On January 16 Lord Methuen made a demonstration against Magersfontein, where the Boer works had of late been considerably extended and strengthened. His object was to draw the enemy away from Kimberley, and also to ascertain to what extent they had weakened their force by detachments sent to Colesberg and Ladysmith. A bombardment of the Boer works speedily brought the burghers up in force from Jacobsdal, and it was found that their lines were well held. [Sidenote: Demonstrations towards Koodoesberg Drift.] [Sidenote: [FEB. 5-9, 1900.] On January 26 General Macdonald arrived and took over the command of the Highlanders, from whom he had a tremendous reception. To deceive the Boers and draw off their attention from the British right, where Lord Roberts intended to deliver his serious blow, a demonstration to the left was ordered. Accordingly, on February 4, General Macdonald, with the Highland Brigade and the 62nd Field Battery, moved to Koodoesberg Drift, an important crossing of the Modder, sixteen miles to the west of Modder River Camp; at the same time General Broadwood with Roberts' Horse, the mounted infantry, and a battery of Horse Artillery, advanced to Sunnyside, the scene of Colonel Pilcher's victory. General Macdonald, after a terrible march in scorching heat, found Koodoesberg Drift deserted, and entrenched himself there on both sides of the river, on the 5th. Next day, towards evening, a commando of Boers approached and skirmishing began. The enemy was reinforced, and, seeing a chance of cutting them off, General Macdonald sent for cavalry on the morning of the 7th. Skirmishing went on all day, and the British suffered some loss from the enemy's fire, amongst the killed being the famous golfer, Lieutenant Tait. Four regiments of cavalry with two horse batteries, under General Babington, arrived in the evening of the 7th; but the Boers were not to be caught, and made off at dark. As the object of the demonstration had been fully attained, the whole force was then ordered back to Modder River Camp. The British casualties were eight killed and thirty-nine wounded. [Illustration: [_From a sketch by Fred Villiers._ COLONEL PILCHER'S COLONIALS DRAWING THE ENEMY'S FIRE BY PLACING THEIR HATS WITHIN VIEW.] [Sidenote: Roberts in camp.]