But the demoralising effect of shell fire is well known to all who have stood it.

A good regiment is needed to hold on against such a storm.

But the Devons are a good regiment--perhaps the best here now--and, under the command of Major Curry, they held.

At half-past nine the rifle fire at short range became terrible.
Boers were crawling up over what little dead ground there was, and one group of them reached an edge from which they began firing into our breastwork at about fifteen yards.

One or two of them sprang up as though to charge.