Six guns were trained upon them, and during 11 days 1800 shells fell within their lines.

The river was half a mile off, and every drop of water for man or beast had to come from there.

Nearly all their horses and 75 of the men were killed or wounded.

With extraordinary energy and ingenuity the little band dug shelters which are said to have exceeded in depth and efficiency any which the Boers have devised.
Neither the repulse of Carrington, nor the jamming of their only gun, nor the death of the gallant Annett, was sufficient to dishearten them.
They were sworn to die before the white flag should wave above them.

And so fortune yielded, as fortune will when brave men set their teeth, and Broadwood's troopers, filled with wonder and admiration, rode into the lines of the reduced and emaciated but indomitable garrison.