Notwithstanding the failure of the Cordua plot, the towns of Johannesburg and Pretoria continued to seethe with disaffection and intrigue. Anarchists and ruffians of all nations were known to be in league against the authorities, and a strict watch was kept over their movements, with the result that five Italians, four Greeks, and a Frenchman were arrested on the 16th of November. They had prepared a diabolical plot against the life of the Commander-in-Chief--their intention having been to explode a mine in the church to be attended by him on the 18th--a plot which was fortunately discovered before any ill consequences could arise. Minor engagements took place near Frankfort, and Dainsfontein, fine hauls of stock were made at Klersdorp and Heidelberg, near which regions were nests of marauders. A serious disaster occurred at Dewetsdorp on the 23rd of November, when the garrison, some 400, consisting of 68th Field Battery, detachments of Gloucesters, Highland Light Infantry, and Irish Rifles, the whole under Major Massy, after losing fifteen killed and forty-two wounded, surrendered to the enemy, who numbered about 2500. The Dutchmen, under De Wet, had invested the place on the 18th, and poured a heavy fire on the position occupied by the Highlanders, creeping nightly nearer and nearer, and ceasing neither day nor night in their attack. The water supply was cut off, and the wretched men were scorched by sun and torn by raging thirst. By the 22nd their position was rendered untenable, but through the gallantry of their comrades, the men were able to retire on their main position. But the occupation of their trenches rendered the situation hopeless, and ammunitionless and waterless, surrender was inevitable.[17] A column, 1400, had been sent to the relief but failed to arrive in time. General C. Knox joined this force and entered the town, which he found evacuated, seventy-five sick and wounded being left behind. He promptly pursued the Dutchmen, and caught Steyn and De Wet and their followers near Vaalbank on the 27th, and handled them somewhat roughly, scattering them west and north-west, and capturing two waggons and stampeding 300 horses.