It was fortunate for us that the advance of the English was not very rapid.

Had it been so, everything must have fallen into their hands.
In the evening we came to Abraham's Kraal, a farm belonging to Mr.
Charles Ortel, some eighteen miles from Poplar Grove.

The enemy were encamped about an hour and a half's ride from us.
The next morning the burghers had but one desire, and that was to get away.

It was only with the greatest difficulty that I succeeded in persuading them to go into position.

I then hastened to Bloemfontein, in order to take counsel with the Government about our affairs generally, and especially to see what would be the most suitable positions to occupy for the defence of the capital.