Turning from gallant little Mafeking to the earlier stages of the siege of Kimberley, Boer forces had assembled at Boshof and Jacobsdal, the one to the north-east, the other to the south of that town, in readiness for a move when President Kruger gave the signal. On October 12 the Jacobsdal commando crossed the frontier, seized Modder River station, telephoned to Kimberley to try to find out the force in the town, and then made all preparations for the destruction of the iron bridge which spans the river at this point. The Boshof commando advanced on Riverton, a station on the railway to the north of the town, drove back a detachment of Cape Police, and looted and wrecked the town. On the 15th a brush between an armoured train with British troops on board and a small Boer force took place at Spytfontein, ten miles south of Kimberley. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded without any British casualties. On the same day Vryburg, half way between Kimberley and Mafeking, was evacuated by the Bechuanaland Police and seized by the enemy. On the 17th the Modder River bridge was destroyed with dynamite, a previous attempt to blow up the bridge-piers having failed. The Boers employed a number of "skilled Continental engineers," whose whereabouts and nationality will have to be inquired into after the war, to accomplish the work. Finally, Belmont station, a few miles north of the Orange River, was occupied by a detachment and fortified, while demonstrations were actually made against Orange River station. Thus Kimberley was thoroughly isolated and cut off from the outer world. The enemy now proceeded to "annex" Bechuanaland to the Transvaal, and Griqualand West to the Orange Free State, and to "commandeer" or expel all residents within these districts. Those who were "commandeered" had to serve against their own country. Most of the British residents took to flight, but a few who remained were seized and impressed for the Boer armies, in violation of all the dictates of international law and of the laws of war. [Illustration: THE CAPTORS OF VRYBURG. The Lichtenburg commando, reinforced largely by rebel farmers from Cape Colony.] [Sidenote: OCT. 24-30, 1899.] _Fighting at Kimberley._] To protect Kimberley from assault a hedge of thorn bushes was built round the town and earthworks were raised. The enemy, however, at first kept at a very respectful distance, and seemed contented simply to intercept communications. On October 24 a reconnoitring party under Major Turner went out to the north along the railway and came into collision with a small Boer force. Reinforcements were telegraphed for to Kimberley, and a couple of companies of North Lancashires with two armoured trains were sent up the line. The Boers were driven back; they lost Commandant Botha and several men, while the British had 24 killed and wounded. There was great excitement in Kimberley during the fight, crowds pouring out to watch the little British force at its work.