If I had made any such attempt, serious consequences would certainly have followed, even if a revolt had not ensued.

The great fault of the burghers was disobedience, and this came especially to the fore when their possessions were in jeopardy.
I now made up my mind to defend the town of Bethlehem.

The following morning I went with the Generals and Commandants to reconnoitre the country, so that I might be able to point out to each of them the position that I wished him to occupy.
Our line of defence began at the south of Wolhuterskop (a kop to the south-west of Bethlehem), and extended from there to the north-west of the town.
When I had given my instructions to the officers, they returned to their commandos, which were stationed behind the first ridges to the south of Bethlehem, and brought them to the positions I had assigned to them.
So many of the horses were exhausted, that a large number of the burghers had to go on foot.

Such of these _Voetgangers_[58] as were not required to attend to the waggons, I placed at Wolhuterskop.
When I had done this I gave notice to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, that as the dorp would be defended, I must insist on the women and children leaving it at once.

It was not long before a number of women and children, and even a few men, started out on their way to Fouriesburg.
The prisoner Vilonel, also, was conducted to this town.
At four o'clock that afternoon the advance guards of the enemy approached; and fifteen of their scouts made their appearance on the ridge to the north of the town.