it became necessary to hold Zuikerbosch as
well. Major English, with Lieutenant Newton as his subaltern, was sent
to garrison it. Taking 'E' company with him and leaving Captain
Higginson at Botha's Kraal, Major English, with some 110 Royal
Engineers, occupied the post, and at once set about to put it into a
thorough state of defence. He fully recognised the inherent weaknesses
of his situation, and saw that unless well entrenched he was
practically at the mercy of an enemy armed with artillery, as he had
none to reply with, while the nearest reinforcements were miles away,
and liable themselves to be attacked in force at any moment. He
therefore spared no ingenuity in strengthening the position. Having
Royal Engineers and a considerable number of Kaffirs at his disposal,
he very soon effected his purpose and dug himself comfortably in.

In the meantime signs were not wanting of approaching Boer activity. A
large commando, under Hans Botha, was known to be hovering about the
neighbourhood, and as it was also known that Botha was occasionally in
the habit of spending a night under his own roof--not three miles
away--Captain G. S. Higginson made two efforts to catch him napping.
But on neither occasion was the chieftain at home, and the unfortunate
Higginson, who had selected the darkest and wildest nights as most
suitable for his purpose, was foiled each time, and had to withdraw
somewhat crestfallen, under a fire of raillery from the ladies of the
establishment. He collected some valuable information, nevertheless,
and sent in reports of Boers in the vicinity, which, however, were not
sufficient to induce General Hart to take any extra precautions.

Such was the situation of affairs when, on the misty morning of July
21st, we at Heidelberg heard the hoarse barking of the accursed
pompom, varied by the duller and more menacing note of heavier guns.
Anxiously we asked each other what it could be, and reluctantly we
came to the conclusion that our comrades were being submitted to
shell-fire with no possible chance of reprisal. As the sun rose, the
mist did the same, and very soon cheerful messages came twinkling over
'the misty mountain-tops,' announcing that a considerable force of
Boers were attacking them, but that they had little fear of not being
able to keep them off.

General Hart hastily assembled a small column[10] and marched to Major
English's assistance, leaving Colonel Hicks in command of the camp,
and as i