80 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. XI. 
rushing in upon us, and one was in the act of seizing 
my horse’s bridle, when I shot him. Luckily I pulled 
the trigger of the left barrel, for up to that time I 
did not know that the right barrel had been flattened 
by the ball which had splintered and wounded my 
hand. As it was I shot the Kafir; but had I fired the 
right barrel the gun must have burst, as the ball 
could not have passed the flattened part. We, how¬ 
ever, had to push on, as it was important to gain the 
top of the hill, where there was a small open space, 
and to hold it until relieved by the next advance. 
Major Gribson was also warmly engaged at the same 
spot, and his first charger was shot dead under him. 
After we once gained the top of the hill the enemy 
deserted their stronghold, in order to take possession 
of other ground in the bush as we advanced. 
From the top of the hill there was about three 
miles of thick bush to pass through, with only a 
narrow wagon-track cut through it. The Kafirs 
held this bush in considerable strength, but the 
column of cavalry forced their way through it on to 
the open ground beyond—the wagons being guarded 
by the infantry. As they entered this bush there was 
a general attack upon them along the whole line. 
The fight became hottest in the middle of the 
bush; and the cavalry having formed up on the 6 open ’ 
beyond, detachments were sent back on foot to support 
