If we did not do this, then we should have the enemy close in our rear, and perhaps an armour train threatening us in front.

But ...

there were the burghers on foot and those who had weak horses; and I had not the heart to make them march on foot for so long a time, yet the thought of allowing such trustworthy patriotic burghers to fall into the hands of the enemy was unbearable.

I therefore decided on letting them take a cross road to the north, to the banks of the Orange River about five miles from our position.

There, on the banks of the river, were many bushes amongst which they could hide themselves until the enemy had passed by.