I intended my principal occupation to be to interrupt the communications of the enemy by wrecking the line and telegraph.
With regard to the main line in the Free State I must remark here that things there were in a different condition from what they were on the Krugersdorp line, which we had crossed.

The Free State railway was Lord Roberts' principal line of communication, and he had provided guards for it everywhere.
During the night of August 21st, we arrived at Vanvurenskloof.

How delightful it was when the sun rose to see once more the well-known mountains to the south of the Vaal River in our own Free State! "There is the Free State," we called out to each other when day broke.
Every one was jubilant at seeing again that country which of all the countries on the earth is the best.

From here I despatched General Botha with the purpose of collecting the burghers of Vrede and Harrismith who had remained at home, and of bringing them back to join me.
We remained only as long as was necessary to rest the horses, and then at once went on.

The same evening we arrived at the farm of Rhenosterpoort, where our laager had waited since we had crossed the Vaal River more than a week ago.
The proprietor of the farm of Rhenosterpoort was old Mr.Jan Botha.