his horses for a few hours.  But the British, so it seemed, were resolved that neither we nor our horses should have a rest, for early the next morning they were on our heels.  We could not offer any resistance, because we had no positions, and could not recklessly expose ourselves to the enemy’s fire without any cover at all.  On the open plain our horses would have been swept away by the enemy’s guns, and in a short time we would have been all infantry.  Hence, on their approach we withdrew, hoping to find a place where we could make a stand.  Unfortunately we failed to find the wished-for positions.  For miles and miles the country is just one vast plain; when you get to the end of that plain you may find a ridge, a hill or slight elevation, which, however, did not signify much.  The enemy could easily outflank and surround us, if we did not abandon it in time.  With eyelids “heavy and dim,” and bodies “weary and worn,” exposed to the dazzling rays of a burning sun, we rode on, driven occasionally as a herd of cattle.  At last night fell and we could enjoy a short rest.

“The next morning the same story was repeated:  the English hot on our track—­no rest for body or soul.  The country being as flat as the part we had traversed the previous day, we had to march again the whole day under a burning sun.  Now and then we dismounted for a few minutes, in order that our horses might snatch a few mouthfuls of grass.

“At the hour of sunset there was something to relieve the monotony of fleeing all day.  Two burghers—­bread spies as we call them—­had gone ahead to buy some bread at a farm where a party of the enemy was stationed.  Not aware of that, they rode up to the house, with the result that one got captured, while the other returned under a hail of bullets at a breakneck pace to relate the fate of his comrade.  De Wet immediately sent in a note asking the enemy to surrender, since they numbered only about twenty.  They answered shortly:  ‘We won’t.’  They were then charged, and up went the white flag without their firing a single shot.

“For the night we bivouacked at that farm.  The British columns were now scarcely four miles from us.  We dreaded a night attack, but, owing to incessant rain, both parties seemed only too glad to stay where they were.  Here we had the advantage of hills and ridges, where we could stand and face the foe.

“At sunrise the enemy’s guns and Maxim-Nordenveldt began to play on these ridges.  Our guns had been placed in position, too, and responded sharply.  We succeeded in beating off the enemy’s attacks till 11 A.M., then we were outflanked and had to evacuate our positions.  Their losses must have been great.  Two of our men fell in the action.

“From there we marched in the direction of the railway line, which we intended to cross that night near Houtkraal station.  We were about seven miles from the line, and were