But with extraordinary skill and mobility De Wet, aided by the fact that every inhabitant was a member of his intelligence department, slipped through the double net which had been laid for him.

The first net was not in its place in time, and the second was too small to hold him.
While Rundle and French had advanced on Dewetsdorp as described, the other force which was intended to head off De Wet had gone direct to Thabanchu.

The advance began by a movement of Ian Hamilton on April 22nd with eight hundred mounted infantry upon the waterworks.

The enemy, who held the hills beyond, allowed Hamilton's force to come right down to the Modder before they opened fire from three guns.

The mounted infantry fell back, and encamped for the night out of range.