Then our men descended the hill, but the Boers were already crowding in upon them from either side.

The English cries of the soldiers were answered in English by the Boers, and slouch hat or helmet dimly seen in the mirk was the only badge of friend or foe.

A singular letter is extant from young Reitz (the son of the Transvaal secretary), who was present.

According to his account there were but eight Boers present, but assertion or contradiction equally valueless in the darkness of such a night, and there are some obvious discrepancies in his statement.

'We fired among them,' says Reitz.
'They stopped and all cried out "Rifle Brigade." Then one of them said "Charge!" One officer, Captain Paley, advanced, though he had two bullet wounds already.