Slabbert’s farm, Rondebosch was again the place of refuge for Steyn and de Wet for some days as the President was now seriously ill. De Wet and the President left Rondebosch on 5^th March heading north to the western Transvaal. General De Wet and the President managed to break through the blockhouse lines in their path and cross the Vaal River to meet up with Koos de la Rey. De la Rey’s respected Doctor von Rennenkampf was unable to give much relief to Steyn’s neurological disorder. Lacking the leadership that de Wet provided, the commandos in that part of the Free State could do little more than avoid capture in the last three months of the war.