72 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. X. 
through which it was almost impossible to make our 
way; and while so doing we were under heavy fire. 
Several men had been knocked over; and I was 
hesitating whether we ought not to retire, as it was 
quite impossible to get at the Kafirs. Other men had 
been wounded on the right, and two were shot right 
and left of me, one a half-slave sort of fellow, named 
Isaac Isaac, who roared like a bull when hit. We 
were so close to the Kafirs, who held the river-banks, 
that the coarse-grained powder from the muzzles of 
their guns burnt my hands in several places. It was at 
this time that I suggested to old Joe Salis whether we 
had not better retire; but the fine old fellow, a true 
soldier to the backbone, said in his own drawling way, 
4 Noo, Bisset, we carn’t retire; wee must stay here and 
die.’ Now, this was rather severe on me, for I was 
Joe’s senior officer and commanding the troop. At this 
particular time the wounded men were sent to the rear ; 
and the General, who was with the supports, sounded 
the recall. This was only a few moments after Joe Salis 
had made the speech just quoted; and it was in a 
somewhat quicker tone he continued: 6 Noo, Bisset,we 
can retire with honour.’ And I can assure you we were 
not sorry to do it. But the party extending across the 
narrow part of the kloof was first reinforced and left 
in their position, to prevent the Kafirs from getting 
into the large forest. 
