The enemy had pitched their camps all along the main road from Reddersburg to Dewetsdorp, and from there to Wepener.  These stations were from six to eight miles apart, and formed a kind of fence.  Through this line we had to pass, as well as the blockhouse line extending from Bloemfontein to Ladybrand, via Thaba ’Nchu.

We left at dusk, got safely through the camp-line, and rode on till 2 A.M., when we arrived at a certain farm.  We went to the house to make inquiries as to the enemy.  A woman opened the door, and on learning who we were, informed us that a quarter of an hour from her home an English column was encamped.  How disgusting!  We had been in the saddle from sunset to 2 A.M. and here we were, just a quarter of an hour from the enemy.  We thought and hoped that we were then at least twelve miles from the nearest column.  Why not engage them? the reader might ask.  Well, we did.  But our horses, which had to live on the tender grass-shoots, needed a rest very badly; we could hardly use them.  Besides, there was a blockhouse-line to pass the following night, and this one was still 24 miles off.

We proceeded another three miles, to be at least four miles from that column.  At about 2.30 we off-saddled.  Being not quite at ease we rose after a short rest and re-saddled.  Two scouts were sent to a hill close by.  To their surprise they found the enemy’s pickets stationed on the same kopje, at the foot of which the British camp was pitched.  Having said “good-morning” to each other in military fashion the two returned with the unwelcome news that the enemy was just next door.  We had slept side by side without knowing of each other.  Ignorance was bliss that night.

This column—­about 200 strong—­on discerning us, at once prepared for action.  Though very tired, we took up positions and began to engage the advancing foe.  We succeeded in checking their progress, and certainly had the best of the situation till noon, when the scene was changed.  My scouts returned with the alarming report that two other columns were advancing on us from Thaba ’Nchu.

I saw that we could not afford to lose a moment, for the two columns were not far apart, nor at any great distance from us.  If we should continue the fight with the one the others would meet and we would be surrounded.  Hence I gave instructions to the men to fall back.  The report reached us unfortunately too late—­our exit was already cut off.  The enemy had occupied positions all around us, and there we were, right in the centre of a circle whose circumference consisted of an unbroken line of enemies.  My secretary, who had never before been in such a circle, asked me:  “Now, General, what now?  What is our next move?” “We must charge that column in front of us,” I replied, and, suiting the action to the word, we went off as fast as our tired horses could go, making straight for the enemy.  This was too much for them; they first halted, and then—­retreated to a ridge about 1700 yards to their left.  This retreat afforded us an exit.  We were, however, exposed to a cross-fire for fully three miles, but it proved ineffectual, for only one burgher was slightly wounded.