Their practice at a range of five miles was exceedingly accurate.

At the same time their riflemen became more venturesome, and on Tuesday, November 7th, they made a half-hearted attack upon the Manchesters' position on the south, which was driven back without difficulty.

On the 9th, however, their attempt was of a more serious and sustained character.

It began with a heavy shell-fire and with a demonstration of rifle-fire from every side, which had for its object the prevention of reinforcements for the true point of danger, which again was Caesar's Camp at the south.

It is evident that the Boers had from the beginning made up their minds that here lay the key of the position, as the two serious attacks--that of November 9th and that of January 6th--were directed upon this point.
The Manchesters at Caesar's Camp had been reinforced by the 1st battalion 60th Rifles, who held the prolongation of the same ridge, which is called Waggon Hill.