112 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. XIY. 
other, with a long whip fastened to the taper end of a 
long bamboo, whipping them on. But on this oc¬ 
casion both of them were on the ground and running 
alongside the wagon, one opposite its front and the 
other opposite its hind wheel, with nothing but the 
monster hat to be seen above the ground, looking more 
like monkeys or moving mushrooms than anything 
else. It is astonishing how they contrived to guide 
and drive the mules in this position. 
Unfortunately this did not end our dilemma. The 
Kafirs were strong and confident; we were weak and 
with but little ammunition—thirty rounds per man—■ 
and each force held their position, firing shot for shot 
from behind the rocks. Needs Camp was within sight 
of us, about three miles distant. The post consisted of 
a company of the Bifle Brigade and a despatch-party 
of twenty Cape Mounted Bifles. They could see us in 
action with the enemy, but their horses were generally 
turned out to graze, and it took some time before they 
could be called in and saddled. We heard the ‘as¬ 
sembly’ sound, then ‘ horses in’ and 6 boot and saddle ; ’ 
but in our situation it seemed an age before they were 
ready to come to our assistance; and it reminded oue 
of Sister Anne, in the nursery-tale of 4 Bluebeard.’ All 
this time we were firing shot for shot, and our ammu¬ 
nition was all but expended. Some Kafirs had got 
into the forest-trees, and were ‘potting’ at us from 
