Colonel White then pushed his skirmishers forward into and beyond the watercourse.
The left support under Inspector Dykes then advanced to prolong the first line to the left, but, diverging too much to his left this officer experienced a very hot flanking fire from the farmhouse and plantation, and was driven back with some loss.
Colonel Grey meanwhile had pushed round on the extreme right and come into action.
5.30 p.m.
About this time Major Villiers' patrol returned and reported that the country to our right was open, and that we could easily move round in that direction.
It was now evident that the Boers were in great force, and intended holding their position.
Without the arrival of the Johannesburg force in rear of the Boers—an event which I had been momentarily expecting—I did not feel justified in pushing a general attack, which would have certainly entailed heavy losses on my small force.
[When Celliers and Rowlands left them at 11 a.m. they had not expected anyone. Vide Cellier's report and Colonel H.E. White's letter.]
6.15 p.m.
I accordingly left Inspector Drury with one troop and one Maxim to keep in check the Boers who were now lining the edge of the plateau to our left, and placed Colonel Grey with two troops B.B.P., one 12-1/2 pounder, and one Maxim to cover our left flank and continue firing on the battery and trenches south of the road.