were seen falling thickly on Thabba Nyama mountain.

The tea and sugar rations were, however, cut down to half. The health of
the men began now to generally improve, probably owing to better
drinking water which was obtainable from the condenser, recently
arranged for, at the railway station.

Very heavy gun fire, night and day, was continually heard from the
direction of Spion Kop and Acton Holmes, and on the 23rd a demonstration
was made from Ladysmith, the mounted troops going out under cover of the
fire of all the guns. The Ladysmith guns on all the fronts opened, but
were answered only by the Boer guns on Gun Hill and Bulwana. There was
but little musketry fire from Pepworth direction, and Surprise Hill
seemed deserted.

Still no relief appeared, and the rations were:--

12 oz. of beef,
1 lb. of bread.
Half ration of sugar.
Half ration of tea.

An order published on the 23rd gave hope:--

"Sir George White has received further satisfactory news as to Sir R.
Buller's advance. The relief of Ladysmith may be said to be within
measurable distance."

Very heavy gun fire was heard from 3 a.m. on the 24th till 2 p.m., and
in the evening further encouragement was circulated:--