went off two hours afterwards. A very steep hill was the
only thing to conquer going down, and we successfully crossed the
Tugela in a Boer punt--guns, oxen, and my horse. We got the guns up to
our new position by 6 p.m., and found ourselves about 4,200 yards from
the enemy's trenches, with James's guns on our right. We had a cordial
meeting with the Scottish Rifles; they had been a week in their
clothes, with no tents or baggage, so I put up one of our tarpaulins
for their mess tent and we enjoyed a real good dinner. At 9 p.m. up
came Ogilvy to our position, to my surprise, as he had received sudden
orders to bring the rest of the guns on across the river; the road and
river must have been very nasty in the dark, but Ogilvy is a clever
and capable fellow, who is always determined, sees no difficulties,
and invents none.

CHAPTER IV

Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz -- General Buller withdraws the troops
and moves once more on Colenso -- We hold Springfield Bridge --
Buller's successful attack on Hussar Hill, Hlangwane, and Monte
Christo -- Relief of Kimberley.

_Monday, 22nd January._--We placed the battery of six guns at daybreak
in a kloof between two kopjes, in a half-moon formation, commanding
the old position near Spion Kop, at about 4,500 yards, mine being in
the centre. I was in charge all day and fired shots at intervals. The
wind was too high for balloon reconnoitring. My first shot, a
shrapnel, at the left part of Spion Kop, disabled twenty of the enemy
digging in the trenches, so we were afterwards told by native scouts;
and we were praised by those looking on for our accurate firing. We
had now our telescopic sights on the guns, and very good ones on the
whole they were, although we found the cross wires too thick and
therefore hid an object such as a trench which at long range looks no
more than a line. I found my deflection by a spirit-level on the
trail, to test the inclination of the wheels one way or the other.
There was very heavy fighting to-day on our left. Sir Charles Warren
is in fact forcing his way on, and we hear reports of 400 of our
fellows being killed and wounded, and the Boer trenches being taken by
bayonet charges. So far as we know, General Buller's object is to
outflank the Boers on the left, and then when Sir Charles Warren has
done this, to attack in front and cut them off.

_Tuesday, 23rd January._--Another day, alas, red with the blood of our
poor fellows.