Ever since the 18th, the detachment of which the Canadian Regiment formed part had held the position then gained on the north bank, on the enemy's west flank.

There it occupied a trench, running 700 yards north from the river.

In the early hours of February 27, long before daybreak, three companies of the Canadians, {p.290} acting under specific orders, quitted the trench and moved towards the enemy, followed close at heel by fifty engineer troops.

In their silent advance they approached to eighty yards of the Boer traverse trench before discovered.

Then a heavy and continuous fire burst forth, lasting for fifteen minutes without intermission.
The Canadians lying down replied, while the engineers close behind them dug, till a trench 100 yards long, and giving good cover, ran from the bank to the north.