THE SCOTTISH RIFLES' MAXIM ON ZWART KOP.
The crossing of Potgieter's Drift.
To draw off the enemy's attention from this, the decisive movement, a demonstration in force was to be made from Potgieter's Drift. As columns of dust rose from the direction of Springfield, betokening the advance of Warren's three brigades, the camp at Spearman's Farm showed signs of activity. The infantry struck their tents; the cavalry, whose camp was in full view of the Boer lines, left theirs standing and marched off to the west; all the naval guns pushed forward to good positions on Spearman's Hill. Then, first Lyttelton's and afterwards Coke's Brigades deployed and in open order descended to the river. The Scottish Rifles and Durham Light Infantry led the way. One officer, Captain Harrison, advanced into the water carrying with him a rope; the stream had fallen and now ran only waist deep at the ford. Then came two or three more men, and last a long line holding hands. Simultaneously a number of pontoons were got to work, and the ferry, which had stuck obstinately and refused to move, was repaired by the Natal Naval Volunteers. Away in front the Boers watched without firing a shot. They could be seen manning their trenches on the hills, but they gave no sign of life, intending, perhaps, as at Modder River and Colenso, to allow the "rooineks" to approach within some hundreds of yards, and then to massacre them with their magazine fire at their leisure.
DINNER HOUR IN CAMP.
A trumpeter of Thorneycroft's Horse going the rounds.
First one and then another chain of infantry made the passage with much floundering in the water. The companies, as they crossed one by one, formed up on the opposite bank. When the two leading battalions were complete they advanced rapidly for a mile along the undulating plain to the north of the river and seized a line of low kopjes. The night drew on with troops everywhere in motion.
