When the time came he would strike, but until then he rested.

His army was not only being rehorsed and reshod, but in some respects was being reorganised.

One powerful weapon which was forged during those weeks was the collection of the mounted infantry of the central army into one division, which was placed under the command of Ian Hamilton, with Hutton and Ridley as brigadiers.

Hutton's brigade contained the Canadians, New South Wales men, West Australians, Queenslanders, New Zealanders, Victorians, South Australians, and Tasmanians, with four battalions of Imperial Mounted Infantry, and several light batteries.

Ridley's brigade contained the South African irregular regiments of cavalry, with some imperial troops.