As they were Transvaalers, they answered my question in the negative.
"But has nobody on horseback crossed here ?" I said.
"Oh, yes! the Big Constable[40] crossed," one of them replied.

"And he told us not to pass over the drift." "What was he like ?" I inquired.
"He was a man with a long red beard." I knew now who the "Big Constable" had been; and when I afterwards told the President for whom he had been taken, he was greatly amused.
General Philip Botha discussed the state of affairs with me, and we both came to the conclusion that if Lord Roberts attacked us with his united forces, his superior numbers would render it impossible for us to hold our disadvantageous positions round Kroonstad.

We had also to take into consideration the fact that my commando could not reach the town before the following day.

Whilst we were still talking, news arrived that there was a strong force of cavalry on the banks of the Valsch River, six miles from Kroonstad, and that it was rapidly approaching the town.
On hearing this, I hastened back to the south of the township, where a body of Kroonstad burghers had off-saddled, and I ordered them to get into their saddles immediately, and ride with me to meet the enemy.

In less time than it takes to describe it, we were off.