We should have been in a great difficulty had not one of our burghers, Pietersen, who knew this district thoroughly, brought us across the river by a footpath ford.
We crossed on March 15th.

The current was so strong that in places the horses were almost swimming; in other places the river-bed was strewn with huge boulders, over which our steeds had to climb.

However, we all managed to get safely over, and arrived at Witpoort on the evening of the 16th.

On the following day we joined General De la Rey.
It was a most interesting occasion.

We had a hearty reception, several impromptu "addresses" being presented to the President, who in turn spoke to the burghers with much fire and enthusiasm.