There are only three passes, the Magato Pass, Olifant's Nek, and Commando Nek.

It was understood that all three were held by British troops.

It was obvious, therefore, that if Methuen could advance in such a way as to cut De Wet off from slipping through to the west he would be unable to get away.

Broadwood and Kitchener would be behind him, and Pretoria, with the main British army, to the east.
Methuen continued to act with great energy and judgment.

At three A.M.
on the 12th be started from Fredericstadt, and by 5 P.M.on Tuesday he had done eighty miles in sixty hours.