The following night I returned by the way I had come, and crossed the river a little to the west of Schoemansdrift.
When on the following night we were again in the saddle I heard from many a mouth, "Whither now ?" Our destination was Frederiksstad Station, where we were to engage General Barton.

Previous to an attack, thorough scouting should always take place.

Accordingly I sent out my scouts, and discovered that General Liebenberg had entirely cut off the English from their communications, so that, except for heliographic messages, they were entirely out of touch with the rest of their forces.

Now I do not know if they had "smelt a rat," but they were certainly well entrenched near the station on ridges to the south-east and to the north.
We had therefore to besiege General Barton in his entrenchments.

For the first five days we held positions to the east, to the south, and to the north-west.