In the evening, just before he passed into unconsciousness, he repeated more than once: "Tell the Colonel, Lady Sarah, I did my best to give the message, but they got me first." He died at dawn.
All through the weary hours of that perfect summer's day the rifles never ceased firing.

Sometimes a regular fusillade for ten minutes or so; then, as if tired out, sinking down to a few single shots, while the siren-like whistle and sharp explosion of the shells from the high-velocity gun continued intermittently, and added to the dangers of the streets.

So the hours dragged on.

All the time the wildest rumours pervaded the air.

Now the Boers had possession of the whole stadt; again, as soon as night fell, large reinforcements were to force their way in.