But now we approached Springfield, and perhaps at Springfield we should find the enemy.  Surely if they did not oppose the passage they would blow up the bridge.  Tiny patrols—­beetles on a green baize carpet—­scoured the plain, and before we reached the crease—­scarcely perceptible at a mile’s distance, in which the Little Tugela flows—­word was brought that no Dutchmen were anywhere to be seen.  Captain Gough, it appeared, with one man had ridden over the bridge in safety; more than that, had actually explored three miles on the further side:  did not believe there was a Boer this side of the Tugela:  would like to push on to Potgieter’s and make certain:  ’Perhaps we can seize Potgieter’s to-night.  They don’t like having a flooded river behind them.’  So we come safely to Springfield—­three houses, a long wooden bridge ’erected by public subscription, at a cost of 4,300_l_.’—­half a dozen farms with their tin roofs and tree clumps seen in the neighbourhood—­and no Boers.  Orders were to seize the bridge:  seized accordingly; and after all had crossed and watered in the Little Tugela—­swollen by the rains to quite a considerable Tugela, eighty yards wide—­we looked about for something else to do.

Meanwhile more patrols came in; all told the same tale:  no Boers anywhere.  Well, then, let us push on.  Why not seize the heights above Potgieter’s?  If held, they would cost a thousand men to storm; now, perhaps, they might be had for nothing.  Again, why not?  Orders said, ’Go to Springfield;’ nothing about Potgieter’s at all.  Never mind—­if cavalry had never done more than obey their orders how different English history would have been!  Captain Birdwood, 11th Bengal Lancers, glorious regiment of the Indian frontier, now on Lord Dundonald’s staff, was for pushing on.  All and sundry were eager to get on.  ’Have a dash for it.’  It is very easy to see what to do in the field of war until you put on the thick blue goggles of responsibility.  Dundonald reflected, reflected again, and finally resolved. Vorwaerts! So on we went accordingly.  Three hundred men and two guns were left to hold the Springfield bridge, seven hundred men and four guns hurried on through the afternoon to Potgieter’s Ferry, or, more properly speaking, the heights commanding it, and reached them safely at six o’clock, finding a strong position strengthened by loopholed stone walls, unguarded and unoccupied.  The whole force climbed to the top of the hills, and with great labour succeeded in dragging the guns with them before night.  Then we sent back to announce what we had done and to ask for reinforcements.