Both Col.

Booker and Major Gillmor seemed convinced that all was not right in the bush.

The leading company of the column was then sent out to reconnoitre to the left in the direction of these horses, in skirmishing order, supported by the next company.

The column remained at the halt.

After the skirmishers had advanced to within a short distance of where the horses were, the bugle sounded the "retire" or the "incline" to the skirmishers, and the column was advanced.