In extended order, with the British guns firing furiously over their heads, the three battalions went forward. They reached the wood under a terrible fire from the heights above; in the wood men began to drop under the rain of bullets. The Royal Irish Fusiliers and King's Rifles lost their formation amidst the trees and undergrowth, which spread confusion and gave no shelter from the pitiless Mausers of the enemy. Yet the line did not halt. Slowly it gained ground, passed out of the upper edge of the wood, and began to cross the Aceldama between it and the wall. [Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF DUNDEE. October 20, 1899.] [Sidenote: Symons wounded.] All the morning General Symons had exposed himself with perfect indifference to death. He was everywhere, conspicuous by reason of the lancer with a red flag who followed him to mark his position for his aide-de-camps. He rode to the lower edge of the wood to tell his men that they must take the hill, to encourage them by his presence, and to give them that praise which only the bravest of the brave can bestow in battle with effect. "You are fine fellows," he shouted to them. Just after he had spoken, as he was galloping back, he was struck by a bullet in the groin and mortally wounded. So long as he could he concealed his wound; then, as his strength failed, he fell or was lifted from his horse and was carried off the field, calm and confident to the last. He sent a message to his men that the wound was but slight, and that he would soon be with them again. [Illustration: BOER BURGHERS LEAVING JOHANNESBURG FOR THE FRONT.] [Sidenote: OCT. 20, 1899.] _The Battle of Dundee._] [Sidenote: Storming of Talana Hill.] At 10 o'clock the tide of the British advance had surged up to the stone wall. Under shelter of this there was a prolonged halt while the artillery bombardment of the ridge continued. Yet so heavy was the Boer rifle fire that it was death to leave the shelter of the wall. About 12, however, there came a lull, and instantly the British line dashed forward with drums beating, bugles sounding, and officers in advance. This was the most perilous stage of the combat, for, as our infantry painfully won its way up the last ascent, the British artillery had perforce to cease its fire. Under a terrific rain of bullets the thin brown line worked slowly forward towards the flaming ridge; for the last time the bugles sounded; bayonets were fixed; and with fierce cheers the top was won. Here fell Colonel Gunning and Captain Pechell, in front of their men, as soldiers and Englishmen should fall. The Boers did not wait to meet the last charge. As the hill was crowned they galloped off, leaving 100 dead and wounded behind them, and two flags. [Illustration: _F. C. Dickinson._] [_From a Sketch made on the spot._ STORMING OF TALANA HILL.] [Sidenote: The treacherous white flag.]