How hateful seem those provincial politics and narrow sectarian creeds which can hold such men apart! The bank of the river had been gained, but where was the ford?
The water swept broad and unruffled in front of them, with no indication of shallows.

A few dashing fellows sprang in, but their cartridges and rifles dragged them to the bottom.

One or two may even have struggled through to the further side, but on this there is a conflict of evidence.

It may be, though it seems incredible, that the river had been partly dammed to deepen the Drift, or, as is more probable, that in the rapid advance and attack the position of the Drift was lost.

However this may be, the troops could find no ford, and they lay down, as had been done in so many previous actions, unwilling to retreat and unable to advance, with the same merciless pelting from front and flank.