This effected, the British would have a stern chase, proverbially long, and in this instance certainly fruitless.
Cronje nearly succeeded.

Early on Friday morning the British at Klip Drift saw north of them a great cloud of dust, moving eastward.

It was the Boer convoy, in rear of which doubtless was their army.

Kitchener sent out mounted infantry to get to the north of the retreating force, while a brigade of foot was directed to keep along the river's bank.
Word was sent at once to French in Kimberley, who was employing that day in clearing the country north of the town.

The field telegraph being cut by the enemy, he received Kitchener's message late at night.
This, after stating Cronje's movements, added that {p.278} if he, "with all available horses and guns, could head him, and prevent him from crossing the river, the infantry from Klip Drift would press on and annihilate or take the whole force prisoners."[37] [Footnote 37: "The Cavalry Rush to Kimberley," p.
210.] French left at 3.30 A.M.with one brigade and three batteries, the others to follow as they could with their worn-out animals.