st Observation Hill (a barren rocky ridge on the
north-west of the town), hiding by any tree or stone, but were
completely checked by four companies of Rifles, with two guns and the
dismounted Lancers. They say the Boer loss was very heavy at both
places. It is hard to know.

In the afternoon things were fairly quiet, but in walking along the low
ridge held by the Liverpools and Devons, I was sniped at every time my
head showed against the sky. At 4 p.m. there was a peculiar forward
movement of our cavalry and guns along the Helpmakaar road, which came
to nothing being founded on false information, such as comes in hourly.

The great triumph of the day was certainly the Royal salute at noon in
honour of the Prince of Wales. Twenty-one guns with shotted charge, and
all fired slap upon "Long Tom"! It was the happiest moment in the Navy's
life for many a year. One after another the shot flew. "Long Tom" was so
bewildered he has not spoken since. The cheering in the camps was heard
for miles. People thought the relief division was in sight. But we were
only signifying that the Prince was a year older.

[Footnote 1: Despatched by runner on November 20, but returned to the
writer on December 23, and despatched again on January 1.]

_November 10, 1899._

Another morning of unusual quiet. People sicken of the monotony when
shells are not flying. We don't know any reason for the calm, except
that the Dutch are burying their dead of yesterday. But the peace is
welcome, and in riding round our positions I found nearly all the men
lying asleep in the sun. The wildest stories flew: General French had
been seen in the street; his brigade was almost in sight; Methuen was at
Colenso with overwhelming force. The townspeople took heart. One man who
had spent his days in a stinking culvert since the siege began now crept
into the sun. "They are arrant cowards, these Boers," he cried, stamping
the echoing ground; "why don't they come on and fight us like men?" So
the day wears. At four o'clock comes an African thunderstorm with a
deluge of rain, filling the water tanks and slaking the dust, grateful
to all but the men of both armies uncovered on the rocks.

_November 11, 1899._

A soaking early morning with minute rain, hiding all the circle of the
hills, for which reason there is no bombardment yet, and I have spent a
quiet hour with Colonel Stoneman, arranging rations for my men and
beasts, and taking a lesson how to