The appearance rather than the swords of the Guards prevailed, and cavalry as cavalry had vindicated their existence more than they had ever done during the campaign.

The guns were saved, the flank attack was rolled back, but one other danger had still to be met, for the Heidelberg commando--a corps d'elite of the Boers--had made its way outside Hamilton's flank and threatened to get past him.

With cool judgment the British General detached a battalion and a section of a battery, which pushed the Boers back into a less menacing position.

The rest of Bruce Hamilton's Brigade were ordered to advance upon the hills in front, and, aided by a heavy artillery fire, they had succeeded, before the closing in of the winter night, in getting possession of this first line of the enemy's defences.

Night fell upon an undecided fight, which, after swaying this way and that, had finally inclined to the side of the British.