On Friday the result of the Boers' last stand remained
undecided. The situation is briefly as follows. Botha and the major part of the Boers still in arms retreated on Lyden- burg, and were followed by General Buller till he found him- self in front of a practically impregnable position—worse than Lain g's Nek is the report of the correspondents—and there he has sat down to watch his enemy. Meantime a force has been despatched by Lord Roberts to turn, if possible, the Boer flank. Whether the Boers will fight it out remains to be seen. Their position is not really a good one as long as -we refuse to rumour heads against their trenches. They fear to retreat to the North, because the natives in that direction are strong and hostile. The West is barred as well as the South, and to the East lies Portuguese territory. However, there is little use in speculating as to what will happen, as a few hours mast probably decide whether Botha will stand or not. The Boers who retreated to Barberton are said to be suffering severely from disease. Large numbers of Boer women and children are assembled there, and under very bad sanitary conditions. Forty British officers are also detained in Barberton.
