At the northern end, where we were, the surface was smooth, but somewhat further south it became rough and stony, affording very good cover.

In our present situation we were thus almost completely exposed to the enemy's fire.
The English, on the other hand, had excellent positions.

There were a number of ruined Kaffir kraals scattered about from the middle of the mountain to its southern end, and these the enemy had occupied, thus securing a great advantage.
Our bullets hailed on the English, and very shortly they retreated to the southernmost point of the mountain.

This gave us the chance for which we had been waiting, for now we could take the splendid positions they had left.
Whilst this was going on an amusing incident occurred.

A Jew came up to a burgher who was lying behind a stone, on a piece of ground where boulders were scarce.
"Sell me that stone for half-a-crown," whined the Jew.
"Loop!"[11] the Boer cried; "I want it myself." "I will give you fifteen shillings," insisted the Jew.
Although the Boer had never before possessed anything that had risen in value with such surprising rapidity, at that moment he was anything but ready to drive a bargain with the Jew, and without any hesitation he positively declined to do business.
In the positions from which the English had retired we found several dead and wounded men, and succeeded in capturing some prisoners.
The enemy were now very strongly posted at the south end of the mountain, for there were in their neighbourhood many Kaffir kraals and huge boulders to protect them from our marksmen.