sitting round one of Dante’s purgatorial retreats.  I felt exactly like going to school again for the first time, though, of course, I soon found them all very friendly.  I learned that there was no food to be got till to-morrow, but I foraged about till I found a sort of canteen-tent, where they sold buns, and, having some tea of my own, got water boiled over a friendly fire, and now feel happier; but I fervently hope I shall get back to the Battery soon.  When I heard last from Williams, they had returned to Waterval after some hard forced marching.

September 19.—­Loafed away last evening somehow.  A wan electric light half lit the room after dark; the souls “twittered” like Homer’s in dejected knots.  “Fatigues all day, and a pass into town once a week,” seem to be the prospect.  Reveille to-day at six.  At parade, after breakfast, I was told off to act as an office orderly to Captain Davies, the Inspector of Ordnance, an all-day job, but otherwise with possibilities in it, I judged.  Found the office, swept it out, and dusted and tidied things.  Parlour-maid’s work is nearly new to me (I have only cleaned windows before, in barracks at St. John’s Wood), and I found myself trying to remember what I used to see Mary doing in the flat.  I fancy my predecessor must have been a “slattern,” for everything was thick with dust.  I wish the Captain would leave his matches behind; there is not a match to be got in Pretoria now for the ordinary mortal.  I’m afraid there are no perquisites in this situation.  Also I wish he would get a waste-paper basket.  I have made a humane resolve never to be without one myself, at home.  Captain rode up about 9.30; I tied up his pony, and then sat on a stone step outside, feeling rather like a corner-boy trying to pick up a job.  Found a friendly collar-maker in a room near.  He also is a “detail,” or “excess number,” but a philosopher withal.  He told me that from his observation I had a “soft job.”—­Nothing happened, so I have adjourned to some tarpaulins in the back yard.  A shout of “Ord’ly” from the office interrupted me, and I was sent with a blue letter to the Chief Ordnance Officer in a camp about a mile away.  Again to the same place in the afternoon, and one or two other little errands, but between whiles I had plenty of time to write.  The Captain rode off about five, and I somehow got attached to the collar-maker, who was extremely friendly, and we spent the evening together.  Looked in at a S.C.A. tent, and found a service going on.  The Chaplain of the Bushmen was speaking.

September 20.—­I got a pass and walked to Pretoria in the evening; saw the place by daylight, and was rather disillusioned.  The good buildings and the best shops are in a very small compass, and are nothing much at the best, though the Palace of Justice and the Government buildings are tolerably dignified.  All this part seems quite new.  There is very little to be bought.  Indeed, the wonder is that there is anything, for no trade supplies