. He therefore
determined to withdraw from his dangerously advanced position. It was
impossible to bring up the teams, but the gunners ran the guns back by
hand. The battery withdrew almost intact, and, coming into action
again, kept the balance level by steady practice carried on from the
Nek itself.[131]

[Footnote 130: Following Talana, see p. 140.]

[Footnote 131: This is the position shown on map 8 (_a_).]

[Sidenote: Grimwood receives Artillery support.]

Meanwhile, Grimwood was being hard pressed on the low kopjes to the
northward, and his line became thinner every moment as he endeavoured
to meet the continual attempts upon his flanks. Two Boer guns shelled
steadily the much exposed 8th brigade from various points, and when
about 8 a.m. a pom-pom, joining in the bombardment, killed with its
first discharges some of the ammunition mules and scattered the rest
far and wide, Grimwood sent urgent messages to the artillery for
support. Sir G. White was at that moment himself with the batteries,
which were being enfiladed again, this time by some guns on the low
ground below and south of Pepworth. He promptly despatched the 21st
and 53rd batteries to positions from which, facing eastwards, they
could support both the cavalry and Grimwood. The 21st moved far
southward, and from a gap in the hills between the infantry and
cavalry soon rendered for the left of the latter the same service as
the 69th was performing for the right. The 53rd battery, coming into
action near the Elandslaagte road, engaged the Boer guns on Grimwood's
front, and though kept at extreme range by Sir G. White's orders,
succeeded in much reducing their effect. At the same time the 13th
battery also left the line facing Pepworth, and, wheeling eastward,
shelled the hostile artillery on the left front of the infantry with
good results.

[Sidenote: 9 to 11 a.m. a stationary battle.]

For two hours, from about 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the engagement continued
with little movement of either army. The Boers, being now within 800
yards of the British, could advance no further, but sent a steady
stream of bullets against the ridges, pinning the cavalry to Lombards
Kop and the infantry to their line of hillocks along the Modder. By
9.30 a.m. Grimwood's last available reserve was put into the firing
line, and he could prolong his front no more, though the enemy still
threatened his flanks. The artillery was strangely dispersed. Far on
the