side of the road, and immediately opposite the
last-named iron house, an extensive rectangular stone wall enclosure
with high trees formed an excellent advanced central defensive
position. Further up the slope, some 500 yards to the south of this
enclosure, stretched a line of rifle-pits, which were again flanked
to the south by 'prospecting' trenches. On the sky-line numbers of
Boers were apparent to our front and right front.

Before reaching the plateau we had observed small parties of Boers
hurrying towards Krugersdorp, and immediately on reaching the high
ground the rearguard was attacked by the Boer force which had
followed the column during the whole morning.

I therefore had no further hesitation in opening fire on the
Krugersdorp position.

[4.30 p.m.]

The two seven-pounders and the 12-1/2 pounder opened on the Boer
line, making good practice under Captain Kincaid-Smith and Captain
Gosling at 1,900 yards.

[It must have been here that the waggon-loads of dead Boers
weren't found.]

[5 p.m.]

This fire was kept up until 5 p.m. The Boers made practically no
reply, but lay quiet in the trenches and battery.

Scouts having reported that most of the trenches were evacuated, the
first line consisting of the advanced guard (a troop of 100 men),
under Colonel White advanced. Two Maxims accompanied this force; a
strong troop with a Maxim formed the right and left supports on
either flank.

Lieutenant-Colonel Grey, with one troop B.B.P. and one Maxim, had
been previously detailed to move round and attack the Boers' left.

The remaining two troops, with three Maxims, formed the reserve and
rearguard.

The first line advance continued unopposed to within 200 yards of the
watercourse, when it was checked by an exceedingly heavy cross-fire
from all points of the defence.

Colonel White then pushed his skirmishers forward into and beyond the
watercourse.

The left support under Inspector Dykes then advanced to prolong the
first line to the left, but, diverging too much to his left this
officer experienced a very hot flanking fire from the farmhouse and
plantation, and was driven back with some loss.

Colonel Grey meanwhile had pushed round on the extreme right and come
into action.

[5.30 p.m.]

About this time Major Villiers' patrol returned and reported that the
country to our right was open, and that we could easily move round in
that direction.

It was now evident that the Boers were in great f