Just as they reached the farther end of it, a tremendous fire was opened.
Captain Roupell was wounded, and many of the men also killed or wounded.
For a moment the troops were paralysed by the hail of lead.

Then they replied with their rifles, and two Maxims and an eleven pounder were got to work.

Captain Roupell, in spite of his wound, worked one of the Maxims, Lieutenant O'Malley the other, and Lieutenant Edwardes the gun.

Captain Roupell was again dangerously wounded, and Lieutenant O'Malley so severely wounded that he was forced to discontinue fire.
Lieutenant Edwardes, although he was hit early in the action, stuck to his gun.

The gun team were all lying round, either killed or wounded, and he ran home the shells with a stick.