A few shells exploding in the ranks scattered the force temporarily and caused horses to rear and plunge, but the gaps quickly disappeared, and the men moved on down the slope.

Boers rode rapidly down the spruit and out upon the veld behind a low range of kopjes which lay in front of the British force.

Horses were left in charge of native servants, and the burghers crept forward on hands and knees to the summit of the range.

They carefully concealed themselves behind rocks and bushes and waited for the enemy to approach more closely.

The cavalrymen spread out in skirmishing order as they proceeded, and, ignorant of the proximity of the Boers, drew their horses into a walk.