He left Taungs upon February 2nd, fighting skirmishes at Uitval's Kop, Paardefontein and Lilliefontein, in each of which the enemy was brushed aside.

Passing through Wolmaranstad, Methuen turned to the north, where at Haartebeestefontein, on February 19th, he fought a brisk engagement with a considerable force of Boers under De Villiers and Liebenberg.

On the day before the fight he successfully outwitted the Boers, for, learning that they had left their laager in order to take up a position for battle, he pounced upon the laager and captured 10,000 head of cattle, forty-three wagons, and forty prisoners.

Stimulated by this success, he attacked the Boers next day, and after five hours of hard fighting forced the pass which they were holding against him.

As Methuen had but 1500 men, and was attacking a force which was as large as his own in a formidable position, the success was a very creditable one.