fuse. The men hastily formed up into their four companies and began
the retirement in succession. Each company had simply to fight its way
through with the sword-bayonet. They did not fire much, chiefly for fear
of hitting each other, which unfortunately happened in some cases. The
Boers took less precaution, and kept up a tremendous fire from both
flanks, many of the bullets probably hitting their own men. Under
shelter of the dongas some got right among our companies and fired from
a few yards' distance.

Then came the horror of a war between two nations familiar with the same
language. "Second R.B.! Second R.B.!" shouted our fellows as a watchword
and rallying-cry. "Second R.B.!" shouted every Boer who was challenged
or came into danger. "B Company here!" cried an officer. "B Company
here!" came the echo from the Dutch. "Where's Captain Paley?" asked a
private. "Where's Captain Paley?" the question passed from Boer to Boer.
In the darkness it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe. The
only way was to stoop down till you saw the edge of a broad-brimmed
hat. Then you drove your bayonet through the man, if he did not shoot
you first. Many a poor fellow was shot down by some invisible figure who
was talking to him in English and was taken for a friend. One Boer fired
upon a private at two or three yards--and missed him! The private sprang
upon him. "I surrender! I surrender!" cried the Boer, throwing down his
rifle. "So do I," cried the private, and plunged his bayonet through the
man's stomach and out at his back.

One by one the companies cut their way into the open ground by the
railway, and to Observation Hill, where the enemy dare not pursue. By
half-past three a.m. the greater part were back at Leicester Post again.
It was a triumph, even for the Rifle Brigade: as fine and gallant an
achievement as could be done. But the cost was heavy.

Eleven were dead, including one or perhaps two officers. Six are
prisoners. Forty-three are wounded, some severely. The ambulance was out
all the morning bringing them in. Again they complained that the Boers
fired on them and wanted to keep them prisoners. Nothing has so
embittered our troops against the enemy as this continual firing on the
wounded and hospitals. It was sad in any case to see the stretchers
coming home this morning. Meeting a covered dhoolie, I asked the bearers
who was in it. "Captain Paley," they said, and put him down for water.
He had been reported