As the burghers there were hidden from me, I was unable to observe from where I stood the effect of this flank movement.

Knowing that if they were able to give way and to retreat along the river we should have no means of discovering the fact until it was too late and we were surrounded, I came to the conclusion that it was essential for me to go to Roodepoort to assure myself that the cavalry had not yet got round.

But it was most important that no suspicion of the danger which threatened us should be aroused in the burghers--anything calculated to weaken their resistance was to be avoided on such an occasion.

Accordingly I merely told them that I was going to see how affairs were progressing at Roodepoort, and that in the meantime they must hold their position.
I rode off, and discovered that the English were already so close to our troops at Roodepoort that fighting with small arms had begun.

I had just reached an eminence between Roodepoort and the Honingkopjes when I saw that the burghers in the position furthest towards the north-west were beginning to flee.