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In the Shadow of Death by P. H. Kritzinger;R. D. McDonald
page 78 of 220 (35%)
barren and desolate part of the Colony where one is entirely
dependent upon forage, and where, unfortunately for us, none was to
be had.

"I expected that the British would intercept us. They knew about De
Wet's intended invasion; and had every facility by rail for
mobilising and seizing all the points of consequence. Whilst we had
to ride all the way from Winburg district, they had the advantage
of being transported by rail--an advantage which can hardly be
over-estimated.

"Encumbered with guns and waggons, we could not dodge the enemy. We
either had to seize the passes or proceed in a direction which
might lead to fatal results. To do the former appeared impossible
to De Wet, and so the latter course was reluctantly adopted. If it
were not for the convoy, we would have achieved our object and
would have entered those districts where commandoes could exist.

"The enemy was engaged till dusk. We had no casualties; but
Commandant Ross and a number of his men were cut off. They managed
to reach the Orange Free State safely. How they found their way
through the various columns, I can't say--a Boer, if need be, can
retire wonderfully well! At sunset our convoy almost fell into the
hands of the enemy. What a pity it did not! It would have saved us
so much needless trouble, and we would have been far better off
without it.

"Most of the night we remained in the saddle. The General was
anxious to get as far away as possible from the columns, to rest
his horses for a few hours. But the British, so it seemed, were
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