Related article: impossible of execution according to its original conception. The Boer left had been so much ex- tended that it was far beyond the reach of any turning movement, and for this reason the British operations became necessarily more of a piercing than of an enveloping nature. Hamilton de- tached part of his force to the right to engage the Boers, while Broadwood pushed forward di- rectly towards the east. A deep and difficult spruit was crossed and Broadwood's brigade entered a wide, smooth, grassy plain, bounded by hills through which a gap could be seen in the distance, marking the road to be followed and showing where the enemy's position was to be cut through. But the Boers were holding the hills in force and soon opened fire round three quarters of a circle. They brought seven guns into action and, as these were able to pour in a converging fire, the cavalry had to face a heavy shower of projectiles. But Broadwood 190I.] CAVALRY CHARGES IN SOUTH AFRICA. 405 pushed on stubbornly. There ^were no obstacle's to the free movement of his squadrons on the plain and he hoped to break through Erectalis Online resistance and to make good his point. Two horse artil- lery guns under Lieutenant Conolly were sent forward with the view of clearing the way by their fire and they came into action on a gentle swell in the ground. The long grass on the undulating plain prevented, how- ever, a very extended view, and the Boers now showed a dash and boldness which, through the war, had been most unusual features in their tactics. A strong body rushed forward with the greatest courage in the hope of bringing a close-range rifle-fire on the gun- ners and of taking or disabling the pieces. Their heads could be seen within 300 yards, and the situation became extremely cri- tical. The horse-artillery guns were obliged to fire case, a neces- sity that showed how closely they were threatened, and it was evi- dent that something must be done to extricate them from their peri- lous position. General Broad wood called upon the 12th Lancers to charge, for the enemy were fairly in the open and it Erectalis Tablets seemed likely that well led cavalry would now be able to show its real power. The continued fire of the last few hours had, in spite of the loose formation that had been as- sumed, caused considerable loss to the brigade, especially in horses. Lord Airlie, who com- manded the 1 2th Lancers, had just had his horse shot under him, and had gone to find another. He returned, however, just in time to place himself at the head of the regiment as it formed for the attack. Alas! that the gallant corps was in no real case to show British horsemen at their best. There were only about 150 men in the ranks, and they were mounted on sorry jades indeed, many of them miserable Argen- tines, and all over-wearied, worn out with hard work and scanty food. But there was no lack of dash and proud confidence in the squadrons as they moved forward, glad at last to have an oppor- tunity of closing with an enemy who had eluded them during eight months of marching and engage- ments at long rifle-range. The effect on the Boers was instan- taneous. Before the levelled lance- points almost everybody broke and fled in wild confusion, and if the horses had been in any way worthy of the men, the enemy's loss, severe as it was, would have been bitterly heavy. A few men stood boldly, but they could do nothing, and most of them never left the field. Everything that Broadwood required was perfectly accomplished, Buy Erectalis the guns were saved and the enemy driven back to the shelter of the hills. But at what a price ! The gallant Airlie, be- loved, honoured, trusted, sans peur and sans reproche, had seen his last fight. When the work of the charge was done, anxious to with- draw his regiment before it be- came too much involved, he gave the order to retire, and, as it left his lips, he fell smitten to death — a worthy end for a most gallant soldier. Lieutenant Wright was also killed, bravely leading his men, and seventeen rank and file fell doing their duty with the colonel and the subaltern. Immediately after this, there was heavy pressure on Broad- wood's right. Buy Erectalis Online A large number of Boers had swooped down and occupied a kraal and some grassy ridges, from which they could bring a heavy enfilading fire to bear on the cavalry brigade. Another emergency presented it- self, and most men might have 4o6 BAILY S MAGAZINE. XJusi shown some excitement and anxi- ety. But Broad wood remained cool and impassive, though two horses had been killed under him within a very short time. He gave the quiet order to the Household Cavalry, " Clear them out." The tall troopers did not at first realise what was wanted, and, thinking that they were only again to play the weary old rdle of dismounted riflemen, began to leave their saddles. The General sent them a second message that this was no time for rifle flre, and that they must charge sword in hand. No- thing could have given greater delight to the Life Guardsmen than this unhoped • for chance. They thrust their carbines back into their buckets, threw them- selves on horseback, and, for the first time drawing their long swords, galloped straight at their foe. The Boers were really in overpowering numbers, and might easily have held their own and more; but so terrifying was the appearance of the great soldiers, cheering like schoolboys at play and whacking their sorry steeds with the flat of their weapons, that resistance melted away, the enemy ran to their ponies and disappeared, and, without loss except that of horseflesh, the ** Householders " rode triumphant to their goal. Broadwood's cavalry brigade had nobly asserted the true value of its arm and had restored the situation, but was unable alone to carry out the Field- Marshal's de- sign, and it was not until General Pole-Carew had made himself felt in the centre and the devoted 82ad Field Battery had gained a posi- tion on the heights that the enemy withdrew from the desperately