es with the volunteer defenders--in
all, a goodly show.

It was to some extent a general inspection; but after it was over the
men were formed up as three sides of a hollow square, and the Colonel in
command addressed the men, complimenting them upon their behaviour, and
then giving them the contents in a great measure of the despatches he
had received from headquarters, in combination with the reports of the
scouts and from the outposts. He concluded by saying that in a few
hours they would, in all probability, be completely shut off from
communication with the south, for the Boers were closing round them in
great force, and that until they were relieved they would be called upon
to hold Kimberley, making a brave defence to save so important a town
from falling into the hands of the invader.

Here he was stopped by a tremendous burst of cheering, which hindered
him from saying, as he intended, that they must be of good heart and
full of trust that the General in command would soon send help.

But the enthusiastic cheering taught the Commandant plainly that the men
before him needed no "heartening up," and he smiled with satisfaction as
he felt convinced that every call he made upon them would be answered.

What followed was short and to the point. He thanked them, made a few
remarks about his determination that no Boers should drag the British
flag from where it fluttered, told the garrison that he was proud to say
that they had an ample supply of provisions and military stores, and
that the Boers had only to make their first attack to find how they had
deceived themselves about the British surrender at Majuba Hill.

Here there was another deafening burst of cheers.

Finally he made a fresh allusion to the well-known town farther north
which was being surrounded by the enemy even as they were being shut in
there.

"It will be a race," he said, "between us as to which town will first
beat the Boers off; and the victors will then have the glorious task of
going to the relief of the others."

After this the regulars were marched off to their quarters, leaving the
volunteers standing fast; and the Commandant now summoned their officers
to his side.

As it happened, this was within a few yards of the spot where West and
Ingleborough were drawn up in the line, and every word the Commandant
spoke came to them clear and plain.

"I have another little business to speak about, gentlemen," he said, "in
connection wi