Despite the severity of the test to which they were thus subjected, the Boers with admirable self-control refrained from any reply, and so preserved in great part the secret of their dispositions from detection by the enemy.
Next day, Thursday the 14th, the remaining British force marched out of Frere camp at 4.30 A.M.for Chieveley.

The extreme heat of the days, summer being then well begun, combine with the usual advantages of timely starting to determine early movements in South Africa.

The last comers pitched camp west of the rail, and about a mile nearer the Tugela than the 6th Brigade.

The naval guns also moved forward three-quarters of a mile, and resumed the bombardment.

The Boers again making no reply, the disappointment of {p.219} their opponents at failing to uncover the position of their guns began to yield to an impression that these had been withdrawn, and even that possibly the passage would not be contested.
The total British armament now gathered on the south side of the Tugela has been variously stated at from 20,000 to 23,000 of all arms.
The smaller figure seems the more probable.