about two miles towards the Boer position, which with its left resting on Spion Kop stretched along the edge and crest of a lofty plateau, from which long gently sloping spurs and aretes ran down to the river.  For us, however, there was more diverting employment.  ‘The mounted brigade will guard the left flank of the infantry.’  Such was the order; and is not offence the surest defence?  Accordingly all the irregular cavalry moved in a considerable column westward across the front of the Boer position, endeavouring to find where its flank rested, and prying with inquisitive patrols at every object of interest.  The order of march was as follows:  First, the composite regiment (one squadron of Imperial Light Horse, the 60th Rifles, Mounted Infantry, and one squadron of Natal Carabineers), 350 of the very best; next, four squadrons of the South African Light Horse, good shooting high-class colonial Volunteers with officers of experience; then Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry.  ’Lived in Natal all our lives!  Know every inch of it, sir!’ And behind these alert mounted riflemen moved the ponderous and terrible regulars, 13th Hussars and Royals, with the dreaded arme blanche, ‘Wait till we get among them.’  Altogether a formidable brigade.

There were many halts, and no one hurried, so that at two o’clock the whole cavalry formed a line of observation along the lower kopjes by the river about five miles long.  The composite regiment was not, however, to be seen.  Major Graham, who commanded it, had been observed trotting swiftly off to the westward.  Two hundred Boers had also been reported moving in that direction.  Presently came the sound of distant musketry—­not so very distant either.  Everyone pricked up his ears.  Two miles away to the left was a green hill broken by rocky kopjes.  Looking through my glasses I could see ten or twelve riderless horses grazing.  A mile further on a group of Boers sheltering behind a kopje from the continual fire was visible.  Suddenly one galloped away madly, and even at the distance it was possible to see the cloud of dust from pursuing bullets.  A straggling column of Boers was trekking away across the plain back to their main position.  Then came reports and rumours.  ’Ambuscaded the Dutchmen—­shot ’em to bits—­some of them cut off—­come and bag the lot.’  Behind the rumours Barnes, adjutant of the Imperial Light Horse, joyful, with a breathless horse; he explained how they had seen two hundred Boers moving towards distant hills, to make sure of their line of retreat by the Acton Homes road into the Free State; galloped to cut them off; reached the hills first, with just five minutes to spare; dismounted, commanding the road, and waited.