The enemy, who had succeeded in capturing Lieutenant Rundle (6th Dragoon Guards) and some men of his patrol, continued to engage himself in mischief around the right flank, so much so that Lord Roberts decided that he must make a clean sweep towards the east of Bronker's Spruit. It must be remembered that after the battle of Diamond Hill the Boers had moved off, only to widen, if to thin, their half-circle round the neighbourhood of Pretoria. Botha remained astride the Delagoa Railway line toward the east, threatening with his left, so far as he dared, the south-east of the town. Grobler gathered his force on the north, while beyond him, to north-west, went Delarey and his hovering hordes, bent on menacing the road to Rustenburg. It was impossible as yet to engage in very decisive operations owing to lack of remounts, but some action was necessary. Accordingly, General Hutton's Mounted Infantry was despatched to reinforce Colonel Mahon, who on the 6th of July was attacked at Rietfontein by some 3000 Boers with six guns and two Vickers-Maxims. Fighting fierce and sustained was continued for two days, when the desired object was achieved, and the Boers cleared from the immediate neighbourhood. The Imperial Light Horse, brilliant as ever, unhappily lost two officers--Captain Currie and Lieutenant Kirk--and thirteen men, their unusual loss being occasioned by the gallantry of B Squadron in pressing to the assistance of a wounded comrade in the teeth of a host of the enemy. Poor young Kirk was a volunteer in the highest sense of the term. His career was typical of the careers of many of the gallant Colonials who rushed to the aid of their country. He had served in the Matabele War, and jumped to arms at the outbreak of the present campaign. He was conspicuous among the heroes of the heroic regiment during the siege of Ladysmith, and was wounded while binding up the injuries of a comrade. He received his commission, and afterwards took part in the famous relief of Mafeking, and later, was again wounded, and severely, while out on patrol with Colonel Baden-Powell. Nevertheless he managed to rejoin the Imperial Light Horse in the great advance _viâ_ Lichtenburg and Potchefstroom to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Among others wounded was Captain and Adjutant Nelles, 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. General Hutton on the following day was attacked by 5000 of the enemy near Rietfontein, but he succeeded in routing his assailants, capturing a French officer and inflicting considerable loss, the enemy leaving their injured upon the field. Lieutenant Young, 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, was slightly wounded. [Illustration: OFFICERS OF THE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY. Photo by Gregory & Co., London.]