the camp, as it was known that the enemy
had entirely captured the railway line, and there was no knowing what
their next tactics, or rather dodges, might chance to be.

THE FIGHT ON BEACON HILL

Some definite action was now bound to be attempted, for after the
evacuation of Willow Grange the investment of Estcourt was practically
complete. The enemy, some 7000, with eight big guns and led by the
Commandant-General, had taken up a strong position about six miles south
of Willow Grange. There was nothing now between him and Maritzburg but
the force at Mooi River, and, in fact, there was no knowing how soon he
might overrun the whole colony of Natal.

The curious entanglement of military operations at this time formed a
puzzle that, had the British not been too gravely interested, would have
afforded them entertainment. The rules of no known military war game
could be applied to the situation, and its uniqueness was a matter as
incomprehensible to the tactician as to the ignoramus. For instance,
from Maritzburg to Ladysmith one side alternated with the other at
intervals along the line. There were British troops at Maritzburg, Boers
at Balgowan; British at Mooi River, Boers at Willow Grange; British at
Estcourt, Boers at Ennersdale; British within Ladysmith, and Boers
without. To the Commander this complicated sandwich of friend and foe
must have been most confounding, and the upshot of the war, even by
experts, could no longer be hopefully foretold.

Sir George White was surrounded at Ladysmith, General Hildyard at
Estcourt, and General Barton at Mooi River, and the Boers seemed able,
after detaching troops sufficient to form three forces, consisting in
all of about 17,000 men, still to be going onward with 7000 odd towards
the sea.

During the afternoon of the 22nd of November a column moved out of camp
in the direction of Beacon Hill to check the Boer advance. No sooner had
they started than a tremendous downpour of rain accompanied by heavy
thunder began to transform the whole earth into one huge morass.
Naturally the already heavy task of marching was made doubly severe; but
the splendid "Tommies" nevertheless plodded steadily over five miles of
undulating ground, always steep in parts, and now terribly slippery from
slush. Torrents continued to fall, accompanied by large hailstones, but
still the troops moved on, arriving eventually at the foot of Beacon
Hill where the Boer camp was si