mph another important movement was
already in progress, of which, I believe, I was the only outside
spectator. Just before four I was awakened by the trampling of cavalry
going up the Newcastle road. They were the 5th Lancers, the 5th Dragoon
Guards, and the 18th Hussars. The 19th Hussars had been out all night
burning a kraal and distracting attention from Gun Hill. Just as the
stars vanished, the 18th, followed by the others, galloped forward
towards the Boer lines in the general direction of Pepworth Hill, though
our main force was on the left of the direct line. General Brocklehurst
was in command. It is described at Headquarters as a reconnaissance or
demonstration. But there are rumours that more was originally
intended--perhaps an attack on the Boer rail head, with its three heavy
trains this side of Modder Spruit; perhaps the destruction of the Modder
Spruit Bridge. If the object was only to discover whether the Boers are
still in force, and to demonstrate the coolness of the British cavalry,
the movement was entirely successful.

Directly the cavalry advanced across the fairly open valley of Bell's
Spruit, passing Brook's Farm and making for the left of Limit Hill on
the main road, they were met by a tremendous rifle fire from every
ridge and hillock and rock commanding the scene. At the same time, guns
opened upon them from Surprise Hill on our left rear, and from some spot
which I could not locate on our left front. Still they advanced,
squadron after squadron sweeping across Bell's Spruit, and up into the
tortuous little valleys and ravines beyond, towards Macpherson's Farm.
That was the limit. It is about two and three-quarter miles (not more)
from our picket on the Newcastle road, and lies not far from the left
foot of Pepworth Hill. The 18th Hussars, through some mistake in orders,
attempted to push still further forward towards the hill, but just
before five a general retirement began.

Except perhaps at the close of Elands Laagte fight, or in one brief
assault of Turks upon a Greek position in Epirus, I have never heard
anything to compare to the rifle fire under which the withdrawal was
conducted. The range was long, but the roll of the rifle was incessant.
The whole air screamed with bullets, and the dust rose in clouds over
the grass as they fell. Then the 6 in. gun on Bulwan ("Puffing Billy")
and an invisible gun on our right opened fire, throwing shells into the
thick of our men wherever the ravin