One hears on all sides the exclamation, "If only Cronje would make the attempt now." It was the morning of the 25th of February.
But the enemy were not to leave us alone for long.

By nine o'clock they were advancing upon us again, with both right and left wing reinforced.
I had only a few shots left for the Krupp, and thirty for the Maxim-Nordenfeldt, and this last ammunition must now be expended on the wings.

One gun I despatched to the right, the other to the left, and the English were checked in their advance.

I had ordered the gunners, as soon as they had fired their last round to bring their guns into safe positions in the direction of Petrusberg.

Very soon I observed that this order was being executed, and thus learnt that the ammunition had run out.
The burghers who, with their rifles, had attempted to hold back the wings, now having no longer any support from the big guns, were unable to stand their ground against the overpowering forces of the enemy, and shortly after the guns were removed, I saw them retreat.
What was I to do?
I was being bombarded incessantly, and since the morning had been severely harassed by small-arm fire.