. South Africa and the Transvaal War. he road, I advancedrapidly across the plateau towards Krugersdorp in the direction ofthe firing, in the formation shown in the accompanying sketch. 162 The Raid After advancing thus for nearly a mile the firing ceased, andwe perceived the Boers moving in great force to meet the flankers on the right reported another force threatening thatflank. Fearing that an attempt would be made to cut us off from theammunition carts, I ordered a retreat on them. It was now clear that the firing, whatever might have been thecause thereof, was not occasioned b
. South Africa and the Transvaal War. he road, I advancedrapidly across the plateau towards Krugersdorp in the direction ofthe firing, in the formation shown in the accompanying sketch. 162 The Raid After advancing thus for nearly a mile the firing ceased, andwe perceived the Boers moving in great force to meet the flankers on the right reported another force threatening thatflank. Fearing that an attempt would be made to cut us off from theammunition carts, I ordered a retreat on them. It was now clear that the firing, whatever might have been thecause thereof, was not occasioned by the arrival of any force fromJohannesburg. Precious moments had been lost in the attempt to stand by ourfriends at all costs, under the mistaken supposition that they couldnot fail to carry out their repeated promises, renewed to us by letterso lately as n this same day. It was now very nearly the dusk the Boers could be seen closing in on three sides, viz.,north, east, and south. The road to Johannesburg appeared com-. pletely barred, and the last opportunity of slipping through, whichhad presented itself an hour ago when the renewed firing was heard,was gone not to return. Nothing remained but to bivouac in the best position available. But for the unfortunate circumstance of the firing, which weafterwards heard was due to the exultation of the Boers at the arrivalof large reinforcements from Potchefstroom, the column would havebeen by this time (7 ), at least four or five miles further on theroad to Johannesburg, with an excellent chance of reaching thattown without further opposition. I moved the column to the edge of a wide valley to the rightof the road, and formed the horses in quarter column under cover ofthe slope. The carts were formed up in the rear and on both flanks,and five Maxims were placed along the front so as to sweep the plateau. The other three Maxims and the heavy guns were posted onthe rear and flank faces. 163 South Africa The men were
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