iously imperil
those leading to Norval's Pont; for high ground, running
south-eastward from the Poort, in parts parallel to the road and
railway, in parts impinging on them, practically commanded both for a
distance of some twenty miles from Colesberg. French, therefore,
determined to lose no time in reconnoitring and, if possible, seizing
on so valuable a point, and on the evening of January 24th, despatched
de Lisle to occupy Bastard's Nek, a defile cutting the same range as
Plessis Poort, and five miles to the westward of it. This being safely
effected, early on the 25th a strong column[280] concentrated at the
Nek. French's plan was as follows:--

[Footnote 280: Composition:--6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons,
10th Hussars, a battery R.H.A., under Major-General Brabazon;
four companies 1st Yorkshire, four companies 1st Essex, the
2nd Wiltshire regiment, the M.I., and a field battery, under
Colonel T. E. Stephenson, 1st Essex regiment.]

[Sidenote: Jan. 25th. He strikes at Plessis Poort.]

[Sidenote: French avoids a trap, and returns to camp.]

Whilst the infantry, covered by a cross fire of artillery, pushed
along the high ground towards Plessis Poort, the cavalry, diverging
north-eastward, were to turn the Poort by the Boer right, and at the
same time watch for any counter attack from the direction of the road
bridge. To draw attention from these movements, demonstrations were to
be made from every part of the British lines about Colesberg. As soon
as it was light these operations began. Whilst McCracken, under cover
of the howitzers and the two guns on Coles Kop, advanced from Kloof
camp, whilst Clements, pushing out from Porter's Hill and
Slingersfontein, shelled once more the laager at Keerom, and Porter
from Kleinfontein, made as if to fall upon the railway towards Van Zyl
siding, Brabazon's mounted force drew out to the northward, and
Stephenson sent the infantry, the Essex leading, along the ridge
towards the Poort. By 10 a.m. the four R.H.A. guns were in action
against the Poort at a point 2,400 yards north-west of it. Brabazon's
cavalry started late, owing to a delay on the part of the battalion
told off to relieve the intermediate posts: the enemy, getting wind of
his presence, advanced from the north with two guns, and from the
east, and so delayed him that his turning movement was completed too
late in the day to be utilised. Meanwhile the infantry, covered by t