First one and then another chain of infantry made the passage with much floundering in the water. The companies, as they crossed one by one, formed up on the opposite bank. When the two leading battalions were complete they advanced rapidly for a mile along the undulating plain to the north of the river and seized a line of low kopjes. The night drew on with troops everywhere in motion. [Illustration: DIRECTING THE ADVANCE ON POTGIETER'S DRIFT FROM THE BALLOON. The Boers made ineffectual attempts to destroy the balloon by shell-fire.] [Illustration: PERILOUS DUTY: A DESPATCH RIDER WAYLAID BY BOERS.] CHAPTER XIII. SPION KOP. Warren's Divisions cross the Tugela--The enemy entrenching--The artillery and transport cross--A long delay--Spion Kop bombarded--Lyttelton's feigned attack--The cavalry seize Acton Homes--Desultory movements before Spion Kop--Change of plan--Advance on the left ordered--Capture of Three-tree Hill and Bastion Hill--Death of Major Childe--Assault ordered and countermanded--Lyttelton's advance--Warren telegraphs for howitzers--Rumoured relief of Ladysmith--Another day of little progress--Pathetic humour--Assault ordered and postponed--Another council of war--Warren reinforced--The storming force--Ascent of Spion Kop--A Boer picket surprised--The storming force halts too soon--Tardy reinforcements--Botha determines to recapture the hill--Positions of the opposing forces--The Boers bombard the British position--Woodgate wounded--Thorneycroft put in command--A frightful struggle--Lack of artillery support--Boer attempts to rush the position--The King's Royal Rifles storm a ridge--Desperate straits--Confusion of commands--Thorneycroft determines to withdraw--Scene on the hill after the battle--Losses in the action--The retreat--Causes of the defeat. [Sidenote: Warren's Divisions cross the Tugela.] [Sidenote: [JAN. 16-17, 1900.]