The slow-moving oxen fortunately were unable to drag the heavier naval guns to the same position to share the fate that quickly befell.

A very heavy fire was opened from the Boer rifle pits, and although the gunners stuck manfully to their pieces until the ammunition in the limbers was exhausted, they were compelled then to leave them on the plain, retreating for shelter to a donga.

The breech-blocks, even, were not carried away; it is said because they expected to return again to action.

The naval detachment, 300 yards further back, were exposed to the same fire, but received only its outer fringe.

The native drivers bolted, and many of the oxen were killed or stampeded; but the {p.230} seamen contrived to drag their guns out of range.
[Footnote 28: This "3" in the copy before me may be a misprint for "8." The London _Times_ correspondent gives 800 yards for the rifle fire.] News of this mishap reached Buller as he was returning from witnessing Hart's discomfiture.