But it was impossible to wait for them, and there was nothing left but to proceed without them.
When we arrived at the Valsch River, there was a sound of shouting behind us, and presently the cattle appeared coming over a rise.

I heard from the drivers that they had lost their way, and had only reached the blockhouses at daylight.

But they had succeeded in breaking through under a fierce rifle fire.

Twenty head of cattle had been killed or wounded, and one of the men's horses had been shot under him.
The burghers who had accomplished this valiant deed were: Jan Potgieter, Gert Potgieter, Jzoon, and Wessel Potgieter--all from the district of Heilbron.
I have, myself, seen a report in an English paper of my breaking through the blockhouse line.

This paper declared that I had driven a great herd of cattle in front of me to break down the fencing!...