incessant fire was
supported by a storm of long-range bullets from the heights across the
valley. The position was not finally cleared till nearly seven.

The attack and the defence were equally gallant, as at Waggon Hill. Our
guns were of far more service than theirs, but probably the loss by
rifle fire was not so great, the range being longer. The total force of
the attack on both positions was probably about 7,000. Some 2,000
Volunteers led the way--old Boer farmers and picked men who came forward
after a prayer meeting on Friday. For immovable courage I think it would
be impossible to beat our gunners--especially of the 42nd and 53rd
Batteries. All through the action they continued the routine of gunnery
just as if they were out for exercise on the sands.

By seven o'clock the main positions on the south side of our defences
were safe. On the north, fighting had been going on all day also. At
about 4 a.m. the artillery and rifle fire was so violent around
Observation Hill that I thought the main attack was on that point.
Originally the Boers no doubt intended a strong attack there. The hill
has always been one of the weakest points of our defence.

The Boers began their attack on Observation Hill just before dawn with a
rapid fire of guns and rifles at long range. At first only our guns
replied, the two of the 69th doing excellent work with shrapnel over the
opposite ridges. By about six we could see the Boers creeping forward
over Bell Spruit and making their way up the dongas and ridges in our
front. At about eight there was a pause, and it seemed as if the attack
was abandoned, but it began again at nine with greater violence. The
shell fire was terrific. Every kind of shell, from the 45-pounder of the
4.7 in. howitzer down to the 1-1/2-pounder of the automatic, was hurled
against those little walls, while shrapnel burst almost incessantly
overhead.

It is significant for our own use of artillery that not a single man
'was killed by shells, though the air buzzed with them. The loose stone
walls were cover enough. But the demoralising effect of shell fire is
well known to all who have stood it. A good regiment is needed to hold
on against such a storm. But the Devons are a good regiment--perhaps the
best here now--and, under the command of Major Curry, they held. At
half-past nine the rifle fire at short range became terrible.

Boers were crawling up over what little dead ground there was, and one
group of th