cious donga winding apparently to
the front, had dropped into it, and following it up with the same
expectations as had encouraged the Dublin Fusiliers, was speedily in
the same predicament at its open extremity. Another company ("H."),
taking this route with many losses, was similarly blocked at the same
point. But with the exception of these two companies, which could not
move for a time, the advance of the King's Royal Rifles to the wall
was strongly backed by the Royal Irish Fusiliers, whose men appeared
from all the near parts of the hill to join in with the rest. With
them ran many of the Dublin Fusiliers. This regiment, much entangled
in the watercourse already mentioned and in others equally exposed and
useless more to the right, could not progress, and, though a few men
managed to reach the upper wall direct, it was only possible to do so
by first going back to the edge of the wood, an attempt of great
hazard.

[Footnote 93: The omission of the Boers to man this
breastwork, situated as it was within 400 yards of the edge
of the wood, and commanding every inch of the ground in
front, was not owing to any fears on the part of Lukas Meyer
as to its not being tenable. The orders of that general had
been plainly that the wall was to be held, but as he did not
remain to see them carried out, the burghers, fearing to hold
what appeared to them isolated and inadequate cover,
neglected it entirely.]

[Sidenote: Two hours check.]

[Sidenote: Guns gallop forward.]

[Sidenote: The Infantry dash in.]

[Sidenote: The onslaught having weakened, the Artillery opens fire
again.]

The battle came to a standstill once more. The upper wall was won, but
the heavy and incessant fusilade directed upon it and upon the ground
below it, rendered its occupation precarious, and reinforcement a
matter of extreme difficulty. Not until two hours had passed were
sufficient men collected under it to render the last stage possible,
and the long delay cost many casualties. At 11 a.m. the officer
commanding the artillery received a request by flag-signal to cease
firing, as the assault was about to be delivered. He did so; but time
to acquire strength was still needed, and the artillery, itself
harassed by musketry, re-opened. At 11.30 a.m. the order was repeated,
and once more Colonel E. H. Pickwoad stopped his guns. Immediately
after, the batteries gallope