Macdonald threw two companies of the Black Watch and two of the Highland Light Infantry into the fight.

The Boers made excellent practice with a 7-pounder mountain gun, and their rifle fire, considering the good cover which our men had, was very deadly.

Poor Tait, of the Black Watch, good sportsman and gallant soldier, with one wound hardly healed upon his person, was hit again.
'They've got me this time,' were his dying words.

Blair, of the Seaforths, had his carotid cut by a shrapnel bullet, and lay for hours while the men of his company took turns to squeeze the artery.

But our artillery silenced the Boer gun, and our infantry easily held their riflemen.