fire of
artillery, but succeeded in inflicting such losses on the enemy
as compelled them to retreat. In this way they were assisted by
the timely and well-directed fire of a seven-pounder, under
Lieutenant Murchison. The Colonel Commanding deplores the loss
of the gallant officers and men who fell this day. By the death
of the Hon. Douglas Henry Marsham and Captain Charles Alexander
Kerr Pechell, Her Majesty loses two officers of exceptional
promise and soldier-like qualifications. The Colonel Commanding
believes he is giving voice to the feeling of the whole
Mafeking garrison in expressing the deepest sympathy with the
British South African Police in their loss. At the same time he
congratulates Colonel Walford and his men on their brilliant
achievement."

A pathetic funeral followed, the honoured dead being wrapped in the
Union Jack, and buried by the grim light of a lantern, while the Rector
and Roman Catholic Chaplain each said over the graves the last solemn
words according to the rites of his Church. There was no Dead March, nor
were any volleys fired, but the dumb grief of the community told its own
tale of mourning.

[Illustration: NIGHT SORTIE FROM MAFEKING.

Drawing by R. Caton Woodville.]

KIMBERLEY

Kimberley, as has been said, is by no means a picturesque place. On
first acquaintance it appears to be surrounded by redoubts or forts,
being dotted with mounds of greyish slag, technically called "tailings,"
which represent the refuse soil from which the diamondiferous ore has
been extracted. The buildings are somewhat formal and unpleasing, being
for the most part of corrugated iron, and conveying the impression that
they are constructed with a view to being carried off at any moment.
There are a few private residences, which the orthodox house-agent
might style "handsome" or "commodious." The hotel is merely useful as a
place for passengers to alight at and depart from, and that it is no
more may be accounted for by the fact that Kimberley hospitality is so
double-handed that visitors are seldom left to the tender mercies of
public caterers. The Kimberley Club dispenses hospitality royally, and
for this reason travellers are made independent of outside luxury. Round
Kimberley are the suburbs of Beaconsfield, Kenilworth, and Gladstone.
Beaconsfield, which was once a growing town, has become stunted, while