upp quick-firing guns. Our wounded were many, and some companies
looked woefully attenuated as the remnant, when all was over, whistled
themselves back to camp. Their gallant leader, General Penn Symons, who
had taken no precautions to keep under cover, but, on the contrary, had
made himself conspicuous in being accompanied by a lancer with a red
flag, fell early in the fight, mortally wounded. His place was taken by
Brigadier-General Yule, whose position at that time was far from
enviable. A message had been brought in by scouts, stating that some
9000 Boers were marching with the intention of attacking the British in
the rear, and that at the very moment the advancing multitude might be
cloaked in a dark mist that was gathering round the hills. Fortunately
the hovering hordes failed to appear, and the first big engagement of
the war terminated in a glorious victory for British arms.

[Illustration: THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR--TRANSPORT LEAVING ENGLAND FOR
THE CAPE.

Drawing by Charles J. de Lacia.]

From all accounts the two hostile columns numbered respectively 4000 and
9000 men, and against these forces Sir Penn Symons had at his command in
all about 4000. Among these were the 13th, 67th, and 69th Field
Batteries, the 18th Hussars, the Natal Mounted Volunteers, the 8th
Battalion Leicester Regiment, the 1st King's Royal Rifles, the 2nd
Dublin Fusiliers, and several companies of mounted infantry. But on the
Dublin Fusiliers, the King's Royal Rifles, and the Royal Irish Fusiliers
fell the brunt of the work, the task of capturing the Boer position, and
the magnificent dash and courage with which the almost impossible feat
was accomplished brought a thrill to the heart of all who had the good
fortune to witness it.

[Illustration]

Though the fight was a successful one, a grievous incident occurred. The
18th Hussars had received orders at 5.40 A.M. to get round the enemy's
right flank and be ready to cut off his retreat. They were accompanied
by a portion of the mounted infantry and a machine-gun. Making a wide
turning movement, they gained the eastern side of Talana Hill and there
halted, while two squadrons were sent in pursuit of the enemy. From that
time, though firing was heard at intervals throughout the day, Colonel
Moeller, with a squadron of the 18th Hussars and four sections of
mounted infantry, was lost to sight. The rain had increased and the mist
covered the hills, and it was believed that in course of tim