"Then Colonel Baden-Powell addressed the garrison. It was one of his characteristic addresses—short, soldierly, and to the point. 'We have been a happy family during the siege. The time has now come for breaking up. When we were first invested I said to you, "Sit tight and shoot straight." The garrison has sat tight and shot straight, with the present glorious result. Many nice things have been said about me at home, but it is an easy thing to be the figure-head of a ship. The garrison has been the rigging and the sails of the good ship Mafeking, and has brought her safely through her stormy cruise.' The Colonel then addressed each unit separately, commencing with the nurses, whom he complimented upon their pluck and devotion, shaking hands with Miss Hill, the matron of the Hospital. Coming to the Protectorate Regiment, he said: 'To you I need say nothing. Your roll of dead and wounded tells its own tale.' Then, shaking hands with Colonel Hore, he thanked him for the work he had done.
"To the artillery, under Major Panzera and Lieutenant Daniel, Colonel Baden-Powell said: 'You were armed with obsolete weapons, but you made up for these by your cool shooting and the way you stuck to your guns.'
"It was the turn of the British South African Police next. To them the Colonel said: 'I need not repeat to you men the story of the little red fort on the hill which Cronje could not take.'
"The Cape Police, under Captain Marsh, were addressed as follows: 'You have not been given an opportunity of doing anything dramatic, but throughout the siege you have held one of the nastiest places in the town, where the enemy were expected at any moment, and where you were always under fire.'
"Speaking to the town guard, the Colonel remarked that he ought to say a lot to them. They had turned out in such large numbers and in such good spirits, submitting to all the restrictions and routine of military law. They were, he added, like a walnut in a shell. People thought that once they got through the shell there would be no difficulty about the kernel. On Saturday last the enemy had got through the outer husk, but found they could make nothing of the kernel. The moment communication was restored he would make it his business to represent to the High Commissioner the claims of the Town Guard for compensation, and he hoped he would succeed. In conclusion, the Colonel announced that any civilians who wished to return to their ordinary occupations immediately, might do so. Those who had none to return to, whose billets had been lost or business ruined, would be permitted in the meantime to draw trench allowances and to remain on duty in the inner defences. Colonel Baden-Powell shook hands with Major Goold Adams, the town commandant, who has done such excellent work, and thanked him for the help he had received from him.
"To the Railway Division, under Captain Moore, the Colonel said: 'I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. You have transformed yourselves from railwaymen into soldiers. Your work is not yet done, because it will be your business to reopen communication and get in supplies.' He then shook hands with Captain Moore and Lieutenant Layton, who has been raised to a commission from the ranks owing to his gallant work on Saturday.
"Turning next to the Bechuanaland Rifles, Colonel Baden-Powell said: 'Men, you have turned out trumps. With volunteers one knows that they have been ably drilled, but there is no telling how they will fight. I have been able to use you exactly as regular troops, and I have been specially pleased with your straight shooting. The other day, when the enemy occupied the Protectorate Fort, they admitted that they were forced to surrender by your straight shooting, under which they did not dare to show a hand above the parapet.'
"To the Cadet Corps the Colonel said: 'Boys, you have begun well as soldiers. I hope you will continue in the profession, and will do as well in after life.'
"Addressing the various units of Colonel Plumer's northern relief force, Colonel Baden-Powell pointed out how much they would all have liked to see the northern force relieve Mafeking off their own bat. They had not been strong enough to do that, and there would not be much about them in the picture papers, but they had put in seven months of splendid work in a bad country and a bad climate. Now, they had their reward, for they not only had been able to assist in the relief of Mafeking, but the honour of bearing the brunt on the right flank of a well-fought fight, and had inflicted a severe blow upon the enemy, routing him, and kicking him out of Bechuanaland. He was proud to command them.
"Addressing the units of the southern relief force, the Colonel congratulated them upon a march which would live in history. He had heard of their coming from prisoners, and had been pleased by the news, but he had been better pleased to hear their guns and see the enemy fleeing. He complimented Colonel Mahon on commanding such a splendid body of men. On the subject of the Imperial Light Horse, the Colonel added that he was especially pleased to see them, for they had indeed travelled far for the relief of Mafeking, both corps having been present and themselves besieged in Ladysmith. They would, therefore, be able all the more to sympathize with the people in Mafeking.