Some estimated the intervening distance at a mile, others were positive it was not more than a thousand yards--it was not light enough to distinguish accurately.

"Tell the burghers that I will fire the first shot," said General De Wet to one of his staff.

Immediately the order was spread to the men in the spruit.

"I see men leading oxen to the waggons; they are preparing to trek," remarked a commandant.

"They are coming down this way," announced another, slapping his thigh joyfully.
A few minutes afterwards clouds of dust arose, and at intervals the waggons in the van could be seen coming down the slope toward the drift.
The few tents fell, and men in brown uniforms moved hither and thither near the waterworks building.