It was during the hottest hour of this engagement, when men were falling fast on the further bank of the river, and there were few to help, that Major Bapte came to Mr. Gandhi, and explaining that he knew that the terms of their contract included immunity from the dangers of the firing line, said: "The need just now is great, and although I cannot urge it, yet, if your ambulance will cross the pontoon, and work from the other side, it will be greatly appreciated." The pontoon was, of course, under fire, exposed to the guns of the enemy on the ridge above. The Indian leader put the question to his men, "Would you go?" They said "Yes," without hesitation, and in spite of the peril of death, they crossed the bridge and worked from the other side. None was allowed to climb the hill, but there was no need for that, the work at its base was sufficient, and the awful fire kept the stretcher-bearers employed between Spionkop and Frere for several hours. Not a few of our soldiers owe their lives to the efficient work done by the Indians that day.
They were again under fire at Vaal Krantz, the shells dropping a few yards in front of them as the bearers removed the men. Hospital orderlies, water-carriers, nurses, bearers, all were willing to do
