It Became Evident Now That There Was Not Much Chance Of Overtaking
The Main Body Of The Burghers, And An Attempt Was Therefore Made To
Interpose A Fresh Force Who Might Head Them Off.
A line of posts
existed between Thabanchu and Ladybrand, and Colonel Thorneycroft
was stationed there with a movable column.
It was Knox's plan
therefore to prevent the Boers from breaking to the west and to
head them towards the Basuto border. A small column under Parsons
had been sent by Hunter from Bloemfontein, and pushed in upon the
flank of De Wet, who had on the 12th got back to Dewetsdorp. Again
the pursuit became warm, but De Wet's time was not yet come. He
headed for Springhaan Nek, about fifteen miles east of Thabanchu.
This pass is about four miles broad, with a British fort upon
either side of it. There was only one way to safety, for Knox's
mounted infantrymen and lancers were already dotting the southern
skyline. Without hesitation the whole Boer force, now some 2500
strong, galloped at full speed in open order through the Nek,
braving the long range fire of riflemen and guns. The tactics were
those of French in his ride to Kimberley, and the success was as
complete. De Wet's force passed through the last barrier which had
been held against him, and vanished into the mountainous country
round Ficksburg, where it could safely rest and refit.
The result then of these bustling operations had been that De Wet
and his force survived, but that he had failed in his purpose of
invading the Colony, and had dropped some five hundred horses, two
guns, and about a hundred of his men.
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