constructed their
intrenchments that from these it was impossible to dislodge them.
Meanwhile the 9th Brigade had advanced the Northumberland Fusiliers
along the east side of the railway line, supported by half a battalion
of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The Yorkshire Light Infantry
moved along the west side of the railway, supported by the remaining
half battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The half
battalion Loyal North Lancashire prolonged the line to the left, and
endeavoured to cross the river and threaten the enemy's right flank. The
six companies of Northamptons acted as a baggage-guard.

Early in the day a plucky attempt was made on the extreme right of the
line to cross the Modder. Colonel Codrington and Captain Feilding of the
1st Coldstreams, with Captain Selheim of the Queensland Permanent Force
with some two dozen men, forded the river. The water was almost chin
deep, and while they crossed, the Hotchkiss gun directed an appalling
fire on them. Though laden with all their gear and 150 rounds of
ammunition, they yet succeeded in reaching the other side, where they
found themselves almost swamped in mud. As they were not supported they
had to retire. But this was easier said than done. On the return passage
two men were almost drowned, and had it not been for the ingenious
device of their comrades, who, by joining hands and slinging their
putties together, managed to drag them ashore, they would certainly have
perished.

Soon after this the General, who had been moving about surveying and
commanding, was shot through the thigh. Then followed some confusion, as
the two brigades, in the absence of orders, had to act independently of
each other, and there was some fear that the 9th Brigade would fire on
the 1st. Command of the field was now assumed by Major-General Sir H. E.
Colvile, whose headquarters were on the right close to the river. It had
been Lord Methuen's idea to take the position at nightfall at the point
of the bayonet, but owing to the tremendous day's work, the heat, the
absence of food, and the general fatigue that all had undergone, this
project was abandoned. There was another reason for the change of plan.

Just as it was beginning to grow late some of the most brilliant work of
the day commenced. As the trenches were found to be utterly impregnable
to rifle-fire, it was felt that only desperate measures would rout the
Dutchmen from their stronghold. Colonel Barter