The messenger had received the answer to my letter, and had covered about a hundred paces on his way back, when the enemy opened so heavy a fire upon him that it is inexplicable how he managed to come through unscathed.
The answer which he brought from the officer was in the following terms:-- "I'm d----d if I surrender!" I at once ordered my men to rush the positions which I had already pointed out to them; and notwithstanding the fierce opposition of the enemy, they succeeded in carrying out my orders.
But although we had thus gained very good positions, those which the English held were quite as good, and perhaps even better, except for the fact that they were cut off from the water.

However, when they had first become aware of our presence--that is, while they were at Muishondsfontein--they had taken the precaution of filling their water-bottles.
Our guns did not arrive until so late in the afternoon that only a few shots could be fired before it became dark.
Acting upon my orders, the burghers kept such good watch during the night that escape was impossible for the English.

I also sent a strong guard to a point near Reddersburg, for I had heard that a reinforcement of from thirteen hundred to two thousand British troops had come from the direction of Bothathanie railway station, and were now encamped at Reddersburg.
I had begun operations with only four hundred men under me, but before the sun rose on the following day my force had been doubled by the addition of those who had been compelled to remain behind and rest their tired horses.
On the previous evening it had seemed to me highly improbable that we should be able to storm the ridge in the morning.

I had expected that the force at Reddersburg--which lay only about four or five miles from Mostertshoek--would have seen the fight in progress, or heard the cannonading, and would have hastened to the assistance of their comrades.[35] Nevertheless, I had given orders that as soon as it was daylight, every one must do his utmost to force the English to surrender.
It was now rapidly growing lighter, and I ordered the gunners to keep up a continuous fire with our three Krupps.

This they did from half-past five until eleven o'clock, and then the enemy hoisted the white flag.
My men and I galloped towards the English, and our other two parties did the same.