Five hundred Boers suddenly rode down upon the helpless line of wagons and took possession of them.

The escort rallied, however, upon a kopje, and, though attacked all day, succeeded in holding their own until help arrived.

They prevented the Boers from destroying or carrying off as much of the convoy as was under their guns, but the rest was looted and burned.

The incident was a most unfortunate one, as it supplied the enemy with a large quantity of stores, of which they were badly in need.

It was the more irritating as it was freely rumoured that a Boer attack was pending; and there is evidence that a remonstrance was addressed from the convoy before it left Rietfontein to the General of the district, pointing out the danger to which it was exposed.