78 Pages - The Black Vault

advantages of the proposal.I resisted, I struggled, but finally fell to temptation,dressed up in the plausible guise of reason. I wouldhold the riverbed.The advantages I thus hoped to obtain were:1. Perfect concealment and cover from sight.2. Trenches and protection against both rifle andgunfire practically ready made.3. Communications under good cover.4. The enemy would be out in the open veld exceptalong the riverbank, where we, being in positionfirst, would still have the advantage.5. Plentiful water supply at hand.True, there were a few dead animals near the drift,and the tainted air seemed to hang heavy over theriverbed, but the carcases could be quickly buriedunder the steep banks, and, after all, one could notexpect every luxury.(See Map 7.)As our clear field of fire, which in the north wasonly bounded by the range of our rifles, was on thesouth limited by Waschout Hill, a suitable position forthe enemy to occupy, I decided to hold the top ofit as well as the riverbed. All I could spare for thiswould be two NCOS and eight men, who would beable to defend the south side of the hill, the northbeing under our fire from the riverbank.Having detailed this party, I gave my instructionsfor the work, which was soon started. in about acouple of hours the patrols returned with their prisoners,which were dealt with as before.62