erbrook Spruit, was very slow, since checks were frequent. The Boer
artillery missed this favourable opportunity of shelling their foes,
luckily for the latter. After crossing Onderbrook Spruit, the column
turned to the right and crept along the river. The enemy were sweeping
the bank with pompoms and a heavy rifle-fire, but by crouching under
the bank the column obtained good cover for the greater part of the
way. But every now and then there came an exposed bit of ground over
which it was necessary to double, and so narrow was the track that men
had often to jump over the wounded or killed.

The Langverwacht Spruit had to be crossed by the railway bridge. As
the latter was in full view of the enemy and was being raked by pompom
shells and bullets, it proved a great delay to the progress of the
column. It was only possible to cross at more or less long intervals.
Each man was forced to run the gauntlet by himself, and had to double
over as hard as he could. Beyond the bridge complete cover was
obtained except for a small stretch of ground by the Boer bridge.
Below the latter, the river ran between high hills, and the column was
therefore screened from view.

By the time that the leading company of the battalion had cleared
'Pompom' bridge, the Inniskilling Fusiliers were advancing against the
Boer position on Hart's Hill. It was about 5 p.m., and the General
could not wait until his brigade had concentrated, but sent his troops
forward as they arrived. The left half-battalion of the Royal Dublin
Fusiliers formed up near a deserted Boer bivouac overlooking the
river, and then, without stopping for the right half, advanced to
where General Hart was standing.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sitwell was in command of the left half-battalion,
and in a short time he was sent for by the General, who told him to
advance and help the Inniskilling Fusiliers to capture the hill.

The leading company ('H') was directed to extend to six paces and move
forward, the remaining companies ('G,' 'F,' and 'E') following at a
distance of 100 yards. No sooner had 'H' company cleared the crest of
the hill on which General Hart was standing, than it came under a
heavy rifle-fire, principally from the direction of Railway Hill.
Lieutenant Lane fell badly wounded--shot clean through the head from
one side to another, a wound from which he made a marvellous
recovery--and three or four men were hit. The company received the
order to double, no easy task