To The Surprise And Disappointment Both
Of The Public And Of The Army, He Chose The Latter Course, And By
January 27th He Had Fallen Back, Unmolested By The Boers, To The
Other Side Of The Tugela.
It must be confessed that his retreat was
admirably conducted, and that it was a military feat to bring his
men, his guns, and his stores in safety over a broad river in the
face of a victorious enemy.
Stolid and unmoved, his impenetrable
demeanour restored serenity and confidence to the angry and
disappointed troops. There might well be heavy hearts among both
them and the public. After a fortnight's campaign, and the
endurance of great losses and hardships, both Ladysmith and her
relievers found themselves no better off than when they started.
Buller still held the commanding position of Mount Alice, and this
was all that he had to show for such sacrifices and such exertions.
Once more there came a weary pause while Ladysmith, sick with hope
deferred, waited gloomily upon half-rations of horse-flesh for the
next movement from the South.
CHAPTER 16.
VAALKRANZ.
Neither General Buller nor his troops appeared to be dismayed by
the failure of their plans, or by the heavy losses which were
entailed by the movement which culminated at Spion Kop. 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.
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