1900 - Diary of the siege of Mafeking by Edward Ross
Friday, 2 March
Big Ben again got a move on us pretty early, sending us down our burrows. One of the first 94-pounders played havoc with Whiteley’s house, going through the roof and then bursting inside, literally blew everything to pieces. A fine old claim for damages.
A few more shells during the morning, but very little comparative damage {sic] and no casualties.
Towards late in the afternoon a man on a white horse was seen to ride up to the enemy’s big gun, and after a few minutes palaver it was noticed they appeared to be going to again move their pet toy, and at about seven o’clock it appeared as if she was already loaded up.
As we did not get any night shot it is presumed a fact she has been removed. Only hope she is not going to be placed Signal Hill way, as most of our dugout entrances face that way.
At about 8.30 p.m. the brickfields commenced having a warm time, rifles, Nordenfeldt, Maxims, and small artillery were kept at it for about an hour. Even after that, Nordy went on pump, pump, pumping away for all it was worth. All the staff and officers were on the qui vive* evidently thinking an attack imminent. They were all bustling about the staff office, in full war paint, mounted and cyclist orderlies ready in waiting, all evidently anxious about our position at the brickfields. But gradually the firing slackened until it eventually wound up with a few desultory snipers’ shots, and calm again prevailed.
At times the enemy could be seen attempting to throw small packages between their and our trenches, and it is thought they are trying to drop dynamite over us, but the distance (120 yards) was too far for a man to throw a small awkward-shaped parcel like that.
