Through this line we should have to fight our way; this would be difficult enough, and it would never do to have General Knox at our heels, to increase the difficulty.

Our only plan, then, was to make a long night march, and thus to get well out of the way.
Accordingly, I gave orders to the men to hold their positions until dark, and to let the enemy see that they were doing so.

I had even had _schanzes_ built, so as to impress them with the idea that I intended to attack them the following day if they advanced towards my positions.

And just before the night came on, I ordered the burghers to show themselves from behind all our _schanzes_.
Then night fell, and I at once gave orders to march off.
The burghers could not understand this, and began to grumble about it--what could their General mean?
Why this sudden change in his plans?
I said nothing, but thought to myself, "You shall know why to-morrow." We marched directly towards Springhaansnek.

It was very slow work, for many of the burghers' horses were so weak that their owners had to go on foot.