The proprietor was equally amazed to see me warmly greet the owner of the rooms he proposed to allot us, and, although Winston postponed his departure for another twenty-four hours, he gladly gave up part of his suite for our use, and everything was satisfactorily arranged.
Good-looking figures in khaki swarmed all over the hotel, and friends turned up every minute--bearded pards, at whom one had to look twice before recognizing old acquaintances.

No less than a hundred officers were dining that night in the large restaurant.

Between the newly liberated prisoners and those who had taken part in the victorious march of Lord Roberts's army one heard surprised greetings such as these: "Hallo, old chap! where were you caught ?" or a late-comer would arrive with the remark: "There has been firing along the outposts all day.

I suppose the beggars have come back." (I was relieved to hear the outposts were twelve miles out.) The whole scene was like an act in a Drury Lane drama, and we strangers seemed to be the appreciative audience.

Accustomed as we were to a very limited circle, it appeared to us as if all the inhabitants of England had been transported to Pretoria.
Early next day we drove out to see the departure of General Baden-Powell[36] and his Staff, who had been most warmly received by Lord Roberts, and who, after receiving his orders, were leaving to rejoin their men at Rustenburg.