tly attacked and captured by a party of twenty-five of
the enemy who had descried its plight from Talana, its detachment
holding out until all were killed or wounded. In this affair nine Boer
prisoners were also released. About 1.15 p.m., a party of two hundred
Boers was seen descending Impati through the collieries at its
northern extremity. The mountain already held the enemy's van;
Moeller's retreat was cut off. Adelaide farm lay close ahead, and here
for the first time he faced about for a stand. The men of the 18th
Hussars, with the section of the King's Royal Rifles mounted infantry,
and one of the Dublin mounted infantry, lined the farm walls; the
remaining two sections of the mounted infantry of the Dublin Fusiliers
held a small kopje, two hundred yards from the building. The Boers
closed around in force and poured a bitter fusilade upon the troopers.
A gun, which had opened ineffectively from the colliery, was then
brought forward to 1,400 yards, and its projectiles shattered the
buildings, and scattered the horses. In a few moments another gun
opened more to the left and 1,100 yards distant. At 4 p.m. the white
flag was by Moeller's order waved in the farmyard, and he capitulated
to Commandant Trichardt. Nine officers and 205 men laid down their
arms after a loss of 8 men killed, 3 officers and 20 men wounded. This
affair all but doubled the day's casualties, which now numbered
500.[94]

[Footnote 94: For detailed casualties, see Appendix 6.]

[Sidenote: Knox wins his way home.]

Meanwhile Knox's two squadrons were in little less danger in the
opposite direction. Attempting to intercept with dismounted fire
parties of the enemy, who were retiring towards Halifax, the little
force became the focus of every wandering party of the enemy, not only
of those evacuating the positions of Talana and Lennox Hill, but also
of many riding in from the Buffalo. For the hills and plain were full
of Boers who had taken no part in the battle. But Knox was not to be
trapped. Moving swiftly towards Malungeni, and favoured by a slight
mist, he slipped away, though nearly surrounded, and halted for half
an hour under cover. Then, whilst the Boers were puzzled by his
circuitous track, he dashed westwards through their intervals and
escaped.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE RETREAT FROM DUNDEE, AND THE ACTION OF RIETFONTEIN.[95]

[Footnote 95: See maps Nos. 3, 5 and 7.]

[Sidenote: Yule decides not to retreat,