action at Rooidam, while Mahon’s Mafeking relief column had slipped past their flank, escaping the observation of the British public, but certainly not that of the Boers.  The casualties in the Rooidam action were nine killed and thirty wounded, but the advance of the Fusiliers was irresistible, and for once the Boer loss, as they were hustled from kopje to kopje, appears to have been greater than that of the British.  The Yeomanry had an opportunity of showing once more that there are few more high-mettled troops in South Africa than these good sportsmen of the shires, who only showed a trace of their origin in their irresistible inclination to burst into a ‘tally-ho!’ when ordered to attack.  The Boer forces fell back after the action along the line of the Vaal, making for Christiana and Bloemhof.  Hunter entered into the Transvaal in pursuit of them, being the first to cross the border, with the exception of raiding Rhodesians early in the war.  Methuen, in the meanwhile, was following a course parallel to Hunter but south of him, Hoopstad being his immediate objective.  The little union jacks which were stuck in the war maps in so many British households were now moving swiftly upwards.

Buller’s force was also sweeping northwards, and the time had come when the Ladysmith garrison, restored at last to health and strength, should have a chance of striking back at those who had tormented them so long.  Many of the best troops had been drafted away to other portions of the seat of war.  Hart’s Brigade and Barton’s Fusilier Brigade had gone with Hunter to form the 10th Division upon the Kimberley side, and the Imperial Light Horse had been brought over for the relief of Mafeking.  There remained, however, a formidable force, the regiments in which had been strengthened by the addition of drafts and volunteers from home.  Not less than twenty thousand sabres and bayonets were ready and eager for the passage of the Biggarsberg mountains.

This line of rugged hills is pierced by only three passes, each of which was held in strength by the enemy.  Considerable losses must have ensued from any direct attempt to force them.  Buller, however, with excellent judgment, demonstrated in front of them with Hildyard’s men, while the rest of the army, marching round, outflanked the line of resistance, and on May 15th pounced upon Dundee.  Much had happened since that October day when Penn Symons led his three gallant regiments up Talana Hill, but now at last, after seven weary months, the ground was reoccupied which he had gained.  His old soldiers visited his grave, and the national flag was raised over the remains of as gallant a man as ever died for the sake of it.