The Boers suffered heavily in their turn, but not so heavily, as they were in open formation, with better shelter, and out of sight of the British gunners. They had not to face the fearful shell fire which made of the British position a veritable shambles. As they gained ground and were able to enfilade one of our most advanced trenches, the situation grew more and more critical. Colonel Crofton, of the Royal Lancasters, upon whom the command had now devolved by seniority--General Woodgate having fallen--was greatly alarmed. Towards 10 o'clock he heliographed to headquarters this startling message: "Reinforce at once or all lost. General dead." It was clear that a crisis had arrived demanding every effort. Sir Charles Warren replied by ordering up General Coke with the 2nd Middlesex, 2nd Dorsetshires, and Imperial Light Infantry--the last a volunteer battalion raised at Durban, which was now to have its terrible baptism of fire--and by a message that Colonel Crofton must hold out to the last and must not think of surrender. But Colonel Crofton's words had roused the uneasiness of General Buller, who from Spearman's Hill was watching the battle. Apparently unaware that General Coke was on the way up, he telegraphed to Sir Charles Warren at Three Tree Hill--"Unless you put some really good, hard-fighting man in command on the top, you will lose the hill. I suggest Thorneycroft." General Warren complied with his Commander-in-Chief's "suggestion." Colonel Thorneycroft was appointed to command, "with local rank of Brigadier-General." Thus the confusion was made worse, as half the men on the top and most of those on their way up were unaware of this change. It was as at Sedan, where, in the space of a few hours, there were three commanders, with fatal results. [Illustration: [_From a photograph._ GENERAL SIR CHARLES WARREN GIVING INSTRUCTIONS DURING THE SPION KOP FIGHT. General Warren was having a slight wound bound up when the photograph was taken.]