owing two days we remained in the village, keeping the enemy at
bay. We had hoped that eventually their rations would run short, and
thus bring about their surrender. Unfortunately our hopes were not to be
realised; they were only too well provided. Then, again, we thought that
thirst might prove an irresistible force in our favour; but in this,
too, we erred, for in their grottoes was abundant water.

On the second day of the attack we placed one of our guns in the centre
of the village, whence we shelled the enemy's forts, but all to no
purpose. On the evening of the third day we heard that relieving forces
were at hand, and as we had received a message from De Wet to meet him
in Bothaville district, we left Ladybrand at dusk.

During the three days' fighting only a few burghers were wounded. As the
enemy fired at random into the village, some of the inhabitants were
also injured. A young man was mortally wounded, while a bullet shattered
the arm of a woman.

Our efforts were rewarded by the seizure of the enemy's horses, which we
valued even more than their persons. The horses we could keep and use,
the men we had to dismiss again. We returned to the laager well supplied
with clothes and foodstuffs. But for some traitors, who assisted the
enemy, the garrison would in all probability have fallen. These,
dreading the results of a capitulation, held out until relieved.

As this was our first visit to Ladybrand since its occupation, the joy
of the Boer families in meeting relatives and burghers was indeed great.
They welcomed them with open arms, and during their short stay it was
their delight to minister unto them. We shall ever gratefully remember
the hearty reception which was extended to us by the Ladybrand
Africanders. Were they not prosecuted after our departure for welcoming
and receiving their kith and kin?

MURRAY'S COLUMN.

Compelled to abandon the Cape Colony in August, we went to Gastron
District, a Free State village situated on the Basutoland border. There
we intended to rest our horses for a time; but no sooner had we entered
the district than the English column came pouring into it like so many
birds of prey. They had concentrated in that district and in the
adjoining ones to clear them, _i.e._, to remove or destroy whatever
could be removed or destroyed.

During this time we often came in conflict with the enemy. It was
impossible to avoid that; they were on every side. For miles and miles
it