I have a strong patrol out beyond the causeway.

My orders are that they are to resist strongly, for a minute or two, so as to give us time to have the whole of our force in readiness here.

Then they are to retreat at the double to the foot of the hill; and then to open fire again, so that we may know that they are out of the way, and that we can begin when we like.

We have been making some port fires this afternoon, and I have a dozen men halfway down the hill and, directly the outposts are safely across, they are to light the port fires, which will enable us to take aim.
These white tapes will be guide enough for the artillery; but my men would make very poor shooting, if they could not make out the muzzles of their guns.

Anyhow, I don't think that it is likely that the enemy will get across the causeway, however numerous they may be." "I don't think they will, Colonel.