That afternoon these officers were removed to safer quarters in gaol while a house was being prepared for their reception.
As after-events proved, Eloff's attack was the Boers' last card, which they had played when they heard of the approaching relief column under Colonel Mahon,[35] and of his intention to join hands with Colonel Plumer, coming from the North.

After lunch, two days later, we saw clouds of dust to the south, and, from information to hand, we knew it must be our relievers.

The whole of Mafeking spent hours on the roofs of the houses.

In the meantime the Boers were very uneasy, with many horsemen coming and going, but the laagers were not being shifted.

In the late afternoon a desultory action commenced, which to us was desperately exciting.