Then they attacked us.

We held our own for a day and a half, but at last had to retreat to the Vaal River, whither the English, doubtless thinking that we were again going to Waterberg, did not pursue us.

This was on the 7th of October, 1900.
I now received a report from General Liebenberg that General Barton and his column were in the neighbourhood of Frederiksstad Station.

He asked me (as he was too weak to venture anything alone) whether I would join him in an attack upon the English General.

I decided to do so, and sent him a confidential letter saying that I would join him in a week's time.
In order to mislead the English, I retreated ostentatiously through Schoemansdrift to the farm of Baltespoort, which stands on the banks of the Rhenoster River, fifteen miles from the drift.