It was evident that the staff were also becoming anxious, for although the following day brought the news that Cronje had surrendered, yet the evening saw the garrison again reduced to quarter rations.

This was only a precautionary measure, for Buller had helioed 'everything progressing favourably.' But the man in the street was sceptical.

If favourable, why reduce the ration?
Thus it was that Tuesday, Majuba Day--although on that date the tide of fortune had turned in our favour--marked the lowest pitch of despondency into which the garrison was ever plunged during the 118 days of its investment."[40] [Footnote 40: London _Weekly Times_, March 30, 1900.] The {p.300} end of their sufferings, however, was really at hand.
Buller's telegram of February 28 announcing the success of the next operation, states also its character.

"Finding that the passage of Langewachte Spruit (the scene of the fighting on the 23rd and 24th) was commanded by strong entrenchments, I reconnoitred for another passage of the Tugela.

One was found for me below the cataract by Colonel Sandbach, Royal Engineers....