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Methuen on the morning
of the 10th struck away to the west, sending messages back to
Broadwood and Kitchener in the rear that they should bear to the
east, and so nurse the Boer column between them. At the same time
he sent on a messenger, who unfortunately never arrived, to warn
Smith-Dorrien at Bank Station to throw himself across De Wet's
path. On the 11th it was realised that De Wet had succeeded, in
spite of great exertions upon the part of Smith-Dorrien's infantry,
in crossing the railway line, and that he had left all his pursuers
to the south of him. But across his front lay the Magaliesberg
range. There are only three passes, the Magato Pass, Olifant's Nek,
and Commando Nek. It was understood that all three were held by
British troops. It was obvious, therefore, that if Methuen could
advance in such a way as to cut De Wet off from slipping through to
the west he would be unable to get away. Broadwood and Kitchener
would be behind him, and Pretoria, with the main British army, to
the east.


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