29, everything was in
readiness at Pitsani Camp.

The troops were paraded, and Dr. Jameson read the letter of
invitation from Johannesburg.

He then explained to the force _(a)_ that no hostilities were
intended; _(b)_ that we should only fight if forced to do so in
self-defence; _(c)_ that neither the persons nor property of
inhabitants of the Transvaal were to be molested; _(d)_ that our sole
object was to help our fellow-men in their extremity, and to ensure
their obtaining attention to their just demands.

Dr. Jameson's speech was received with the greatest enthusiasm by the
men, who cheered most heartily.

The above programme was strictly adhered to until the column was
fired upon on the night of the 31st.

Many Boers, singly and in small parties, were encountered on the line
of march; to one and all of these the pacific nature of the
expedition was carefully explained.

[Start from Pitsani.]

The force left Pitsani Camp at 6.30 p.m., December 29, and marched
through the night.

At 5.15 a.m. on the morning of the 30th the column reached the
village of Malmani (39 miles distant from Pitsani).

[Junction effected at Malmani with B.B.P.]

Precisely at the same moment the advanced guard of the Mafeking
Column (under Colonel Grey) reached the village, and the junction was
effected between the two bodies.

For details of the composition of the combined force, as also for
general particulars of the march to Krugersdorp, see sketch of the
route and schedule attached (marked A. and B. respectively).

[Defile at lead-mines passed.]

From Malmani I pushed on as rapidly as possible in order to cross in
daylight the very dangerous defile at Lead Mines. This place, distant
71 miles from Pitsani, was passed at 5.30 p.m., December 30.

I was subsequently informed that a force of several hundred Boers,
sent from Lichtenburg to intercept the force at this point, missed
doing so by three hours only.

[Letter from Commandant-General.]

At our next 'off-saddle' Dr. Jameson received a letter from the
Commandant-General of the Transvaal demanding to know the reason of
our advance, and ordering us to return immediately. A reply was sent
to this, explaining Dr. Jameson's reasons in the same terms as those
used to the force at Pitsani.

[Letter from High Commissioner.]

At Doornport (91 miles from Pitsani), during an 'off-saddle' early on
Tuesday morning, December 31, a mounted messenger overtook us, and
presented