"The longer I remained inactive," said he, in his report, "the stronger would the enemy become.

Therefore, on the day my last reinforcement arrived, I decided to continue my advance.

It was out of the question to follow the railway, owing to the large kopjes on either side, which had been strongly entrenched.

Besides, by that route there was not sufficient water." The railroad, after crossing the Modder, runs on the west side of the river nearly due north for two miles, and then turns north-west for two more, when it passes between two kopjes, both fortified.

The right-hand one of these, the Magersfontein, extends to the south-east for three miles, rising there to an abrupt peak about 150 feet high, which is the key of the situation.