Presently C
squadron, which was behind, was ordered to close up upon the left
of B squadron, and the 150 horsemen in one long line swept over a
low grassy ridge. Some hundreds of De la Rey's men were lying in
the long grass upon the further side, and their first volley, fired
at a fifty-yard range, emptied a score of saddles. It would have
been wiser, if less gallant, to retire at once in the presence of a
numerous and invisible enemy, but the survivors were ordered to
dismount and return the fire. This was done, but the hail of
bullets was terrific and the casualties were numerous. Captain
Norman, of C squadron, then retired his men, who withdrew in good
order. B squadron having lost Yockney, its brave leader, heard no
order, so they held their ground until few of them had escaped the
driving sleet of lead. Many of the men were struck three and four
times. There was no surrender, and the extermination of B company
added another laurel, even at a moment of defeat, to the regiment
whose reputation was so grimly upheld.
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