CHAPTER IX

.--LORD METHUEN'S ADVANCE--_continued_. Nov. 23-Dec.

2, 1899.

March to Swinks Pan--Advance of Ninth Brigade--Battle of Enslin--Bombardment of the Boer position--Reinforcements sent for--The Bluejackets and Marines take the kopje--British losses--The Queen congratulates the Naval Brigade--Boer losses--Lack of water at Enslin--Lord Methuen's address to the troops--March to Klokfontein--Lord Methuen's available forces--The Boers in force at the Modder River--Disposition of troops--Scene of the battle--Boer preparations--Battle of the Modder--The torture of thirst--Sleep during battle--Arrival of an additional Field Battery--Attempts to cross the river--Retreat of the Boers--Comparison of British and Boer losses--British artillery fire--Characteristics of the fighting--The Boers fire on the Red Cross--Conduct of the Free Staters impugned--Kruger's remonstrances 145-171

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