w the fence the ground sloped gently downward to the foot of the
kopjes, where it again rose more steeply to the summit, some 350 yards
distant. Down the incline the firing line went rapidly, for the most
part by rushes of sections, carried out independently, yet with great
dash and unanimity. But the slope was exposed throughout, and there
were many casualties. About 5.30 p.m. the line of battle had arrived
at the foot of the kopjes; then, swinging slightly towards the left,
so as to envelop still more the flank of the enemy above, all supports
and reserves being now absorbed, it began to make head upwards, still
by short rushes. It was now nearly dark; rain burst down on them in a
torrent: the men, breathless from their eager pace, began to slacken
somewhat in their difficult progress up the hill-sides. At this moment
Colonel Hamilton, who had previously ridden to where the Devonshire
still held fast the Boer right with their volleys, hurried back to the
main attack. He at once ordered the "charge" to be sounded, and
running to the front, himself led the last onset. The Devonshire
simultaneously leaped from the donga where they had lain more than an
hour, and, advancing by companies from the right, reached the base of
the final kopje. For an instant they halted to gain breath and fix
bayonets, then, coming to the charge, assaulted the portion before
them, and carried it without a check, four companies swinging to the
left against the northernmost kopje, and three moving straight upon
the main hill whereon stood the enemy's artillery. Here, as occurred
all along the Boer line, though many fled at the sound of the charge,
many stood and continued shooting at the troops until the latter were
within twenty yards of them. Below the main crest a bitter contest was
also maintained, for as at Talana, many Boers, seeing the soldiers
determined to win the summit, pressed forward to oppose them, and lay
firing behind the rocks until their assailants were almost upon them.
Some acting thus were made prisoners; some escaped to the rear at the
last moment; many were shot down as they ran. The assault poured on
unchecked, the two guns falling to the converging Devonshire. At 5.55
p.m. the infantry held all the upper part of the hill.

[Sidenote: Gore attacks the flying Boers.]

By that time the cavalry, lying in wait at Elandslaagte, had already
dealt their blow. A quarter of an hour before the infantry gained the
crest the majorit