When in the morning it was found that the Boers had, as they naturally would, brought up their outlying guns, the tired soldiers did not regret their labours of the night.

It was again demonstrated how innocuous a thing is a severe shell fire, if the position be an extended one with chances of cover.

A total of forty killed and wounded out of a strong brigade was the result of a long day under an incessant cannonade.

And then at nightfall came the conclusion that the guns were too many, that the way was too hard, and down came all their high hopes with the order to withdraw once more across that accursed river.

Vaalkranz was abandoned, and Hildyard's Brigade, seething with indignation, was ordered back once more to its camp..