1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Tuesday, 20 February
Another extremely quiet day, only about half a dozen shells at long intervals having being presented to us.
The gun (big one), being a long distance down to the west, has so far failed to reach the town, only one of her unexploded shells managing to roll as far as the Wesleyan chapel, so that we in the town are now having quite a soft time of it.
There was a rumour in town yesterday afternoon that an accident had happened at the enemy’s big gun and that their ambulance had been seen there. Some say that she has blown out her breech endeavouring to reach the town, but this theory was very soon spoiled this morning when she again let rip, but the projectile only came as far as the native village, and through the glasses we were able to see her elevated to such an extent that she resembles a huge tree. It is now considered a fact that the best part of the town is out of range. May it please the enemy to keep her there.
The extreme quietness of the Boers is almost unaccountable. Is it a calm before the storm as far as we are concerned here in Mafeking, or is it the beginning of the long desired end?
Sergeant-Major Looney, a warrant officer of the Army Service Corps, has been arrested for selling food-stuffs from the Government stores. If it is true, the present condition of the town should warrant this man suffering the most severe penalty that the Colonel can possibly inflict. He ought to be shot. It is said that two or three prominent townspeople are implicated.
Worked at photos today, and turned out some good ones of the Colonel, bank, etc.
Mafekingites can now be properly compared with the old original earth dwellers. We have now about 400 dugouts, or bomb-proofs, and about 5 miles of trenches for the protection of men attending to their duties, moving from one fort to another, etc.
Up to date over 1 000 large 94-pound shells have been counted as having been fired at and about the town. These alone mean £15 000 cost for the Boers.
