But the Heidelberg and Pretoria commandos had now, for the first time, no corn remaining for food.

In the neighbourhood of Boksburg the only grain left was the old maize of the previous year, whilst there were no cattle at all in the district.

When he had visited Boksburg he had found that the commandos had had no meat for three days.

In the country between Vereeniging and Ermelo there were only thirty-six goats, and no cattle whatsoever.

In the Wakkerstroom district, however, there were still a few slaughter-cattle.