In order to reach this town they would have to start by the Bethlehem road, from which the Harrismith road forks, at about eight thousand paces from the town.
Our horses stood ready up-saddled; I had only to give the order to mount.
I meant to cross the Bethlehem road and go to a deep hollow which I knew of near the Harrismith road; then, when the English appeared against the horizon, we would fire at them.
But my scouts had blundered.

The English were not going to Harrismith after all.

For as we came to the Bethlehem road, we nearly stumbled over them.

They were riding quietly along only a short distance from us.

As we were galloping they knew of our proximity before we were aware of theirs, and when we were less than two hundred paces from them they opened fire.
"Charge, burghers!" They all heard me, but they did not all obey.