But there were kopjes ahead, sown with fierce Dopper Boers, and those tempting wagons were only to be reached over their bodies.

The broad plain across which the English were hurrying was suddenly swept with a storm of bullets.

The long infantry line extended yet further and lapped round the flank of the Boer position, and once more the terrible duet of the Mauser and the Lee-Metford was sung while the 81st field battery hurried up in time to add its deep roar to their higher chorus.

With fine judgment Cronje held on to the last moment of safety, and then with a swift movement to the rear seized a further line two miles off, and again snapped back at his eager pursuers.

All day the grim and weary rearguard stalled off the fiery advance of the infantry, and at nightfall the wagons were still untaken.