In charge of the camp and the stores were 800 of the Yorkshire Light Infantry, an old muzzle-loading 9-pounder, a Hotchkiss 6-pounder, and 150 men of the Engineers and Army Service Corps. When the garrison was withdrawn from Naauwpoort, these were reinforced by nine 15-pounder field-guns of the Field Artillery and 400 of the Berkshire Regiment. The force at the Orange River bridge, sixty miles to the north, which was now in touch with the enemy, was also strengthened till it mustered about 2,500 men, composed of the 9th Lancers, Rimington's Guides--a regiment of horse raised in Cape Colony--the Northumberland Fusiliers, the Royal Munster Fusiliers, nine guns of the Field Artillery, and an armoured train. [Illustration: THE DOCKS, CAPE TOWN, November 18, 1899. Showing transports in the bay and harbour; so many large vessels had never before been seen in Table Bay. The covered jetty is known as "The South Arm," and is where all the troops disembarked. Trains ran alongside, and went direct from the docks to the front.] [Illustration: LANDING MULES AT PORT ELIZABETH. Great numbers of mules, purchased in South America and elsewhere, were conveyed in special vessels to South Africa for transport purposes.] [Sidenote: [NOV. 10, 1899.] The main British camp lay to the south of the river and of the red iron bridge which spans its muddy waters. To the north the bridge head was entrenched and held by a small detachment. Away to the north and east and west stretched the monotonous veldt covered with sage-green brushwood, its surface broken here and there by abruptly-rising, stony hills. [Sidenote: Reconnaissance towards Belmont.] The first encounter with the enemy in this quarter took place on November 10. On this day a reconnaissance was carried out to the north-west by a small column under Colonel Gough, 700 strong, composed mostly of mounted men--cavalry and infantry--and having with it one field battery. The column left Orange River on the 9th, and, pushing forward, located a Boer position on a long semicircular ridge, nine miles to the east of Belmont. Attempts were successfully made to compel the enemy to disclose the extent of his position and the strength of his force. For that purpose two squadrons of Lancers threatened the enemy's left, and 200 mounted infantry his right, while the artillery opened fire. The enemy replied but feebly. Then the mounted infantry pushed rapidly forward, hoping to get behind the Boers and cut off their retreat. More troops were signalled for to Orange River, and at once all the men remaining in camp were entrained and sent forward. [Illustration: THE NUCLEUS OF A GREAT MILITARY DEPOT. ORANGE RIVER CAMP IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR.]