There seems to be little doubt that the enemy had some inkling of our intention, as the fort was found to have been so strengthened as to be impregnable without scaling ladders.

The attacking force consisted of two squadrons of the Protectorate Regiment and one of the Bechuanaland Rifles, backed up by three guns.

So desperate was the onslaught that of the actual attacking party--a forlorn hope, if ever there was one--fifty-three out of eighty were killed and wounded, twenty-five of the former and twenty-eight of the latter.

Several of that gallant band of officers who had been the soul of the defence were among the injured.

Captain FitzClarence was wounded, Vernon, Sandford, and Paton were killed, all at the very muzzles of the enemy's guns.