THE ATTACK Slowly, and without the slightest appearance of haste or excitement, the three columns crept on.

When within about five hundred yards of us, the main or centre column halted at the root of a tongue of open plain which ran up into the hill, to give time to the other divisions to circumvent our position, which was shaped more or less in the form of a horse-shoe, with its two points facing towards the town of Loo.

The object of this manoeuvre was that the threefold assault should be delivered simultaneously.
"Oh, for a gatling!" groaned Good, as he contemplated the serried phalanxes beneath us.

"I would clear that plain in twenty minutes." "We have not got one, so it is no use yearning for it; but suppose you try a shot, Quatermain," said Sir Henry.

"See how near you can go to that tall fellow who appears to be in command.