ual defeats they have sustained； and that in the last engagement； when poor Sir George Colley lost his life； the officers had the greatest difficulty in getting their men to stand。 Of course； as everyone says； it is not to be wondered at。 Three times now have our men been sent out in small bodies to face double their numbers and have simply been shot down like sheep without being able to make any effectual resistance。 In spite of the Boers being rebels one cannot help admiring the way in which they are conducting this affair。 Their coolness and pluck are wonderful； and they have not made one false move yet。 Add to this the fact that they are all splendid shots； and you will agree that it is no mean foe with whom we have to deal； though this is what our officers and men would not at first believe。 Hence these sad disasters。 Poor Sir George Colley has paid dearly for his rashness； but； humanly speaking； it was far better for him to die as he did fighting bravely at the head of his men than to live with a lost reputation。 Lost it decidedly would have been； for popular feeling was strong against him even before this last affair。
And now for a few words about ourselves。 。 。 。 The farm is pretty flourishing。 We are now in the middle of haymaking； and the lazy Rider is routed out about 6 A。M。 every fine morning to go and cut。 He looks all the better for it； in fact I think we are both in better health than when we left England。 We have lost another ostrich； luckily not a very good one； but the other birds seem to be doing nicely and some of them have splendid feathers 。 。 。 。
On May 3； 1881； I wrote：
My dearest Mother； — 。 。 。 I do not know how to thank you all enough for the loving interest you have all shown towards us in our trouble。 We were extreme