On the 5th one company proceeded with a party of the 74th as a covering party to protect those engaged in road-making in the Blinkwater. The scouts reported traces of cattle near Bushneck; and on the 6th Captains Rooper’s and Woodford’s companies, accompanied by a party of the Cape Corps and some Fingoes, started at 4 A.M. under command of Major Horsford, and after marching round by the hills and destroying many huts so hurriedly left by the Kaffirs that they found them full of necklaces, and various utensils, and even one young child left behind, they returned to camp about 2 o’clock. On the 8th a patrol under command of Colonel Buller, accompanied by two guns, proceeded early to the hills at the mouth of the Waterkloof. However the Kaffirs, though occupying it in great strength, would not show themselves. And after firing about twenty rounds from the guns into the kloof, the patrol returned to camp. It seemed that the Kaffirs by watching were aware of every movement made by the Riflemen, and so avoided an attack. But it was thought that these frequent patrols harassed them as much as if they had been brought to an actual engagement. On the 17th four companies, Lord Alexander Russell’s, Woodford’s, Hardinge’s and Glyn’s, moved before daylight for the Waterkloof; and arriving near the scene of the skirmish on April 29, burned several huts and captured three horses, several shots being fired from the kloof. No enemy then appeared. But as the patrol began to retire they showed themselves in all directions. Several men had been left in ambush near the burning huts; and they were soon busily engaged. The patrol was extended, and retired by companies, each company facing the enemy in turn, while the rest moved to the rear. As soon as they left a position, or passed over rising ground, it was taken possession of by the enemy who kept up a smart fire from their large elephant pieces. Happily their aim was generally too high; but three of the Riflemen were wounded. They were about four hours engaged; and retired fighting over about 5 miles. Twice they halted and endeavoured to bring the Kaffirs to close quarters; but they declined meeting them on the plain. The Battalion remained at Bear’s farm without any important occurrence until the 27th, when three companies, Rooper’s, Somerset’s and Glyn’s, proceeded on patrol at 5 A.M. under the command of Major Horsford, for Ingilby’s farm; and discovered numerous traces of cattle but did not come upon any Kaffirs.