The Manchesters acted as rear-guard, and the Dublin Fusiliers, who were hurried down from Dundee by train, came late, and then were hurried back again.

The column took all its stores and forage for five days in a train of waggons (horses, mules, and oxen) about two miles long.

When day broke we saw the great mountains on the Basuto border, gleaming with snow like the Alps.

Far in front the cavalry--the 5th Lancers and 19th Hussars with the Natal Volunteers--were sweeping over the patches of plain and struggling up the hills in search of that reported laager.

But not a Boer of it was to be seen.