them, for the spot where we were did not command a
good view of the surrounding country, and I already
had my eye on some ridges, about half an hour's ride
away. There we should be able to reconnoitre, espe-
cially towards Dewetsdorp, whence I expected the
enemy at any moment. During the retreat Veldtcor-
net de Wet was severely wounded. Moreover, some
of our horses had to be left behind, being too exhaust-
ed to go any further.

We marched on towards Bethulie. When in the
neighbourhood of this town, and of the farm of "Klein
Bloemfontein," I fell in with General Piet Fourie and
Captain Scheepers, and took them with me. While
on this farm I set free the Kaffirs whom I had taken
prisoner at Dewetsdorp; they pretended they had not
been fighting, but were only waggon-drivers. I gave
them a pass to go into Basutoland.

We then proceeded towards Karmel, and just as we
were approaching the farm of "Good Hope," we
caught sight of an English column which had come
from Bethulie, and was making for Smithfield. I at
once opened fire upon them from two sides, but they
were in such good positions that we failed that day to
drive them out. On the morrow, early in the morn-
ing, the fight began afresh.

About four o'clock in the afternoon General Charles
Knox, with a large reinforcement, arrived from Smith-
field, and we had once more to retire. It was here
that I sustained a loss upon my staff--my nephew,
Johannes Jacobus de Wet. It was sad to think that
I should never again see Johannes--so brave and
cheerful as he had always been. His death was a
great shock to me.

Our only other casualties were four burghers wound-
ed, whereas the enemy, unless I am much mistaken,
must have lost heavily.

Whilst this fight was in progress General Hertzog
joined me. We arranged that he should with all speed
make an inroad into Cape Colony, between the Nor-

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