They came creeping along the dongas, right into the midst of our men, as well as cutting off retreat.

Then it was that we wanted that quarter of an hour lost by the fuse.

The men hastily formed up into their four companies and began the retirement in succession.

Each company had simply to fight its way through with the sword-bayonet.

They did not fire much, chiefly for fear of hitting each other, which unfortunately happened in some cases.