etorius and Stephanus were amongst them--drove two
companies of England's _elite_ every mile of the twenty-two which lie
between Houwater and Britstown. The Colonial, clinking his
glass,--shallow in his taste and appreciation,--glories in the story,
which is writ large in rebel little Britstown to this day, and will be
for all time.

A militia picket is astride the road. None--at least by the main
highway--may pass into the confines of the town without permission.
The stolid country lout of a sentry views all new-comers with
suspicion. But the deadlock is saved by the arrival of a dapper,
chubby-faced youth, clean of person, well groomed in habiliments and
gear.

"I am the staff officer of the town commandant. What can I do for
you?"

_Intelligence Officer._ "What I want is the telegraph-office."

_Staff Officer._ "Certainly, sir; but what do you belong to? Are you
with the main column?"

_I. O._ "Dear me, no. I have just come in from the New Cavalry
Brigade!"

_S. O._ "Yes; we are expecting you. You are to camp on the south side
of the town. Just under the parapet of those defences. Those are our
southern defences. What do you think? Brand had the impertinence to
send in last night and demand our immediate surrender. That we,
Britstown, should surrender----!"

_I. O._ (_brutally_) "And did you? Look here; you will have to wait
until the general comes in for your camping arrangements. All I want
is the telegraph-office."

_S. O._ "Of course we did not surrender. Why, we have made this place
impregnable. There are three companies of my regiment here, to say
nothing of the local town-guard."

_I. O._ "Oh, hang the town-guard! You trot along and find the chief of
our staff. I have other things to think about. By the way, has the
rest of the New Cavalry Brigade come in here? The Mount Nelson Light
Horse--they are marching from Hanover Road?"

_S. O._ "No; but there is some ox-transport for you with the Supply
column. How far back is your general?"

_I. O._ "About three miles. Thanks." (_Intelligence Officer and the
Tiger canter on._)

_Tiger._ "Please, sir, did he say that the De Aar column was in?"

_I. O._ "Yes. Why?"

_T._ "Only the bulk of Rimington's--that is, Damant's--Guides are with
it, and I should like to go and see them as soon as I have shown you
the telegraph-office. I will also try and find out what young
Pretorius was doing in here last night."

In five minutes a "clear-the-line" message