Receiving intelligence of de Wet’s whereabouts near Elandskop, Elliot sent Lieutenant-Colonel de Lisle to capture him but once again de Wet was not where he was supposed to be. The following day de Wet rode eastwards and joined the government at Rondebosch. President Steyn had remained there and had been well outside the limits of the first drive. De Wet’s intelligence, for once was faulty and on the approach of Elliot from the west he made the decision to cross the Wilge River and try to break through the British line somewhere near the Drakensberg. President Steyn and the government would have to come too as Elliot’s men approached.