Then came a battery, with the 5th Dragoon Guards as escort In half an hour the guns were in full action against those low hills.

The enemy's one gun there was silenced, but not before it had blown away half the head of a poor fellow among the Dragoon Guards.

For an hour and a half we poured shrapnel over the rocks, till, except for casual rifle fire, there was no reply.

Then another battery came up to protect the line to our rear, across which the Boers were throwing shells from positions on both sides, though without much effect.

Soon after one, up cantered the Volunteers--Imperial Light Horse and Border Mounted Infantry--and they were sent forward, dismounted, to take the main position in front and occupy a steep hill on our left.