As may be imagined, I could hardly believe my good fortune, and I lost no time in scrambling into my clothes while the cart was being inspanned.  A vexatious delay occurred from the intractability of the mules, which persistently refused to allow themselves to be caught.  The exchange of prisoners had to be effected before 8 a.m., when the truce would be over, and I shall never forget how I execrated those stubborn animals, as the precious minutes slipped by, fearful lest my captors would change their minds and impose fresh conditions.  However, at length all was ready, and, escorted by some artillery officers, I drove to headquarters, where I was requested to descend in order to have another interview with the General.  Again an inquisitive crowd watched my movements, but civilly made way for me to pass into the little room where General Snyman was holding a sort of levee.  The latter asked me a few purposeless questions.  I gravely expressed a hope that his eyes were better (he had been suffering from inflamed sight); then he rose and held out his hand, which I could not ignore, and without further delay we were off.  About 2,000 yards from Mafeking I noticed the enemy’s advanced trenches, with some surprise at their proximity to the town; and here we met the other party with a white flag escorting Mr. Viljoen, who looked foolish, dejected, and anything but pleased to see his friends.  He was forthwith given over to their care, the mules were whipped up, and at a gallop we rattled into the main street.  From the first redoubt Colonel Baden-Powell and Lord Edward Cecil ran out to greet me, and the men in the trench gave three ringing English cheers, which were good to hear; but no time had to be lost in getting under cover, and I drove straight to Mr. Wiel’s house, and had hardly reached it when “Creechy” (a Dutch pet-name which had been given to the big siege gun) sent a parting salute, and her shell whizzed defiantly over our heads.

Then commenced a more or less underground existence, which continued for five and a half months; but, surrounded by friends, it was to me a perfect heaven after so many weeks passed amidst foes.  I had much to hear, and it took some time to realize all the changes in the little town since I had left.  First and foremost, the town guard were coming splendidly out of their long-protracted ordeal.  Divided into three watches, they passed the night at the different redoubts, behind each of which was a bomb-proof shelter.  Those of the second watch were ready to reinforce the men on duty, while the third were only to turn out if summoned by the alarm-bell.  All the defences had, indeed, been brought to a wonderful pitch of perfection by the C.O.  First there was a network of rifle-pits, which gave the Boers no peace day or night, and from which on one side or the other an almost incessant sniping went on.  These were supplemented by dynamite mines, the fame of which had frightened the Boers more than anything else, all connected