But very soon General Knox was again at our heels, and, to escape him, I marched west in the direction of Edenburg, hoping at last to be able to get into Cape Colony.

Not only were the forces of General Knox _behind_ us, but, when we arrived at the farm of "Hexrivier," and thus were within two hours' march of Edenburg, I heard from my scouts, whom I had sent on in advance, that there was a great English column in _front_ of us at that town.
In the evening, therefore, I turned off towards the east, and marched in the direction of Wepener.
The following morning the enemy was again on our track; but, as we had covered twenty miles during the night, we were so far ahead that it was unnecessary for us to move very fast during that and the following day.
At mid-day, the 13th of December, we took up excellent positions--placed in a line of about eight miles from end to end--on the farm called "Rietfontein," which is in the district of Wepener, north-east of Daspoort.

We were so strongly posted that the enemy had to halt and wait for the arrival of the rearguard.

I had calculated on this, and knew that darkness would come to our aid before the English were ready to attack us.

But in front of us there was a strong line of forts, extending from Bloemfontein through Thaba'Nchu and Springhaansnek, to Ladybrand.