A front of nearly two miles was kept, the regiments moving two abreast in open order; and the sight of this magnificent cloud of horsemen sweeping over the great barren plain was a glorious one.

The veld had caught fire upon the right, and a black cloud of smoke with a lurid heart to it covered the flank.

The beat of the sun from above and the swelter of dust from below were overpowering.

Gun horses fell in the traces and died of pure exhaustion.

The men, parched and silent, but cheerful, strained their eyes to pierce the continual mirage which played over the horizon, and to catch the first glimpse of the Modder.