Now and then words of praise and encouragement came to them from without.

Once it was a special message from the Queen, once a promise of relief from Lord Roberts.

But the rails which led to England were overgrown with grass, and their brave hearts yearned for the sight of their countrymen and for the sound of their voices.

'How long, O Lord, how long ?' was the cry which was wrung from them in their solitude.

But the flag was still held high.
April was a trying month for the defence.