Thus ended the first stage of the new campaign. But the Boers were by no means inactive, and Botha kept a hungry eye on the improving communications. A convoy on its way to Vlakfontein was vigorously shelled by the Dutchmen from a formidable position among the hills. Their nearest shell fell within twenty yards of the waggons. The bombardment continued for an uncomfortable period, until the Boer duet became a quartette by the prompt action of a section of the Chestnut Battery under Lieutenant Eden, whose two guns in the open finally outvoiced those of the Boers on the hills. One brave gunner was killed and one wounded, six horses were disabled, and an ammunition waggon overturned, but the valuable convoy was saved. To check the activity of the Boers, General Clery on the 12th moved east from Greylingstad to a point on the road between Standerton and Heidelberg, while Lord Dundonald and his invaluable South African Light Horse routed the Boers and captured a camp belonging to them in the region of Vlaklaagte Station. Thorneycroft's Horse and Strathcona's gallant corps were also playing a rival game of indefatigability with the Boers. On the 21st Major English (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), who was commanding a post at Railhead, thirteen miles east of Heidelberg, was attacked at daybreak by Botha, who was evidently anxious to imitate the tactics of Delarey at Nitral's Nek. The position was garrisoned by two companies of the Dublin Fusiliers, 110 Royal Engineers, and ten Yeomanry. Fortunately Major English had skilfully fortified his post and prepared himself for such surprises. He instantly telegraphed for assistance to Heidelberg, whereupon General Hart started to his succour with two guns, a "pom-pom," and 140 Marshall's Horse and Yeomanry. The Boers meanwhile had begun to pound the garrison with three guns and a pom-pom, and they having entirely surrounded it, the position at noon was scarcely enviable. But owing to the first-class fighting quality of the Irishmen, and the military prescience of their commander, the Boers were worsted. Major English himself was slightly wounded by a shell. General Clery's troops arrived at Grootspruit on the 23rd, and finding no trace of the enemy afterwards returned to Greylingstad. General Hildyard meanwhile operated in the neighbourhood of Volksrust hunting the foe from the rail and clearing the surrounding region. On the night of the 26th the post guarding the railway station at Vlaklaagte was twice attacked, but without success. General Clery on the following day reached Sugarbush Spruit, ten miles east of Heidelberg, near where the Boers were so valorously repulsed on the 21st. At the end of the month he had completed the disposition of his forces along the railway as far as Heidelberg, where General Cooper now replaced General Hart. FROM AMERSFOORT TO VAN WYKS VLEI