The kopjes on the farther side of the stream were bristling with Boers, and away on the veldt beyond was drawn up the Staats artillery.

And then one realized a most awful blunder of the Reform Committee, from their point of view.

The Boer forces, arriving hereabouts in hot haste, from a rapid mobilization, had been almost entirely without ammunition.

We were told on good authority that each burgher had but six rounds, and that the field-guns were without any shells at all.

During the night the necessary supply was brought by rail from Pretoria, actually right through Johannesburg.