ive notice that during that time I
shall be ready to receive all Afrikander families who wish to
remove from Kimberley, and also to offer liberty to depart to
all women and children of other nations desirous of leaving."

The Boers soon began to receive the reinforcements which have been
mentioned. These came from the direction of Mafeking, that place having
proved too much a "spitfire" for their liking. As a last resource, they
directed their attention to Kimberley, and by way of exercise blew up
some L3000 worth of dynamite which was stored in some huts belonging to
the De Beers Company. While these exciting events were taking place, and
with the roar of intermittent explosions in his ears, Mr. Rhodes pursued
a placid way. His labours were eminently horticultural--at least so they
appeared on the surface. He engaged himself at Kenilworth, the suburb
which he may be said to have created, in planting an avenue a mile long
with orange-trees, espalier vines, and pepper-trees. It was called his
Siege Avenue. There was suggestion in the arrangement, and the mind
instinctively conjured up visions of mystery--mystery somewhat prolonged
and clinging, with spice of a stimulating kind thrown in.

News from the Orange River, which came in by fits and starts, hinted
that after the evacuation of Colesberg would come the abandonment of
Stormberg. Stormberg was intended to be the depot where stores, tents,
ammunition, and all the commissariat details of the Third Division under
General Gatacre would be accumulated. These stores, owing to the Boer
advance from Bethulie and Aliwal North, were now being removed to
Queenstown, some sixty miles down the line.

CHAPTER III

NATAL

In consequence of the incursion of about 3000 refugees--some of them
most undesirable in character--it was deemed expedient to issue a
proclamation of martial law in Natal. This was followed by the seizure
of the Transvaal National Bank at Durban, a most exciting episode, which
caused quite a ferment in the town. All around the offices a curious and
somewhat rowdy rabble congregated, and it was found necessary to guard
the premises with Bluejackets and marines. However, after the place had
been searched, the men, looking strangely transmogrified in their
kharki, returned to Her Majesty's ship _Tartar_, and affairs went on as
usual. At the Cape, owing to widespread rumours of