He at once advised me not to mention my name, or show myself too much, as that very day a new Landrost had arrived to take charge of the town, and strict regulations respecting the coming and going of the inhabitants and visitors were being made.

He then gave me some splendid news of the Natal border, the first intelligence of the victories of Dundee, Elandslaagte, and Glencoe.

To hear of those alone was worth the long drive, and he also showed me the Dutch reports of these same engagements, which really made one smile.

On every occasion victory had remained with the burghers, while the English dead and prisoners varied in numbers from 500 to 1,300, according to the mood of the composer of the despatch.

The greatest losses the burghers had sustained up to then in any one engagement were two killed and three wounded.