To all of this our own poor little gun endeavoured to reply, and the sailors, though exposed in an open truck, succeeded in letting off three rounds before the barrel was struck by a shell, and the trunnions, being smashed, fell altogether out of the carriage.

The armoured truck gave some protection from the bullets, but since any direct shell must pierce it like paper and kill everyone, it seemed almost safer outside, and, wishing to see the extent and nature of the damage, I clambered over the iron shield, and, dropping to the ground, ran along the line to the front of the train.  As I passed the engine another shrapnel shell burst immediately, as it seemed, overhead, hurling its contents with a rasping rush through the air.  The driver at once sprang out of the cab and ran to the shelter of the overturned trucks.  His face was cut open by a splinter, and he complained in bitter futile indignation.  He was a civilian.  What did they think he was paid for?  To be killed by bombshells?  Not he.  He would not stay another minute.  It looked as if his excitement and misery—­he was dazed by the blow on his head—­would prevent him from working the engine further, and as only he understood the machinery all chances of escape seemed to be cut off.  Yet when I told this man that if he continued to stay at his post he would be mentioned for distinguished gallantry in action, he pulled himself together, wiped the blood off his face, climbed back into the cab of his engine, and thereafter during the one-sided combat did his duty bravely and faithfully—­so strong is the desire for honour and repute in the human breast.

I reached the overturned portion of the train uninjured.  The volunteers who, though severely shaken, were mostly unhurt, were lying down under such cover as the damaged cars and the gutters of the railway line afforded.  It was a very grievous sight to see these citizen soldiers, most of whom were the fathers of families, in such a perilous position.  They bore themselves well, though greatly troubled, and their major, whose name I have not learned, directed their fire on the enemy; but since these, lying behind the crests of the surrounding hills, were almost invisible I did not expect that it would be very effective.

Having seen this much, I ran along the train to the rear armoured truck and told Captain Haldane that in my opinion the line might be cleared.  We then agreed that he with musketry should keep the enemy’s artillery from destroying us, and that I should try to throw the wreckage off the line, so that the engine and the two cars which still remained on the rails might escape.

I am convinced that this arrangement gave us the best possible chance of safety, though at the time it was made the position appeared quite hopeless.

Accordingly Haldane and his Fusiliers began to fire through their loopholes at the Boer artillery, and, as the enemy afterwards admitted, actually disturbed their aim considerably.  During the time that these men were firing from the truck four shells passed through the armour, but luckily not one exploded until it had passed out on the further side.  Many shells also struck and burst on the outside of their shields, and these knocked all the soldiers on their backs with the concussion.  Nevertheless a well-directed fire was maintained without cessation.