On the 20th a reconnaissance toward Elandslaagte {p.049} was made by General French, who had arrived the day before from England.

Thick weather prevented precise determination of the hostile numbers or position, but the general fact was established.

That evening the successful results of the day's action at Dundee became known, and the next morning--Saturday, October 21--the reconnaissance was resumed under better atmospheric conditions.

From a cliff between two and three miles from Elandslaagte a clear view of the enemy was obtained, and their fire drawn, which proved that both numerically and in artillery they were superior to the detachment before them.

They had expected reinforcements, and those engaged in the ensuing affair were probably nearer 2,000 than to the 1,000 of two days before.
French telegraphed to Ladysmith and received a promise of more troops, the last of which arrived--the infantry by train--about 3 P.M.
Meantime the enemy had quitted Elandslaagte for a ridge of rocky hills about a mile and a half south-east of the station--a position characterised as exceptionally strong by Sir George White, who witnessed {p.050} the affair, but left its management in French's hands.