permitting these dwellings to be occupied, but also against allowing
some of their occupiers (who were Dutch) to remain outside the gaol. A
section of these people made no secret of their sympathy with their
kindred across the Vaal, nor of their belief that the war was being
waged on false issues. They were thus tempted to lend the Boers a little
practical assistance. Nor were they long in finding ways and means to
negotiate the loan; they arranged a code of signals which enabled them
to communicate with their friends. They had precious little of
importance to tell--unless the siege value of eggs could be so classed.
Anyhow they were caught signalling one night, and on the following
morning were arraigned before the Summary Court.

This was the popular version of the story. How far it was true, I am not
in a position to say; but the charge was not sustained by the evidence.
The prisoners were acquitted, and ordered to find accommodation _within_
the city. The Court took advantage of the occasion to throw out a
general hint about the inadvisability of permitting anybody to reside
near the borders of a beleagured town.

We had held a grand review of our forces on the opening days of the
siege. The Regulars, the Light Horse, the Town Guard, etc., had filed
past the Colonel and the Mayor, amid the plaudits of the people and the
music of the band. The afternoon brought recollections of the
demonstration. The Boers appeared to be holding a pageant of their
own--for _our_ edification, no doubt. For several hours they were
marshalled on the veld with a demonstrativeness that seemed to say: "You
might as well give in at once; look at the size of us!" Their size was
certainly impressive; more so than their proficiency in drill. We beat
them hollow at drill; so hollow that we laughed arrogantly and loud. The
Boers could shoot well; but what was that--without drill!