shell taking the curve of the hill was found to
produce deadly effects both upon the guns, when placed on the
reverse slopes, and on the limbers and wagons in rear. The target
for the hostile layers against those placed on the slope nearest
to them was much more difficult. Moreover, the Germans wished to
be able to depend on the arm itself for the protection of its
immediate front. For that purpose it was essential that the guns
should be able to cover with their shells all the ground that lay
before them: there must be no "dead ground." But at Magersfontein
the Boer artillery was insignificant, the rifle fire exact and
deadly. The circumstances therefore bore no analogy to one
another, and Major Allason's judgment was unquestionably right.
The infantry were not about to carry out any aggressive movement,
and could without injury to the conduct of the whole operation
occupy the "dead ground," and so render the position safe.
Furthermore, the long array of the guns of a vast army affords
very much more security for the artillery front than is given to
a solitary battery which could be approached much more easily by
skirmishers, so that some independent guardians were needed. It
would, however, be a misfortune if this example were taken as one
of general application under conditions different from those of
this particular day.

CHAPTER XXI.

SIR REDVERS BULLER IN FACE OF COLENSO.[213]

[Footnote 213: See maps Nos. 3, 4, 15, and freehand sketch.]

[Sidenote: Sir Redvers, 25th Nov./99, to 6th Dec./99, in Natal.]

[Sidenote: The force available for him at Frere.]

Sir Redvers Buller reached Durban on 25th November. He was greeted by
the good news that the invaders were falling back from Mooi river,
that Lord Methuen had driven the Boers from Belmont and Graspan, and
that Generals French and Gatacre were holding their own at Naauwpoort
and Queenstown. He spent a few days at Maritzburg in inspecting this
advanced base of the Natal army, and in directing preparations for the
reception of a large number of wounded. He then pushed on to Frere,
reaching that place on 6th December. The enemy's raiding columns had
now retired across the Tugela, and by the 9th a well-equipped British
force of all three arms was concentrated at Frere. The mounted
brigade, commanded by Colonel the Earl of Dundonald, consisted