An escort marched towards the Blinkwater on July 5 to deliver the guns to a party of the 91st and some of Lakeman’s volunteers. As they were returning they saw some Kaffirs driving off a cow. The officer in charge would not allow the company to go, but gave permission for ten volunteers to attack them; who immediately doubled to cover. The Kaffirs observing the company did not see the detached party, who cut them off from the bush. There were three men and two women; who seemed so destitute and starved that it was not worth while to make them prisoners. At midnight on the 6th a patrol left the camp, and after marching a considerable distance, were halted, divided into watches, and ordered to conceal themselves. The object was to intercept cattle, supposed to be on the move. But after lying down in concealment during a very cold morning, at sunrise they returned to camp without having effected their object. On the 7th the camp at Bear’s farm was struck, and the tents and baggage placed in the farm-yard under the charge of Captain Woodford’s company. The remainder paraded a little before midnight, with coats and blankets and three days’ rations, which the men were recommended to cook before starting. Soon after they moved off; and marching, in a cold sleet, by the southern heights of the Waterkloof, were joined by another division under General Cathcart.[211] They then proceeded to the ridge separating the Waterkloof valley from Fuller’s Hoek, and after firing shell, shot, and rockets into the bush, bivouacked on the night of the 8th at the head of the pass, after having been fourteen successive hours on the move. They had seen many Kaffirs, who kept close in cover, occasionally firing on our skirmishers. In this affair one Rifleman was killed, shot through the brain while taking aim over a rock. The weather during the time the Battalion was engaged on this reconnaissance was extremely inclement, rain, sleet and snow falling almost incessantly. During the absence of the Battalion the Kaffirs rushed out of the Kloof, and drove off seven oxen feeding near Bear’s farm. The company there immediately stood to their arms; but could not leave their position, as the Kaffirs appeared in number on the neighbouring hills. The waggoners were despatched to secure the oxen; and the Kaffirs at first retired. But seeing that they were only waggoners not soldiers, they returned and made off with their prize. The Battalion returned about noon on the 9th and found the tents pitched and everything made ready for them by their comrades in charge. They were accompanied by two 12-pounders, with the men and horses.