allen than Major Wickham, of the Indian
Commissariat, taking with him thirty-three wagons guarded by two
companies of the Leicestershire regiment, left the hill and moved with
great precaution into the deserted camp. The convoy performed its short
but dangerous journey without attracting the attention of the enemy, and
the wagons, after being quickly loaded with as many stores as the
darkness, the confusion of the levelled tents, and limited time made
possible, were drawn up on the outskirts to await the passing of the
column. At 9 p.m. the whole force fell in. The night was fine but
intensely dark, and the units had some difficulty in reaching their
stations in the carefully arranged order of march. At 9.30 p.m. all
being ready, the column, guided by Colonel Dartnell, went quietly down
the mountain side towards Dundee, the southern boundary of which it was
necessary to skirt to gain the Helpmakaar road. By 11.15 p.m. the last
company was clear of the mountain, and, striking the track to Dundee at
the foot of Indumeni, the troops passed close to the bivouac ground of
the 21st October. Outside the town Major Wickham's convoy stood
waiting, and when, at the right moment, the signal was given, the
above-mentioned wagons fell into their place in the line of march. The
pace was rapid, despite the impenetrable gloom. Skirting Dundee, the
route turned sharply south-east around the corner of the Helpmakaar
road. On the edge of the town the precaution was taken to cut the
telegraph wire to Greytown.[99] By 4.30 a.m. October 23rd, the leading
files having traversed safely the defile of Blesboklaagte[100], had made
good twelve miles of the road to Helpmakaar, fourteen miles from the
starting-point. Near Dewaas, Yule, sending a message to Ladysmith to
announce his progress, halted on open ground, over which piquets were at
once thrown out on every side, and the batteries formed up for action.
Ten a.m. was the hour of starting again, the Royal Irish Fusiliers
relieving the King's Royal Rifles as advance guard. A blazing sun
beating upon the treeless downs, and a rumour of the enemy having been
seen ahead, now made marching toilsome and slow. By 12.30 p.m., less
than five miles having been covered, Yule decided to halt again, until
darkness should arrive to lessen both the fatigue and the risk of
discovery by the enemy. His situation was hazardous in the extreme.
Behind him the Boers would be soon on his heels, if they were not so
alr