The flames burst out everywhere simultaneously--our task was completed.
In an instant we had mounted our horses and were off.
When we had covered fifteen hundred paces, we heard the explosion of the first shells, and wheeled round to view the conflagration.

The night was very dark, and this rendered the sight that met our eyes still more imposing.

It was the most beautiful display of fireworks that I have ever seen.
One could hear, between the thunder of the big bombs, the dull report of exploding cordite.

Meanwhile the dark sky was resplendent with the red glow of the flames.
I must now give some description of General Froneman's engagement to the north of Rhenosterriviersbrug.[49] The firing we had heard before sunrise came from the English outposts, as they were retreating to their camp.

The burghers and the English had both seized positions on small hills and in abandoned Kaffir kraals.[50] Although the English had very good positions, and out-numbered our men by two to one, they found it impossible to hold out against our fire.
They had no guns, whilst we possessed, as the reader knows, two Krupps and a quick-firing gun, which latter had the same effect as a Maxim-Nordenfeldt.