tuated, and beginning with steady and
dogged steps to climb. Rivulets swollen by rain were successfully
crossed, swamps negotiated, and massive boulders stumbled over. The
force, which consisted of the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment,
half 2nd Battalion of Queen's, seven companies 2nd Battalion East Surrey
Regiment, and the Durham Light Infantry, on reaching its destination,
bivouacked for the night. A Naval 12-pounder gun was placed on the
summit of the hill, and the 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery was also
in position. These forces were under the command of Colonel Kitchener,
who was directed to make a midnight attack and seize the enemy's guns
and laager. The Border Regiment from Estcourt was to arrive in the
morning and assist in the operations.

Unfortunately the troops, while taking up their position at the base of
Beacon Hill, were discovered by the enemy, who at once blazed out with
their artillery. Thereupon the Naval gun from its post on the hill
snorted defiance, and from this time the Boers remained on the alert.
Nevertheless in the grey gloom of the early dawn the ascent was begun,
the West Yorks, supported by the Queens and East Surreys, struggling to
the summit over steep and rocky ground. From the base of the hill on the
left flank of the enemy's position a wall led straight to the crown, and
this wall and the absence of beaten tracks helped to make the already
hard task additionally arduous. However, by patience and perseverance
the crest of the hill was at last gained, and the troops, with a lusty
cheer, cleared out some 150 Boers at the point of the bayonet. These
with remarkable agility fled to a second position, on which the bulk of
their force was situated. So precipitate was the flight that thirty
horses were left behind and captured, together with saddlery and camp
equipment. The West Yorks then took up a position on the hill behind a
barricade of stones.

Meanwhile hard work during the afternoon and night of the 22nd and 23rd
had been taking place in other directions. The Naval gun, supported by
the Durham Light Infantry, with the greatest difficulty had been
transported over the veldt, and lugged by sheer force of muscle up the
almost inaccessible mountain. The route of the strugglers lay either
across sponge or rock, and the choice was not exhilarating. The 7th
Battery of Field Artillery also toiled manfully in bringing guns up the
steep incline.

When the day broke, the enemy opene