Line after line of waggons with loose strings of mounted men kept moving from the direction of the Tugela heights above Colenso, steadily westward, across the top of Long Valley, past the foot of Hussar Hill, out into the main road along the Great Plain, over the Sandspruit Drift at the foot of Telegraph Hill, and so to the branching of the roads which might lead either to the Free State passes or to Pepworth Hill and the railway to the north.

All day the procession went on.

However incredible it seemed, it was evident that the "Great Trek" had begun at last.
Soon after midday a heliogram came through from Buller, saying he had severely defeated the enemy yesterday, and believed them to be in full retreat.

Better still, about three the Naval guns on Cove Redoubt and Caesar's Camp (whither "Lady Anne" was removed three days ago) opened fire in rapid succession on the great Bulwan gun.

The Boers were evidently removing him.