At that moment another train was seen coming up with the 1st Devons, and within an hour a fourth arrived with five companies of the Gordons.

The 42nd Field Battery then came, and the 21st later; the 5th Lancers with a few 5th Dragoon Guards, and a large contingent of Natal mounted volunteers.

That was our force.

It took up a strong and fairly concealed position behind a rise in the road to the left of the railway and waited.

Meantime the Boer scouts crept along that rocky ridge on our right front and down into the plain, firing into us at long range, quite without effect.
At half-past one General French, who had taken command, sent out a few Lancers to watch our left, and a large force of mixed cavalry to the right.