To rest but not to sleep, for the knowledge that the British lines at Ladysmith lay only five miles away filled my brain with hopes and plans of escape.  I had heard it said that all Dutchmen slept between 12 and 2 o’clock, and I waited, trusting that our sentries would observe the national custom.  But I soon saw that I should have been better situated with the soldiers.  We three officers were twenty yards from the laager, and around our little tent, as I learned by peering through a rent in the canvas, no less than four men were posted.  At intervals they were visited or relieved, at times they chatted together; but never for a minute was their vigilance relaxed, and the continual clicking of the Mauser breech bolts, as they played with their rifles, unpleasantly proclaimed their attention.  The moon was full and bright, and it was obvious that no possible chance of success awaited an attempt.

With the soldiers the circumstances were more favourable.  Their tent stood against the angle of the laager, and although the sentries watched the front and sides it seemed to me that a man might crawl through the back, and by walking boldly across the laager itself pass safely out into the night.  It was certainly a road none would expect a fugitive to take; but whatever its chances it was closed to me, for the guard was changed at midnight and a new sentry stationed between our tent and those near the laager.

I examined him through the torn tent.  He was quite a child—­a boy of about fourteen—­and needless to say appreciated the importance of his duties.  He played this terrible game of soldiers with all his heart and soul; so at last I abandoned the idea of flight and fell asleep.

In the morning, before the sun was up, the Commandant Davel came to rouse us.  The prisoners were to march at once to Elandslaagte Station.  ‘How far?’ we asked, anxiously, for all were very footsore.  ’Only a very little way—­five hours’ slow walking.’  We stood up—­for we had slept in our clothes and cared nothing for washing—­and said that we were ready.  The Commandant then departed, to return in a few minutes bringing some tea and bully beef, which he presented to us with an apology for the plainness of the fare.  He asked an English-speaking Boer to explain that they had nothing better themselves.  After we had eaten and were about to set forth, Dayel said, through his interpreter, that he would like to know from us that we were satisfied with the treatment we met with at his laager.  We gladly gave him the assurance, and with much respect bade good-bye to this dignified and honourable enemy.  Then we were marched away over the hills towards the north, skirting the picket line round Ladysmith to the left.  Every half-mile or so the road led through or by some Boer laager, and the occupants—­for it was a quiet day in the batteries—­turned out in hundreds to look at us.  I do not know how many men I saw, but certainly during this one march not less than 5,000.