CHAP. IX. 
THE WAR OF THE AXE. 
63 
bushy space of about half a mile. The Kafirs were all 
massing towards this point for the attack. The front 
wagons, which consisted chiefly of those belonging to 
General Somerset’s column, were so well protected by 
the advance-guard that they passed safely over this 
difficult point and descended towards the Keiskama 
ford. The Kafirs, however, made such a vigorous 
attack on the centre of the long line of wagons that 
they drove the escort defending them back on the main 
body of the troops in the rear, thus capturing the 
wagons in the narrow part of the road. The Kafirs 
immediately cut the oxen loose from the yokes, thereby 
entirely blocking up the road, so that no other wagon 
in the rear could pass. During this time all the 
available troops from General Somerset’s camp were 
sent to the assistance of Major Gibson—Major Sutton, 
with the Kat Kiver people, and Captain Scott, with 120 
of the 91st Regiment; but the Kafirs came down from 
the mountains in such overwhelming numbers that 
Major Gibson was obliged to abandon the whole of the 
wagons (fifty-two in number) belonging to Colonel 
Richardson’s column, 1 and had to make a detour to the 
1 The baggage-wagons of the 7th Dragoon Guards contained kits 
belonging to the officers of considerable value—it was said to the value 
of 900?. or 1,000?. Some officers had two or three guns in their waggons 
by the best makers, Purdy, Rigby, Wilkinson, Moore, W. Richards, &c. 
These superior arms unfortunately fell into the enemy’s hands, while 
the officers only got about 36?. each as compensation for losses. But 
this of course was their own look-out. 
