The British columns still kept in touch with De Wet, but
found it impossible to bring him to an action in the difficult
district to which he had withdrawn. His force had split up into
numerous smaller bodies, capable of reuniting at a signal from
their leader. These scattered bodies, mobile as ever, vanished if
seriously attacked, while keenly on the alert to pounce upon any
British force which might be overpowered before assistance could
arrive. Such an opportunity came to the commando led by Philip
Botha, and the result was another petty reverse to the British
arms.
Upon January 3rd Colonel White's small column was pushing north, in
co-operation with those of Knox, Pilcher, and the others. Upon that
date it had reached a point just north of Lindley, a district which
has never been a fortunate one for the invaders. A patrol of
Kitchener' s newly raised bodyguard, under Colonel Laing, 120
strong, was sent forward to reconnoitre upon the road from Lindley
to Reitz.
The scouting appears to have been negligently done, there being
only two men out upon each flank. The little force walked into one
of those horse-shoe positions which the Boers love, and learned by
a sudden volley from a kraal upon their right that the enemy was
present in strength.
