The masterful artillery had done its work, and the first long step taken in this last stage of the relief of Ladysmith.

The loss had been slight and the advantage enormous.

After they had gained the summit the Fusiliers were stung and stung again by clouds of skirmishers who clung to the flanks of the hill, but their grip was firm and grew firmer with every hour.
Of the three Boer hills which had to be taken the nearest (or eastern one) was now in the hands of the British.

The furthest (or western one) was that on which the Irish Brigade was still crouching, ready at any moment for a final spring which would take them over the few hundred yards which separated them from the trenches.

Between the two intervened a central hill, as yet untouched.