(King's Own Yorkshire
Light Infantry) and Lieutenant Thorpe, with some men of the Argyll and
Sutherland and North Lancashire Regiments, started off, and, much to the
surprise of the Boers, who had evidently not calculated upon such
dauntless agility, got safely across the river. The wonderful way in
which this feat was accomplished was described by an eye-witness, a
correspondent of the _Times_.

"That it could even be attempted to cross the river sliding sideways
through the rush of water over the paddles along a rickety iron bar one
by one, clinging to the short supports in full view of the opposite
shore, was an act of reckless heroism against which even the wary Cronje
had not provided. This, however, is what was actually done, and it would
be difficult to find a parallel for the stubborn pluck of the men who
accompanied Colonel Barter across the 300 yards of dam and weir. One by
one some 400 of them crossed. Then a detachment of the Royal Engineers,
showing how well they could take their part in the forefront of the
fighting line, followed them, after that some more of the Yorkshire
Light Infantry. Little by little a force was collected which cleared
several of the nearest houses on the right and effected an occupation of
an irrigation patch from which they were never dislodged." It was quite
wonderful to note the effect of the gallant British cheer which rang out
from General Pole-Carew's men as they burst from the river, bayonet in
hand. The Boers were startled and fled, with our men closely in pursuit.
At the rousing, ringing, menacing sound, their hopes had failed--they
thought that the rumour of victory was already in the air. "The thunder
growl edged with melodious ire in alt," as Carlyle called it, never did
better work. It demoralised and brought about the end.

[Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF MODDER RIVER]

Shortly after, a battery of Royal Artillery came upon the scene, but
before it had time to unlimber, more Boers took to their heels, falling
over each other in their haste to be off and catch their horses. The
sound of British lungs in their rear and the sight of the guns was too
much for them. Thus after twelve hours' fighting the day was practically
won, for, when morning came, it was found that the enemy had entirely
cleared out, and removed to fresh intrenchments half-way between the
river and Spyfontein.

It was a brilliant but a hardly-earned victory. It is stated that the
Naval guns fire