CHAPTER XXXIII.
A Success at Tweefontein The column had marched to Harrismith.
It was time that I accomplished something further, and I determined that the next blow I struck should be a heavy one.

I therefore retired to the north-east of Bethlehem, and concealed my men in the veldt round Tijgerkloof (which was suited to the purpose) whilst I made my plans.
Colonel Firman's brigade was camped between Bethlehem and Harrismith, at Elands River bridge, where he was building the line of blockhouses between the two towns.

This camp was so well entrenched that there was no possibility of storming it, and I knew that so long as Colonel Firman thought I was still in the neighbourhood he would not dare to come out and give me an opportunity of attacking him.
I saw that a ruse was necessary to entice him out of his fortress.

With this object in view I sent for Commandant Jan Jacobsz, with his fifty men from Witzeshoek.

When he joined me I confided my secret to him, and ordered him to go back with his fifty men, and to let Colonel Firman see him doing so.