CHAP. XVII. 
THE BOOMAH PASS. 
149 
for the mountain was covered with a black mass of 
warriors, who pressed the troops so much that the 
column had to diverge to the left, more into the open, 
and proceed over the Kometjes Flats before reaching 
the Debe Neck. The four men who were carrying me 
over this rough ground halted to rest, and for the sake 
of shelter from the bullets I was deposited in one of 
these kometjes, or basins in the ground ; and one of the 
men took off his wooden canteen to drink from. No 
doubt I was in a high state of fever, and verging on 
delirium, for I can only just remember that as he was 
leaning ovei me and drinking he let the canteen 
fall, and it struck me on the nose, breaking the bridge. 
I felt the stunning blow, but that is all; and I heard 
his comrades abuse him for his carelessness, and the 
poor fellow reply that he could not help it. 
After continuing about three miles over this rough 
country, we came to the Debe Neck, where there was 
a good deal of fighting to beat off the Kafirs. At the 
Neck itself a most horrible spectacle met our eyes. 
The day before—that is, the day we were attacked in 
the pass—two soldiers who were escorting a provision- 
wagon from King William’s Town to Fort White 
were attacked and killed ; and a report having reached 
Fort White to this effect, the officer commanding sent 
out a party to bring in the bodies. This party was also 
attacked at the Neck and every man killed, and we had 
