s, while Gordon with his brigade had
seized Rondeval Drift, four miles west, with a second drift between it
and Klip, and two more laagers. Control of both sides of the Modder,
and power to operate on either bank freely, were thus assured,
provided the infantry followed in time.

That night, February 13-14, the cavalry rested on the north bank,
holding the adjacent kopjes, and there remained during the succeeding
day, waiting for the infantry. Throughout the 14th the Boers made
constant harassing demonstrations, disturbing the rest of the weary
men and horses. "But no attack was driven home. 'Could the Boers learn
to attack, they would be a formidable foe,' the General once observed.
Directly we moved out the attack failed."[32] Kitchener in person
arrived at midnight, and the 6th Division, "very tired," at early
morning of the 15th. The {p.273} defence of the position was then
turned over to Kelly-Kenny, "leaving French free to act,"[33] and the
cavalry, reinforced by several new regiments from the westward, which
raised its numbers to near 10,000,[34] prepared for the final rush to
Kimberley, some twenty-five miles away.

[Footnote 32: "The Cavalry Rush to Kimberley," by
Captain Cecil Boyle, additional aide to General
French. The _Nineteenth Century_, June, 1900, p.
907.]

[Footnote 33: Lord Roberts' telegram.]

[Footnote 34: London _Weekly Times_, March 23,
1900, p. ii.; also February 23, p. 114.]

A few miles from Klip Drift, towards Kimberley, lay an enclosed plain,
five miles long by three wide, where a number of Boers were waiting to
contest progress. The kopjes controlling entrance had been secured by
the British, but the transit had to be forced. The enemy were in
position on hills in front, and flanking the lines of advance.
Measures were taken to cover the flanks with artillery, and to clear
them while pressing forward, otherwise the Boer positions were carried
by a charge. "The whole division was set in motion. For nearly five
miles in perfect order they galloped on, until the head of the plain
was reached. It was a thrilling time, never to be forgotten. Our guns
held the enemy on our left, while the 9th and 16th Lancers had cleared
the ground on {p.274} the right. About two miles from the head of the
plain the main body was halted to allow the guns from the left to
rejoi