Up sprang the sleepers, rushed for their horses, and galloped away across the veld, leaving their guns and wagons behind.
A few stalwarts remained, however, and their numbers were increased by those whose horses had stampeded, and who were, therefore, unable to get away.

They occupied an enclosed kraal and a farmhouse in front of the British, whence they opened a sharp fire.

At the same time a number of the Boers who had ridden away came back again, having realised how weak their assailants were, and worked round the British flanks upon either side.
Le Gallais, with his men, had come up, but the British force was still far inferior to that which it was attacking.

A section of U battery was able to unlimber, and open fire at four hundred yards from the Boer position.

The British made no attempt to attack, but contented themselves with holding on to the position from which they could prevent the Boer guns from being removed.