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Now he rode amid the shells and watched
the able dispositions of his lieutenant.
About half-past three the action had fairly begun. In front of the
advancing British there lay a rolling hill, topped by a further
one. The lower hill was not defended, and the infantry, breaking
from column of companies into open order, advanced over it. Beyond
was a broad grassy valley which led up to the main position, a long
kopje flanked by a small sugar-loaf one Behind the green slope
which led to the ridge of death an ominous and terrible cloud was
driving up, casting its black shadow over the combatants. There was
the stillness which goes before some great convulsion of nature.
The men pressed on in silence, the soft thudding of their feet and
the rattle of their sidearms filling the air with a low and
continuous murmur. An additional solemnity was given to the attack
by that huge black cloud which hung before them.
The British guns had opened at a range of 4400 yards, and now
against the swarthy background there came the quick smokeless
twinkle of the Boer reply.


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