They charged up to within twenty yards of the boma without firing a shot, the enemy's fire not doing material damage. When within twenty yards, the enemy's fire became so hot that the rush was checked, and the men commenced to return the fire.

The supports arrived almost immediately, and the men lay down within a few yards of the fort. It was some time before the officers could make the men cease firing. Luckily, the enemy's loopholes were placed at such an angle that our men were under the line of fire, and the enemy, to ensure an effective fire, had to expose themselves over the top of their earthworks. Lieutenant Lange was badly wounded during the first few minutes of this his first battle, but he nevertheless succeeded in directing his company until the end of the day. Despite the reckless energy of the Commandant and