The besiegers had increased in number, and their guns were more numerous than before.

A less acute man than Baden-Powell might have reasoned that at least one desperate effort would be made by them to carry the town before relief could come.
On Saturday, May 12th, the attack was made at the favourite hour of the Boer--the first grey of the morning.

It was gallantly delivered by about three hundred volunteers under the command of Eloff, who had crept round to the west of the town--the side furthest from the lines of the besiegers.

At the first rush they penetrated into the native quarter, which was at once set on fire by them.

The first building of any size upon that side is the barracks of the Protectorate Regiment, which was held by Colonel Hore and about twenty of his officers and men.