Source: Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Saturday, 18 November 1899
Very little to write about today. Just the usual sniping and a few big shells, one of the latter killing a driver, and breaking the leg of a native.
The Boers can be seen moving their big laager from the south, and about 160 waggons; their eastern laager is also shifting. All sorts of ideas are expressed as to why all this is going on. Some say relief. But when you consider it, that is absolutely impossible.
The Colonel has today issued a notice to the town, stating that the authorities intend giving the Town Guard the magnificent sum of 2/6 per day, as an allowance against the wear and tear of clothing and not as pay. So we are just worth 6d per day better than the native. How good of the Imperial government, who have got us into this hole. Talk about the rights of citizenship, why they have even stopped us getting our ordinary everyday stimulants. Whatever is wanted from the hotel the men of the town must first go to an Imperial officer and say, "Please sir, can I have a drink.' and get a written order to go and purchase some.
Some correspondence has been published by B.P. in which Mr. Weil complains that some malicious person had caused a rumour to be circulated that he and another townsman were getting up a petition to surrender the town to the enemy, and asking the Colonel to give this an official denial The Colonel was very angry, and threatens all sorts of dire consequences to any "rumour-monger” that may be found out.
