My men and I galloped towards the English, and
our other two parties did the same. But before we
reached them, they again began to shoot, killing Veldt-
cornet Du Plessis, of Kroonstad. This treacherous act
enraged our burghers, who at once commenced to fire
with deadly effect.

Soon the white flag appeared above almost every
stone behind which an Englishman lay, but our men
did not at once cease firing. Indeed! I had the
greatest difficulty in calming them, and in inducing
them to stop, for they were, as may well be imagined,
furious at the misuse of the white flag.

Strewn everywhere about on the ground lay the
English killed and wounded. According to the offi-
cial statement, they had a hundred casualties, the
commanding officer himself being amongst the killed.

We took four hundred and seventy prisoners of
war, all of them belonging to the Royal Irish Rifles
and the Mounted Infantry. But I cared nothing to
what regiment they belonged or what was the rank of
the officer in command. Throughout the whole war
I never troubled myself about such matters.

Our loss, in addition to Veldtcornet Du Plessis,
whose death I have just described, was only six
wounded.

I had no longer any need to fear a reinforcement
from Reddersburg, but nevertheless there was no time
to be lost, for I had just heard from a prisoner of war
that a telegram had been sent from Dewetsdorp to the
garrison at Smithfield, bidding them consult their own
safety by withdrawing to Aliwal North. I made up
my mind to capture that garrison before it could de-
camp. I waited until I saw that the English ambu-
lances were busy with their wounded, and then with
all speed rode off.

As the direct road might prove to be held by Lord
Roberts, I caused the prisoners of war to be marched
to Winburg via Thaba' Nchu. From thence they were
to be sent forward by rail to Pretoria.

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