DE KIEL'S DRIFT.
Getting the water-carts, &c., across amidst clouds of dust.
[Walker & Cockerell sc.
Midnight, Monday Feb. 12th. Night, Tuesday Feb. 13th.
French at Waterval Drift.
Feb. 12, 1900.] Passage of the Riet.
So far General French himself had not been in touch with the enemy. But on the morning of the 12th, when his troops saddled up and started on a short seven miles ride to Waterval Drift upon the Riet, it was clear that the Boers were approaching. They were the same party that had been engaged by Colonel Hannay on the previous day, reinforced by 400 men from Magersfontein. The start was made at 3 a.m., yet though Rimington's famous scouts, who knew every inch of the ground, were guiding, the darkness just before dawn was such that a halt became imperative, and the general's intention of seizing the drift before clear day broke was frustrated. As the red light of early dawn showed over the kopjes to the east, the march was resumed, and about 6 a.m. a few shots were fired upon the British left flank when the column neared the drift, and a gun galloped out into the open and began a rapid and well-directed fire upon the British troops. General French found that a kopje in his immediate front was strongly held. What was to be done?
