the
Boers and found shelter and remounts at several farms of friendly
colonists. The distance was eighty miles. Trooper Brown of the Cape
Mounted Police carried the first despatch, and covered the distance in
thirteen hours. Great credit is due to these men, who went to and fro
at great peril to themselves. Foremost among them were Brown, Cummings,
Hambly, and Harding, but there were many others who did good work. The
remuneration paid by the military was very small — £5 for the
round trip, but in many cases, where private letters were carried, this
sum was largely increased by private donations. Later, when the
investment of the town was closer, it became very difficult to get
