The
soldiers grumbled, it is true, at not being let go, and swore that
even if it cost them two-thirds of their number they could and
would make their way through this labyrinth of hills with its
fringe of death. So doubtless they might. But from first to last
their General had shown a great - some said an exaggerated - respect
for human life, and he had no intention of winning a path by mere
slogging, if there were a chance of finding one by less bloody
means. On the morrow of his return he astonished both his army and
the Empire by announcing that he had found the key to the position
and that he hoped to be in Ladysmith in a week. Some rejoiced in
the assurance. Some shrugged their shoulders. Careless of friends
or foes, the stolid Buller proceeded to work out his new
combination.
In the next few days reinforcements trickled in which more than
made up for the losses of the preceding week. A battery of horse
artillery, two heavy guns, two squadrons of the 14th Hussars, and
infantry drafts to the number of twelve or fourteen hundred men
came to share the impending glory or disaster. On the morning of
February 5th the army sallied forth once more to have another try
to win a way to Ladysmith. It was known that enteric was rife in
the town, that shell and bullet and typhoid germ had struck down a
terrible proportion of the garrison, and that the rations of
starved horse and commissariat mule were running low. With their
comrades - in many cases their linked battalions - in such straits
within fifteen miles of them, Buller's soldiers had high motives to
brace them for a supreme effort.
The previous attempt had been upon the line immediately to the west
of Spion Kop. If, however, one were to follow to the east of Spion
Kop, one would come upon a high mountain called Doornkloof. Between
these two peaks, there lies a low ridge, called Brakfontein, and a
small detached hill named Vaalkranz. Buller's idea was that if he
could seize this small Vaalkranz, it would enable him to avoid the
high ground altogether and pass his troops through on to the
plateau beyond. He still held the Ford at Potgieter's and commanded
the country beyond with heavy guns on Mount Alice and at Swartz
Kop, so that he could pass troops over at his will. He would make a
noisy demonstration against Brakfontein, then suddenly seize
Vaalkranz, and so, as he hoped, hold the outer door which opened on
to the passage to Ladysmith.
The getting of the guns up Swartz Kop was a preliminary which was
as necessary as it was difficult. A road was cut, sailors,
engineers, and gunners worked with a will under the general
direction of Majors Findlay and Apsley Smith.
