The terrified creatures broke from their keepers, turned, and dashed in the darkness through the rear of the division, where several shots were fired into them by the startled soldiers, unable to see the character of the rush they felt.

Confusion necessarily ensued, and the panic spread to the other ammunition animals, which stampeded.

Order was with difficulty restored, and the detachment, thus arrested, at daybreak found itself still two miles short of its destination.

It was not thought expedient to {p.065} press on; and refuge, rather than position, was sought upon a hill near by, which looked defensible, but upon climbing was found to be commanded from several quarters.

These were soon occupied by the Boers, and after a resistance protracted to about 3 P.M., the detachment was compelled to surrender.