It was quite unexpected, this turn of events. No one spoke. Then Eloff said:
“I give myself up as a hostage. Get them to cease fire.”
The prisoners went out, waved handkerchiefs, shouted, “Surrender! Cease fire, boys.”
When this was done sixty-seven Boers laid down their rifles, and the prisoners stacked them up in their late prison.
Commandant Eloff was now a prisoner instead of being master of Mafeking; his partial success he owed to his own dash and gallantry, his failure to the half-hearted support of General Snyman. He dined at head-quarters, and a bottle of champagne was opened to console him and distinguish this day of surprises.
On the 16th of May there was great excitement in the town; the great activity in the Boer laagers, the clouds of dust rising in the south, all showed that something new and strange was coming. News had come of General Mahon having joined Colonel Plumer a few miles up the river. “When will they come?” everybody was asking. About half-past two General Mahon’s guns were heard, and the smoke of the bursting shells could be seen in the north-west.
In the town people were taking things very calmly. Had they not enjoyed this siege now for seven months, when it had been expected to last three weeks at the most? They were playing off the final match in the billiard tournament at the club. Then came a hubbub, and Major Pansera galloped by with the guns to get a parting shot at the retiring Boers.
Then fell the dusk, and the guns came back. Everybody went to dinner very elated and happy. “By noon to-morrow we shall be relieved,” they said.
It was now about seven o’clock; the moon was shining brightly in the square.
“Hello! what’s this? Who are you, then?”