As I was watching their movements from the top of Elandskop, I was informed by heliogram[102] from Blaauwkop and Verkijkerskop that there was a cordon of the English from Frankfort to a spot between Bethlehem and Lindley.
The intention of the enemy appeared to be to drive us against the Heilbron-Kroonstad blockhouses and the railway line.

We had therefore to be prepared to fight our way through the blockhouses.

And these, as I found out lately, had been greatly strengthened.
On the 6th of February I was on the march, intending to advance to Slangfontein, to the west of Heilbron.

I sent orders to Commandants Mentz, Van der Merwe, and Van Coller, to take a portion of Commandant Bester's burghers, telling them to go to Slangfontein.

For I hoped to break through at some point or other that night.
Still nearer the enemy came, marching almost shoulder to shoulder.
The Commandants Van Coller and Van der Merwe did not go to Slangfontein.
They broke through the English columns near Jagersrust, and crossed the Heilbron-Frankfort blockhouse line, where they put a few soldiers to flight, not, however, without a loss of two burghers, who were killed.
Neither did the burghers under Veldtcornets Taljaart and Prinsloo arrive.