[Sidenote: [DEC. 7, 1899.] The day after the battle the British column cleansed and occupied the Boer camp, and the Engineers set to work to replace the railway bridge over the Modder. So seriously had the iron girders been damaged that it was necessary to build a new timber bridge, diverting the railway. The work was by no means easy, as the Modder is liable to rise eight feet in a few hours, after the heavy thunderstorms which prevail in the country, so that the new bridge had to be of great strength, while, as the river banks are high, deep cuttings had to be excavated on either side. Yet so skilful and energetic were the railway engineers that by December 7 trains were able to cross to the British camp, and tents, supplies, and heavy baggage were sent forward to the troops. A pontoon bridge had been completed some days earlier, thus securing communications with the south. At the same time the search-light with Lord Methuen's army began nightly to exchange signals with Kimberley. Far away to the north, as the night fell, a beam of light struck the sky from the besieged city and spent its strength in the flickering dots and dashes of the Morse code. The welcome news came that all was well, and that the city was secure behind massive earthworks. While the army waited, to rest the men and give time for the arrival of reinforcements, supplies, and ammunition, it was joined by a regiment of Lancers (the 12th), the G battery of Horse Artillery, one long naval 4·7-inch gun, and four Highland battalions--the 2nd Seaforths, 1st Highland Light Infantry, 1st Gordons, and 2nd Royal Highlanders or Black Watch. Last of all, to complete its artillery, came one battery of 5-inch howitzers, firing 50-lb. shell. Thus, deducting all losses, Lord Methuen had 11,000 infantry, 850 cavalry and mounted infantry, and 750 artillery with thirty guns, not counting the naval weapons. On the line of communications were half the Northampton battalion and some small detachments from other regiments. [Illustration: _F. J. Waugh._] [_After a photo._ ARTILLERY CROSSING THE PONTOON BRIDGE OVER THE MODDER WITH ONE OF THE HOWITZERS.] [Sidenote: British communications threatened.]