In anticipation of trouble, a Town Guard had already been formed when the Federal forces invaded the Cape.  The noisy and discordant hooters of the mines were to signal the approach of the foe, and to intimate to the members of the Guard that they were to proceed to the redoubts of their respective Sections to prepare a greeting.  Over at the Sanatorium, facing the suburb of Beaconsfield, the movements of the enemy were being closely watched.  A conning tower soared high above the De Beers mine, from which coign of vantage a keen eye swept the horizon for signs of their advance.  At the Reservoir, a look-out was on the qui vive.  The Infantry were encamped in a central position, ready for instant despatch to wherever their services might be needed most.  The Kimberley Regiment of Volunteers had turned out—­to a man—­for Active Service.  War was certain; its dogs, indeed, were already loosed.  The Boers, by way of preliminary, had been cutting telegraph wires, tearing up rails, blowing up culverts, and had taken possession of an armoured train at Kraaipan.  Our defences were being strengthened on all sides.  The enemy appeared to be massing in the vicinity of Scholtz’s Nek.  Such was the condition of things on the fourteenth of October (1899).  Next day (Sunday) the siege of Kimberley had begun.

THE SIEGE OF KIMBERLEY

ITS HUMOROUS AND SOCIAL SIDE

CHAPTER I

Week ending 21st October, 1899

The news relative to the tearing up of the railway line, and the cutting of the telegraph wires at Spytfontein, spread fast and freely on Sunday morning.  Rather by good luck than good management there happened to be an armoured train lying at the railway station, and into it, with a promptitude that augured well for his popularity, the Colonel ordered a number of his men.  The train had not proceeded far when it was discovered that the rails had been displaced at points nearer home than Spytfontein.  They were soon relaid, however, by the Royal Engineers, and the train in due course reached its destination.  A number of residents in the neighbourhood were taken on board for conveyance to the beleagured city.  These included the local stationmaster, whose services were not likely to be in demand for some weeks,—­three as we conceived it.  It shortly became evident that there were Boers in the vicinity who had been watching the progress of operations, and had deemed it prudent to sing dumb until the train made a move for Tiome.  They then opened fire and hurled several shells at it; but though a carriage was struck by the fragments, no serious damage resulted.  In appreciation of the compliment, the invisible soldiers sent back a disconcerting volley, which led, as excess of gratitude often does, to some confusion.  It proved, indeed, to be a kindness that killed one burgher and wounded half-a-dozen.  The armoured train steamed back to Kimberley in triumph.