When we were about fifty paces from the line, somebody to our left challenged us: "Halt! Who goes there ?" He challenged us a second time, and then fired.
At once seven or eight sentries fired upon us.

Shots also were directed at us from the right.

Nevertheless we cut through the barbed wire and crossed in safety, the firing still continuing, until we were about fifteen hundred paces on the far side of the line.

Fortunately no one was hit.
Having thus escaped from the last "White Elephant" that we should have to reckon with, the next obstacle to be encountered was the Vaal River.
For the President, since we had crossed the Valsch River, had decided to visit De la Rey, in order to place himself under medical advice.

His eyes had become very weak during the last fortnight or so, and he thought that Dr.Van Rennenkampf might be able to do something for them.
Thus we had to cross the Vaal River.
But we heard that there was a military post at Commandodrift, where we wanted to cross, and further, that all the other fords were occupied by the English.