We therefore retired to Blauwkop, and on the following day to Bethlehem.
In the meantime I had once more become encumbered with a large waggon camp, which proved a source of great danger.

During the last few weeks waggons had been accumulating round me without attracting my attention.
The reason that the burghers were so anxious to bring their waggons with them, was to be found in the fact that the English, whenever they arrived at one of our farms, always took the waggons and oxen.

The Boers felt it very hard to be robbed in this way of their property; and they hoped to be able to save their waggons and carts by taking them to the commando.
It was natural for them to wish to save all they could; but I was convinced that the waggons could only be saved at the expense of our great cause.

But nobody could see it in that light.

And as I could only appeal to the free will of my burghers, I dare not attempt to get rid of the waggons by force.