Having crossed the Tarka River, we were between that river and another
called Vlekpoort River, which flows into the Tarka some six miles from
where we had forded the latter.

The following morning we rode to a farm near by. There we off-saddled,
fed our horses, and began to prepare our breakfast. How stiff, cold and
hungry we were! We could hardly wait until the meat was thoroughly
broiled. Just as we began to satisfy the pangs of hunger the scouts
came back, and once more it was "opzaal! opzaal!" (saddle! saddle!). We
knew what it meant. The enemy was on our heels.

Two columns were on our right flank, between the two rivers. One had
followed us up, and was then on the banks of the Tarka River; another
was encamped in front of us on the banks of the Vlekpoort River; whilst
a fifth was stationed near the confluence of the two streams. Thus five
columns all around us; and the problem to be solved was, how to get out
of the net.

This problem we solved in a practical manner. We occupied at once the
strongest positions we could find, and, fortunately for us, between the
rivers were natural positions so strong, that, with a small number of
men, it was possible to hold one's own against great odds. These
positions we seized, and were determined to stand or fall thereby. We
would fight to the last cartridge, and then try and break through the
cordon during the night.

In the meanwhile the enemy had drawn nearer. At about 8 A.M. the
fighting commenced. From different directions shell after shell was
hurled upon us. Again and again the enemy charged us, but was beaten