Orange River at a point five miles below Odendaal's Stroom. It was a
dark night, and the water was still very high, but we all reached the
opposite bank in safety. There we came upon the guard of the drift, as
they were indulging in a game of cards. One was wounded, two ran away
and eight were captured. They did not expect us to cross the river at 2
A.M., and were thus taken unawares.

We were now once more in British territory. But what a contrast between
this and our first invasion in the beginning of the war! No large
commandoes, no waggons, and no guns. We were only 300 men--a raiding
band, as some contemptuously called us--with one Maxim, and even that
proved too cumbersome, for we soon cast it into a pool. Instead of
waggons and tents we had only our horses and mackintoshes, and some were
even without the latter. No large supplies of ammunition; our bandoliers
were almost all half empty.

The morning of the 16th of December, then, found us in the Cape Colony.
We had made up our minds to spend at least some months in the enemy's
country. Come what may, we would not return to the Orange Free State. If
the British had the right to stay in the Republics, why should we not
tarry awhile in the Colony? From the river we made a forced march to
Venterstad, a small village lower down the stream. We needed an
outfitting, and thought that that would be the most likely place where
we would get it. We only had to surprise the garrison, about 50 strong,
and we would have all we wanted. In this we were quite successful. The
garrison, or town-guard, soon hoisted the white flag.

We could now fill our bandoliers, and requisition the necessary articles
in clothing, boots, etc. But the enemy was not slow to follow us. We
were just allowed sufficient time to take all we required, and then the