f the highest
interest of the position in the town, and suggests the sufferings,
while it does justice to the splendid spirit of the garrison:--

_February 10._--Heliograph signals have been twinkling spasmodically,
but their language is written in a sealed book. We only know that these
"helios" come not from kopjes this side of Tugela, nor from the former
signal-station south of Potgieter's and Skiet's Drifts, as they did a
few days ago, but from hills near Weenen, as in the months before Buller
crossed the Tugela, thus indicating a retrograde movement. It may be a
hopeful sign of communication with some flanking column away eastward,
and therefore kept secret, but we have our doubts. Depression sets in
again, and, as always happens when there is bad news or dread of it, the
death-rate at Intombi Hospital camp has gone up to fifteen in a single
day. Since the date of investment four hundred and eighty patients have
died there from all causes. It does not seem a large proportion out of
the eighteen thousand under treatment from time to time, but it is very
high in view of the fact that we have only had thirty-six soldiers and
civilians in all killed by the thousands of shells that have been hurled
at us in fifteen weeks.

The market's sensitive pulse also shows that there is a suspicion of
something wrong. Black tobacco in small quantities may still be had by
those who care to pay forty-five shillings for a half-pound cake of it,
as one Sybarite did to-day. A box of fifty inferior cigars sold for
L6:10s., a packet of ten Virginia cigarettes for twenty-five shillings,
and eggs at forty-eight shillings a dozen. Soldiers who cannot hope to
supplement their meagre rations by private purchases at this rate stroll
about the streets languid, hungry, silent. There is no laughter among
them.

_February 12._--The enemy have done a courteous, kindly thing in
allowing Mrs. Doveton, whose husband lies wounded and dying at Intombi,
to pass through their lines. Not only so, but the General placed an
ambulance-cart at her disposal, with an escort, from whom she received
every mark of respectful sympathy. Yet Major Doveton was well known as
one of their most strenuous opponents, a prominent member of the Reform
Committee, and a leader who has played his part manfully in every fight
where the Imperial Light Horse has been engaged. He was badly wounded
among the band of heroes who held Waggon Hill.

_February 13._--Good new