her ways and unselfish disposition! Even now it is hard for me to realise that she has gone, and that I will not see her again. But we all take comfort in the fact that she is happy where she is, and enjoying the reward of a useful, Christian life.
Wednesday, 14th March.—The weather has been dreadfully hot to-day, and I have not been feeling very well, but expect to be all right in the morning.
I just went to the bank for a few minutes this afternoon, and coming home lay down and read some lawbooks referring to our business.
Rumour to-day has it that Bloemfontein has fallen. If that be true, surely the war cannot go on much longer. There are now whispers, too, of a movement of Plumer’s force, combined with a force from here, in a few days, but to me it seems hardly right to take a large number of men some miles from here as it is said is the intention. However, doubtless the Colonel knows what he is doing, and we may be certain that he will carefully weigh all his movements.
I am to go on guard to-night, and it will be an early one.
Thursday, 15th March.—We remain as we were, without any further news. Owing to the very bright moonlight nights it is very difficult for the runners to go through the enemy’s lines.
The big gun has fired sixty shells this week, but very little damage has been done. Our bank boy did not come this afternoon to put away the books at the usual time. He came later in the day and told us that his grandfather had been killed by a shell.
Rumours are very frequent nowadays about the movement of troops. The latest is that a column is coming up from the south, and has got as far as Taungs, but such movements are not now credited owing to our having been so often disappointed.
Saturday, 17th March.—Time goes by and brings no change in our position. Rations are to be further reduced from to-morrow, so it is evident that the Colonel does not expect relief yet for a while. It seems that Plumer, though so near, has not a strong enough force to come on with. I daresay, however, he could get in, but unless he can bring provisions he had better stay away and keep the line open. Both yesterday and to-day the Boers have been very quiet indeed, though now 1.30 P.M. only two shells have been fired to-day. It is generally believed that Bloemfontein has fallen, and that the war will very soon be over now. The Dutch clergymen, however, resident here, say that the Boers will fight to the end, but others that know the Boers very well do not think so. Still hitherto they have surprised every one and may continue to do so.
My bank work is getting very close up, and in a week or two it will be very difficult to know what to do to kill time, for the ordinary daily work does not take long.
Since I cleared it up the garden begins to look very nice; the roses are coming into bloom. I fill up most of my time just now with solid reading—Smiles' Self-Help, Shakespeare, and law. I have been trying hard to get also Lord Roberts’ book on India, but so far I have not been able to procure a copy.
Sunday, 18th March.—A gloriously bright day, but we are still sadly depressed from having received no news. A runner did indeed come in to-day, but the despatches were dated February 8th, before the relief of Kimberley. Rumours are concocted very freely daily, and more especially on Sundays. Some people really must spend all their time thinking them out. Natives who came in say troops are at Taungs, but the tidings lack confirmation.
Heavy firing was heard yesterday down the Molopo, which runs west, but so far we have not found out the cause.
My guard last night was from 1.30 to 3 A.M., and at 2.30 I distinctly heard two big reports up the line. It was evidently the Boers making a still further wreck of the railway between Plumer and ourselves. They say the Colonel is very anxious lest the Boers should swamp Plumer, for a large force has, we know, gone up with several good guns to intercept him; and his force is greatly reduced by this time, for at each culvert he has left a body of men to guard the line. However, I think that Plumer will be very careful in his movements.
Tuesday, 20th March.—A very sharp shower, filling the streets and trenches with water, has just stopped, and I have waded across to spend a little time in my room before going on duty at 7.30.
Runners from the north arrived again to-day, and brought more good news. Our troops seem to be following up their successes, and should shortly give the Boers such a lesson as to make them sue for mercy.
We were relieved to learn also that Plumer had held his own against a much larger force of Boers. If it were not for the tremendous extent of line he has to guard, he could come in any time, but he will not risk having to go through the whole business a second time. So now, as far as I can make out, the length of time the siege will still last is the length of time the Boers care to remain round Mafeking.
The big gun has been very quiet for the last few days, and only fires two or three shots daily; and, I am thankful to say, has harmed no one.
