He found himself faced by the stiff position of Slaapkrantz, and a hot little action was needed before the Boers could be dislodged.

The fighting fell upon Brabant's Horse, the Royal Irish, and the Wiltshires.

Three companies of the latter seized a farm upon the enemy's left, but lost ten men in doing so, while their gallant colonel, Carter, was severely wounded in two places.

The Wiltshires, who were excellently handled by Captain Bolton, held on to the farm and were reinforced there by a handful of the Scots Guards.

In the night the position was abandoned by the Boers, and the advance swept onwards.