The burghers, although against orders, stripped every prisoner.

The English had begun by taking away, or burning, the clothes which the burghers had left in their houses--that was bad enough.

But that they should cut up the hides, which they found in the tanning tubs, was still worse; and--the burghers paid them back in the same coin by stripping the troops.
Towards the end of May I crossed the railway line to Parijs and Vredefort, intending to go on from there to see General De la Rey, and discuss our affairs with him.

I had come to the conclusion that it would be good policy to send small commandos into Cape Colony; for small bodies of men can move rapidly, and are thus able to get out of the way if they are threatened by overpowering numbers.

Moreover, such small detachments would compel the English to divide their forces.
When I reached Vredefort I received a despatch from President Steyn, summoning me to him.