152 
SPORT AND WAR. 
CHAP. XVII. 
man to each opening between the huts ; but a small 
4 handful ’ of men was placed in each of the two bastions, 
with orders not to fire on the advancing columns until 
they got the word from Mansergh himself, who was 
stationed in the lower bastion. 
The detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles under the 
command of Lieutenant Smyth was drawn up to defend 
the lower intermediate angle of the post, at the corner 
just outside their own huts. It was a critical moment, 
for the columns of Kafirs were approaching, led on by 
their chiefs; when all at once the sergeant and two 
men ran out from the ranks, holding up their arms, and 
made directly for the head of the nearest column of 
Kafirs, and joined the enemy. I am sorry to say the 
officer lost his opportunity of shooting them on the spot; 
but at this critical moment it became necessary to 
disarm the remainder of the detachment, about twelve 
in number, who were made prisoners and huddled into 
my hut. Those that I knew personally and could rely 
on had their arms restored, and joined the Line soldiers 
in the bastions ; but the other cowardly rascals fell to 
praying aloud, saying that 4 the last day had come.’ 
As an addition to our difficulties, on the same night 
that Colonel Mackinnon’s column reached Fort Cox the 
whole of the Kafir police, several hundreds in number, 
went over to their countrymen, with their arms and 
ammunition ; and one of the columns attacking Fort 
