y went east, where the enemy was reported to have retired.
The object of the reconnaissance was to ascertain the strength of the
enemy, and this was soon achieved, for he was found to be in immense
force in a position of natural strength flanked by huge hills. Some
smart skirmishing ensued. Colonel Gough with a battery of field
artillery engaged the Boers and sent one and a half companies of mounted
infantry to turn the enemy's left flank and discover his laager.
Fighting continued for more than three hours, during which Colonel
Keith-Falconer,[5] Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed. Lieutenant
Wood, North Lancashire Regiment, was shot through the head, and
Lieutenants Bevan and Hall of the Northumberland Fusiliers were also
wounded. An armoured train came to the rescue and attracted the Boer
fire, pouring from two Maxims a withering storm of bullets on the enemy
and inflicting heavy loss. The Dutchmen were discovered to be in great
force all around, and as they blocked the road to Kimberley, the promise
of more spirited engagements was in the air. Already it was ascertained
that a number of culverts on the railway line had been destroyed by the
hostile troops, and rumours of Boer invasion were continually being
brought in.

The next day, amid universal regret, the two gallant officers who had
lost their lives in leading their men against the powerful enemy, were
buried.

Lieutenant Brook (9th Lancers) on the day of the reconnaissance
had a narrow escape, and experiences more exciting than pleasurable.
Early in the morning he had gone on ahead of the column for the purpose
of making a route sketch. This done, he sent it back by his orderly, and
while continuing his investigations found himself confronted with the
enemy. A shower of bullets greeted him. His horse was shot and he was
brought to the ground. It was neck or nothing now, and he ran for dear
life pursued by a horde of mounted Boers. Fortunately he came to a wire
fence, vaulted it, and was for a moment safe. The enemy's ponies could
not follow. But the Boers sent shots after his retreating form, shots
which luckily missed him, and he was enabled to reach two troops of the
9th Lancers which galloped up to the rescue.

On the 12th Lord Methuen arrived, and there was general satisfaction
among the troops. They were now in fine fighting condition, and, having
had one taste of battle, were longing to advance and get in touch with
the enemy.

But the advance of