Only the connection between the wire and the charge had not been made.

To make sure, the Boers had also laid several boxes of dynamite under the last span, in case the mine should fail in its effect.

The advance guard of the Police, only six in number, with Nolan-Neylan at their head, threw themselves into a building which commanded the approaches of the bridge, and this handful of men opened so spirited and well-aimed a fire that the Boers were unable to approach it.

As fresh scouts and policemen came up they were thrown into the firing line, and for a whole long day they kept the destroyers from the bridge.

Had the enemy known how weak they were and how far from supports, they could have easily destroyed them, but the game of bluff was admirably played, and a fire kept up which held the enemy to their rifle pits.
The Boers were in a trench commanding the bridge, and their brisk fire made it impossible to cross.