the
Boers breaking back, and a post to which prisoners' families and cattle
could be forwarded on their way to join the head-quarters at
Paardeplaats, whither General Kitchener had gone from Vaal Kop.

The Regiment, with the Australian mounted troops, operating through
dense bush proceeded in the direction of the Oliphant's River, capturing
a considerable number of prisoners, cattle, wagons, and families,
amongst the prisoners being Commandant Fourie.

Eight privates of the Regiment, who were escorting an ammunition cart,
and who had lost their way, captured six Boers with all their cattle and
brought them into camp.

When within twelve miles of the Oliphant's River, Davies, hearing that
Commandant Schroeder with a small commando was directly between him and
Plumer's column on the Oliphant's River, split his force into two. The
infantry, comprising five companies of the Regiment, were sent back
under Captain Jacson, with all the prisoners wagons and families to
Enkeldedoorn, while Davies himself, with the Australians and one gun,
started in pursuit of Schroeder. On nearing the Oliphant's River it was
ascertained that Schroeder, with forty-one men and one Maxim gun and
several wagons, had been forced by Davies' mounted troops across the
river into the hands of Plumer, who had them in safe keeping.

Jacson's train of prisoners reached Enkeldedoorn on April 26th, and on
the following day he received orders to proceed at once to
Zuikerboschplaats and to take with him Bartlett's two companies from
Enkeldedoorn. This place was reached at dusk, and shortly afterwards
Davies brought up his Australians to the same camp, his column being
then again united. The northern part of the bush veldt having been swept
clear of Boers, Davies then moved due south and scoured the country
round the Tafel Kop mountain, capturing a number of prisoners and
wagons. Haartebeestfontein was reached late in the evening of the 28th,
some of the companies of the Regiment having marched over hill and dale
through thick scrub more than twenty miles. Four men had lost their way
and were missing.

Orders were received on the following day from General Kitchener for
Davies' force to rejoin head-quarters at Paardeplaats. An early start
was made at 6 a.m. Lackau, 12-1/2 miles, was reached at 11 a.m., and
here the column halted and the cattle outspanned till 2.30 p.m. The heat
in the bush veldt was excessive, and was very trying to the men and
cattle. A