ing from quick-time into the
double, and from that to a swift run upon the edge of the wood. A low
stone wall, topped by a broken-down fence of wire which ringed the
copse on this side, was tumbled flat, and the foremost soldiers of
the Dublin, pouring through the thicket, penetrated to the wall and
hedge on the farther side. Here their line was prolonged by the King's
Royal Rifles, who had come through the wood on the right. In front of
this line the crest of Talana was 550 yards distant. With the Dublin
Fusiliers, the general trend had been towards the left; now after a
short pause at the edge of the plantation they attempted to push on in
that direction. Enticed by a donga, which, quitting the wood at its
northern angle, looked like a covered way towards the crest of the
hill, the three leading companies ("A." "F." and "G.") worked steadily
along it in hopes of arriving within striking distance of the enemy
under comparative shelter. But the watercourse not only faded to
nothing before it reached the terrace wall, but was open to the
enemy's view and enfiladed by his musketry throughout its length. A
storm of bullets descending into it when it teemed with men, brought
down many and checked further progress.

[Sidenote: K.R.R. and Dublin reach edge of wood.]

[Sidenote: K.R.R. hold Smith's farm.]

Of the King's Royal Rifles, four companies, under Colonel R. H.
Gunning, advancing through the right-hand half of the plantation,
found themselves amongst the Dublin Fusiliers at its forward edge, and
became in part intermingled with them. The three remaining companies
moved upon the buildings of Smith's farm, and gained the front and
right edges. Somewhat ahead of the general line, this portion of the
force was enfiladed from the crest of Talana on its left, and from
Lennox Hill on its right, and received so hot a cross-fire that it was
ordered to fall back to the cover of the farm walls. This it did with
the loss of three officers and many men; but from their more secure
location the Rifles here began a telling reply, both upon the crest in
front and upon the clouds of sharpshooters which hung upon the summit
and slopes of Lennox Hill.

[Sidenote: "B." and "H." of R.I.F. on left of wood.]

[Sidenote: Maxims at S.E. angle.]

Lieut.-Colonel F. R. C. Carleton, 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers,
immediately on entering the plantation, had detached two of his
companies ("B." and "H.") to line the left face of the wood, whence
t