[Illustration: [_Photo by Bassano._ RIGHT HON. CECIL JOHN RHODES, P.C. Born in 1853; the fourth son of the late Rev. Francis W. Rhodes, Rector of Bishop Stortford. He went to South Africa about 1870 in a poor state of health; eventually settled in Kimberley, and after many years of very hard work effected the amalgamation of the various diamond mining interests into the De Beers Company; has been Premier of Cape Colony; conceived and organised the Chartered Company of British South Africa; a thorough and ardent Imperialist, a wonderful man of business, and the builder of Greater South Africa. His personal exertions during the recent siege of Kimberley endeared him to every one in the beleaguered town.] [Illustration: [_Photo by N. P. Edwards._ KIMBERLEY MARKET PLACE.] [Sidenote: Kimberley isolated.] [Sidenote: OCT.-NOV. 1899.] [Sidenote: Bombardment commences.] At the end of October the Boer force besieging the town was strengthened by detachments from Mafeking, and probably by recruits from amongst the disloyalists in the Griqualand West district. The investment became closer, and the enemy began to show more daring. On November 1, either by accident or by one of the enemy's shells, the dynamite stores of the De Beers Mining Company were exploded, causing a fearful shock and great alarm in the town. On the 7th, after two days' notice had been given, the bombardment of Kimberley began. About 70 shells, most of them of small size and very inferior quality, were fired by the enemy, but with no other result than to shatter a cooking pot. Amidst general mirth the fragments of this vessel were put up to auction, the best specimens fetching as much as a couple of pounds. [Illustration: _Frank Craig._] SEIZING A KOPJE.] [Sidenote: Stormberg district abandoned by the British.] On the southern frontier the Boers remained inactive all October. Small detachments of them were observed at Bethulie, at Norvals Pont, and at the Colesberg Bridge. A larger commando 1,500 strong, with three guns, was noticed drilling and practising on the north bank of the Orange River. At this date 2,500 Boers were watching the Basutos, who, it was feared, would take advantage of the war to wipe off old scores. But owing to the tact and skill of Sir G. Lagden, the British Resident in Basutoland, this tribe of Kaffir warriors was kept so thoroughly in hand that it soon became safe for the enemy to withdraw their commandoes and move them to Norvals Pont and Bethulie. The Boers were further emboldened by the victory of Joubert before Ladysmith on October 30. On November 1 they crossed the Orange River in all directions and in considerable force, their main body making Stormberg Junction, some fifty miles south of the Free State border, its objective. [Sidenote: OCT.-NOV. 1899.] _The Boers in Cape Colony._]