Wednesday, 21st March.—A glorious morning after the rain. When we have the good fortune to have such a bright day, we, strange to say, seem to get more discontented. We cannot take advantage of it, not being able to stir down the street, let alone going for a stroll into the country.
Our “pet” aversion, “Grietze” has remained, however, very quiet since yesterday morning. I hope she will continue so, for up till now she has fired about 1300 shells into the town. Only a merciful Providence has preserved us, for in no other way can we account for the fact that the loss of life, notwithstanding the dangerous nature of the shell, has been very, very small.
From what we hear, both Kimberley and Ladysmith suffered greater privations than we have as yet had to endure. Really after five months siege we cannot complain of our food, still it is more by luck than foresight that we do so well. Mr. Weils had a very good stock of meal and tinned beef on hand, in expectation that a large force was coming to Mafeking. Then a large number of cattle were brought from the Transvaal by refugees, and these are now forming our daily portion of fresh meat. Then, too, owing to the splendid rains we have had for the last two months, the cattle have had good pasture, and so have been kept in prime condition. Besides this, we had oats stored to feed a large troop of British cavalry horses which did not arrive, and these are being ground to make meal for our bread. All these, and many other things, are here thus more by good luck than foresight.
Friday, 23rd March.—Darling mother's birthday this is. May He who orders our lives keep you in health and strength and happiness for many more years to come! I, for one, know what a good mother’s influence is, and we all want that sweet mother to be with us for years to come. May the coming years be free from unnecessary trouble and sorrow! I would give a great deal to drop in upon you and give you a good birthday kiss. The nearest I could do was to send you a wire, which I hope you will receive as near the day as possible.
Last night the Boers moved two of their trenches some distance back, nearer to their big gun. “Coming events cast their shadows before them.” And the Boers evidently realise that before long they will be called upon to defend their gun. The change is a treat to us, and all day we have had very few bullets fired at this part of the town. Big Ben has not fired a shot for two days.
We hear that Plumer is at a place thirty miles away, and there should be great developments during the week. I sent both a wire and a letter to-day, which I hope you will get soon. It was a treat to get mother's letter. They are now to take letters regularly from to-day. Siege stamps, and next week siege bank notes, will be issued. I feel too restless to settle down to anything now that we know relief is at hand, so it is a good job that my work is up to date, for I cannot put all my energy in now.
Saturday, 24th March.—The thermometer of hope is up to boiling-point, for good news to hand to-day; Bloemfontein fallen, and Kruger and Steyn suing for peace—of course with suggestions slightly in their favour. But what can one expect after other kind offers they have made?
Plumer’s proximity to us is very apparent by the fact that the Boers are edging closer to their own border. Last night they deserted their trench at the brickfields; said trench has been a great source of worry to every one. At about 11 o’clock our men there found that the enemy had gone, and so a crowd of people rushed for the deserted trench. As they expected, however, A death-trap had been laid, in the shape of a big charge of dynamite, some say 250 lbs. Fortunately, however, Inspector Murray, C.P., and a private found trace of the wire, and following it up, cut it. They were just in time, too, for shortly after the connecting wires were thus cut, the battery was found at work at the other end! The enemy were good enough to leave some biscuits and billtong, and also, what was very welcome, some of the latest Johannesburg newspapers.
Sunday, 25th March.—No news at all to-day, though they say that Plumer is getting more supplies from Salisbury, which are just about to arrive, and then he will come in. We do not know when the southern column will arrive, but should hear of them in a day or two.
Our BREAD RATION now consists of one large oatcake, which is very bitter, and I believe that for the first time in my life I have had indigestion, caused by these biscuits. Still we need not grumble; they will be improved, doubtless, in a day or two, and, after all, considering the siege has lasted five and a-half months, we do not fare so badly.
We find it impossible to close the bank on Sundays, as some people will not risk themselves by coming on other days, even when things are quiet. we have, too, to keep a very strict look-out on the bank, as we have heard of some scheme to rob us. It may be a false report, but, having been warned, one of us is always on the alert.
Tuesday, 27th March.—Everything seems to point now to a speedy release from our besieged condition. We know that Plumer is within twenty miles; and to-day we have further definite news that a large column was at Vryburg on Tuesday last, and then they sent word that we were to expect them on Friday.
