72nd Company had occupied a high hill on the left
flank during the night, and here they were left while the
rest of the force advanced to attack the Boers and drive
them out of the Nek. The rest of the Yeomanry, under
Colonel Colvin, were instructed to protect the right flank,
which they did by occupying a range of hills. The
Imperial Light Horse worked round the left flank of the
enemy. Presently, the Infantry (A and S. Highlanders
and the Berkshire Regiment), advanced to the attack, the
Cow gun and Elswick Battery shelling the position, and
setting the hills on fire. The Boers replied with rifle fire
and a maxim, and after about two hours fighting, when
the Infantry were beginning to dimb the hills, the Boers,
who were only De Wet's rearguard, suddenly cleared off.
198 RECORDS OF THE ROUGH RIDERa

and then the whole force — ^infantry, guns, mounted troops
and transport — ^poured through the Pass.
There were two or three casualties during the fight
and one Yeoman (Sergeant Richardson) who had some-
how got into the infantry firing line, was very badly hit
and died soon afterwards. The Medical Ofiicer, Captain
Walcott, who had now rejoined the Battalion, went down
into the firing line, and rendered every possible assistance.
