e of siege.

[Illustration: COLONEL ROBERT S. S. BADEN-POWELL, THE DEFENDER OF
MAFEKING.

Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.]

At daylight on the 14th, the whole garrison was on the alert. Reports
declared the Boers to be advancing on the south. Firing was at the
same time heard from the north, and Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck was
reported to be in action. While the firing continued the armoured train
was hurriedly got in readiness, and started with the object of engaging
the enemy.

The crew of the leading truck, "Firefly," consisted of a detachment of
the British South African Police and Railway Volunteers, Captain Ashley
Williams himself being in command, Mr. Gwayne being the driver of the
engine, and Mr. A. Moffat acting as stoker. The second truck was in
charge of Lieutenant More, an engineer on the Bechuanaland Railway. No.
1 truck was armed with a Maxim, and its crew mostly with Lee-Metfords.
Truck No. 2, which carried another Maxim, rejoiced in the name of
"Wasp." A third truck, the "Gun," carried a Hotchkiss. The crew of the
trucks numbered barely fifteen in each. The train, after passing Lord
Charles Bentinck's squadron, who hailed it with a cheer and various
humorous sallies, came on the enemy, about 500 strong, to right front of
the trucks.

A fierce interchange of bullets followed, the Mafeking party firing with
such success that the enemy cautiously withdrew into the distance; still
they kept up a rattling fire against the armour of the train, which
careered up and down the line for some time with imperturbable yet
cheerful activity. Presently, however, Colonel Baden-Powell despatched
Captain FitzClarence with a squadron of men to cover its retreat, but
before this could be effected the Boers again appeared, and a determined
engagement ensued. Some sharp fighting took place, and Captain
FitzClarence, though ordered to return to Mafeking, was unable to do so
without reinforcements on account of the number of his wounded. The
phonophore having been connected with the railway line, a telegraph
message to this effect was sent to headquarters. Thereupon Lord Charles
Bentinck was ordered to take his squadron to the relief of Captain
FitzClarence. Meanwhile Captain Ashley Williams and a party of the South
African Police alighted from the train, and went unarmed to the
assistance of the wounded. Among these was Lieutenant Brady of
Queenstown. Soon, the helpless were removed into the trucks, and the
train wa