Another group were busy poring over a notice affixed on a tree, which we were told was the latest war news: WAR NEWS LATEST REPORTS _Price 3d._ VRYBURG, OCT.

31, 1899 MAFEKING SPEECHLESS WITH TERROR KIMBERLEY TREMBLES 40 ENGLISH SOLDIERS DESERT TO JOIN OUR RANKS It appears by telegram received this morning that the Burghers started firing on Mafeking with the big cannon.

The town is on fire and is full of smoke.
The British troops in Natal met the Burghers at Elandslaagte.
The battle-field was kept by the Burghers under General Prinsloo.

Two were killed, four wounded.
We drove down the street, and pulled up at the Central Hotel, where I got capital rooms and was most civilly received by the manager, an Englishman.

The latter, however, could hardly conceal his surprise at my visit at this moment.