The position was still most dangerous, the losses had
been severe, and the Boers were increasing in strength. An
immediate retreat was ordered, and the small column, after ten days
of hardship and anxiety, reached the railway line in safety. The
wounded were left to the care of Smuts, who behaved with chivalry
and humanity.
At about the same date a convoy proceeding from Beaufort West to
Fraserburg was attacked by Malan's commando. The escort, which
consisted of sixty Colonial Mounted Rifles and 100 of the West
Yorkshire militia, was overwhelmed after a good defence, in which
Major Crofton, their commander, was killed. The wagons were
destroyed, but the Boers were driven off by the arrival of Crabbe's
column, followed by those of Capper and Lund. The total losses of
the British in these two actions amounted to twenty-three killed
and sixty-five wounded.
The re-establishment of settled law and order was becoming more
marked every week in those south-western districts, which had long
been most disturbed. Colonel Crewe in this region, and Colonel
Lukin upon the other side of the line, acting entirely with
Colonial troops, were pushing back the rebels, and holding, by a
well-devised system of district defence, all that they had gained.
By the end of February there were none of the enemy south of the
Beaufort West and Clanwilliam line.
