Waggon after waggon joined in the procession; drivers were shrieking and wielding their whips over the heads of the oxen, and farther behind were cavalrymen mounting their horses.

It was daylight then, although the sun was still below the horizon, and the movements of the enemy could be plainly discerned.

The ox-teams came slowly down the road--there seemed to be no limit to their number--and the generals retreated down the drift to the bottom of the spruit, so that their presence should not be discerned by the enemy, and to await the arrival of the waggons.
The shrieking natives drew nearer, the rumbling of the waggons became more distinct, and soon the first vehicle descended the drift.

A few burghers were sent forward to intercept it.

As soon as it reached the bottom of the spruit the men grasped the bridles of the horses, and instantly there were shrieks from the occupants of the vehicle.