In the morning his judgment was justified, for Botha had abandoned the position, and his army was in full retreat.

The mounted men followed as far as Elands River Station, which is twenty-five miles from Pretoria, but the enemy was not overtaken, save by a small party of De Lisle's Australians and Regular Mounted Infantry.

This force, less than a hundred in number, gained a kopje which overlooked a portion of the Boer army.

Had they been more numerous, the effect would have been incalculable.

As it was, the Australians fired every cartridge which they possessed into the throng, and killed many horses and men.