in sweat and suffering.  On that day alone over one hundred horses died or fell out from exhaustion.  Their tired riders were forced to trudge across the veldt at what pace they could, or to find ignominious relief in the ammunition carts.  Shortly after mid-day, however, a welcome well of water was reached.  Here, thought the parched and foot-sore men, was relief at last.  But once again they were doomed to disappointment.  It is one of French’s characteristics that he practises an exquisitely perfect loyalty both to the army and to his superiors.  That well of sparkling water was destined for the infantry tramping on behind.  Reluctantly the troopers turned aside on their tedious way.  Not a drop of the water was touched.

By this time the men’s sufferings from thirst and dust were intense.  At two o’clock they neared Klip Drift, where they were fiercely attacked by a large body of Boers.  The guns of the first brigade, however, quickly put the enemy to flight, but the General thought it well to make certain alterations in the order of his advance.  These changes were only accomplished with the greatest difficulty.  So tired were the horses that even the General’s gallopers, who were continually traversing the column’s half-mile front, were often unable to spur their horses to anything better than a walk.  Very quickly the enemy returned to the attack, pestering French on the right.  Realising his peril, he changed his course suddenly and headed away from the Klip Kraal Drift.  Naturally, the enemy rushed off to block his way.  For an hour and a half the Drift appeared to be the division’s urgent objective.  Then, without warning, he as suddenly turned about and swung back to Klip Drift.

[Page Heading:  THE BOERS FLEE]

These manoeuvres had reduced the horses almost to the last stage of exhaustion.  Many of them fell dead by the way.  But at last the river was reached.  Still the actual crossing was not yet.  Once again French showed his extraordinary mastery of finesse.  He ordered preparation to be made for the actual crossing at Klip Drift and Rondeval Drift.  Having thrown Gordon to the left to effect one crossing and Broadwood to the right to effect another, French advanced so rapidly that Cronje was utterly nonplussed.  Gordon opened a heavy shell fire which completely disconcerted him, although only a very few of the guns could come into action.  Soon afterwards Gordon was crossing the river in pursuit.  The Boers fled, in spite of the natural strength of their positions and the utterly exhausted state of our men.  But neither Gordon on the left, nor Broadwood on the right, was satisfied with merely effecting a crossing.  Both went in pursuit of the enemy towards Kimberley.  The result was a complete rout.  The Boers’ camp, their ammunition, their wagons, fell entirely into our hands.