On August 18th the Boers were forced with some loss out of Hornies Nek, which is ten miles to the north of the capital.

On the 22nd a more important skirmish took place at Pienaar's River, in the same direction, between Baden-Powell's men, who had come thither in pursuit of De Wet, and Grobler's band.

The advance guards of the two forces galloped into each other, and for once Boer and Briton looked down the muzzles of each other's rifles.

The gallant Rhodesian Regiment, which had done such splendid service during the war, suffered most heavily.

Colonel Spreckley and four others were killed, and six or seven wounded.