The Boers evidently are fully aware of their proximity, and, we suppose, they wish to have a farewell bombardment, for they have been shelling us with seven guns, far more vigorously, too, than they have yet done. Big Ben alone has sent in 70 shells, and now it is only four o’clock; it is highly probable that we will get another 10 before night. We have also had a 12-pounder, two 9-pounders, two 5-pounders, and 1-pound Maxims, all playing on us since seven o’clock this morning. I was just having a wash and changing when they started, and had to run the gauntlet going back to the fort. During a little lull after breakfast I slipped to the bank, and remained in the “dug-out” there all morning. We decided, however, not to risk opening the safes, and so did no work.
It is really wonderful what we can get used to, and we now even smile at shells, whereas during the first few weeks, notwithstanding the fact that we were underground, we were simply miserable.
I hear the Colonel was ready and even thought they might attack. It is said they did advance on “Cannon Kopje,” but remembering the reception our forces gave them on October 31st, they made their advance post 4000 yards from there. They fired about 1000 rounds of ammunition.
According to a Boer newspaper we saw that Cronje stated that he made fourteen attacks, but was repulsed, and we calculate that this must be about the twenty-fourth of their so-called attacks.
There has been quite a lot of forces in town since Saturday, when several copies of the Standard and Digger were found in the vacated brickfield’s trench. But the reading of that newspaper, filled, as it is, with absolute falsehoods, sickens one. This morning I had a reading of the Diamond Fields' News, dated 3rd March, and found in it a good account of Buller’s last advance for the relief of Ladysmith, and also an account of the reception at Kimberley of Lords Roberts and Kitchener.
Runners came to-day from both north and south, but beyond the news of our southern relief column and the High Commissioner’s telegram to Major Goold-Adams congratulating the town on holding out, and our relief, I have no information. This sort of thing we have had from other places at different times, and it is very galling.
Our friends will not likely stay to face the relief column, and I would not be at all surprised to find, on waking up to-morrow or the next day, that they had all disappeared. But it would be a great satisfaction to us to witness an engagement on the heights surrounding the town with artillery equal to the Dutch. We have had some good fun watching deeds between our antediluvian 7-pounder and their 96-pounder. But we want to see them well punished for the many cowardly acts they have been guilty of in wantonly firing on the hospital and women's laager.
Just now things are a little quiet, so I will take a run down and see whether there is anything at the bank requiring my attention.
Thursday, 29th March.—Everything is very quiet, and, except from local rumours, we hear nothing of the movements of the relieving forces. I think it may be the lull before the finale. It is very freely stated that Plumer, instead of coming in from the west as we expected him, is now gone round behind the Boers so as to cut off their retreat. If that be true, the movement must be in connection with the southern column. The natives bring in stories about a large force nearly thirty miles distant—many horsemen in front and many big women walking behind—evidently Highland men. My opinion, however, about these stories is that some local man has versed the natives up to it.
Our food now is not very appetising—the locally-made biscuits with oat husks nearly choke one.
Friday, 30th March.—We are creeping on to a six months’ siege, and even now do not know for certain how we stand for relief. We believe a large force was at Vryburg last week, but can get no official information on the subject. Runners came in again to-day. It seems to have become the general belief that we were relieved some time ago! Cables of congratulation even have been received here! I hope that you have not been misinformed also, for it will be such a disappointment when you hear it contradicted. We are at a loss to know how such a mistake should have been made, unless it is the work of the Transvaal, with the view of changing the General’s plan of action. As soon as the wire of congratulation from the High Commissioner was received the Colonel sent off a message making known the error.
The Boers round us have been very quiet since Tuesday, the day on which they shelled us so much.
I did a little gardening to-day, and enjoyed the exercise. While doing so I came across bullets and fragments of shells.
Saturday, 31st March.—The weather has been very hot to-day. Old Father Sol has been pouring upon us his rays in fine style.
This morning everything was very quiet. Then in the afternoon large parties of Boers left their laagers and set off in two different directions. Some say that they went to attack Plumer, others that they attempted an attack on our west; but a few shells from our guns drove them off. Plumer is patrolling about the north and north-east, waiting for the southern column.
