the
convent; on the south-east, Ellis House; and south-west, the Pound, near
which were the quarters of the British South African Police. The
population of the town consisted of some 2000 whites, while in the
Stadt, owing to the presence of native refugees, there were about 7000
blacks.

On the outbreak of hostilities, Colonel Baden-Powell, who had been sent
out on special service to South Africa to report on the defences of
Rhodesia, applied himself at once to face a situation which made demands
on all his extensive capabilities. In the very early days of the
investment he got guns into position and made dashing sorties,
determining to show the besiegers that they would not have what in
popular phrase is known as "a walk over." So great was the versatility
of this officer, that, while these energetic measures for the protection
of those around him were going forward, he yet managed to correct and
send home proofs of a "Manual on Scouting," a work at the moment most
interesting and precious to the military man, while to the layman it
makes as good reading as the "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." In
Mafeking was also Major Lord Edward Cecil (Grenadier Guards), D.S.O.,
the fourth son of the Prime Minister--whose activity and energy were
remarkable, even in a community where those qualities were
ubiquitous--and Captain Gordon Wilson (Royal Horse Guards), with his
wife, Lady Sarah Wilson, a lady of much enterprise, to whose energies
the garrison owed not a little. Among others there were Colonel Hore
(South Staffordshire Regiment), Major Godley (Royal Dublin Fusiliers),
Captain Marsh (Royal West Kent Regiment), Captain Vernon (King's Royal
Rifles), Captain FitzClarence (Royal Fusiliers), Lord Charles
Cavendish-Bentinck (9th Lancers), the Hon. H. Hanbury-Tracy (Royal Horse
Guards), Lieut. Singleton (Highland Light Infantry), Captain the Hon. D.
Marsham (4th Bedfordshire Regiment), Captain Pechell (3rd King's Royal
Rifles), and Major Anderson (R.A.M.C.). There were in addition several
Colonial officers who proved themselves the soul of activity--notably
Captain Goodyear, Captain Nesbitt, V.C., Lieuts. Paton and Murchison,
and several others. Colonel Vyvyen and Major Panzera also worked like
Trojans to secure the safety of the town. Major Baillie of the _Morning
Post_ made himself useful in every capacity. Later on he forwarded a
description of the garrison which gave a good idea of the splendid plan
of organisation adopted. H