The British Commander-in-Chief thenceforth satisfied himself with hemming in the enemy, under a steady pressure, the result of which could not be doubtful.

A few days more or less were not to be counted against the husbanding of his soldiers' lives, in conditions also of comparative rest, favourable to a recuperation sorely needed by men and horses.

The last arrived 7th Division entrenched itself on both sides of the river--a cheval, as the French phrase runs--to the eastward of and perpendicular to Cronje's lines, barring the way against attempts to break out towards Bloemfontein, and against the approach of aid from that quarter.

The troops were further occupied by the Boer reinforcements, from Natal, and elsewhere, which began to cluster round the scene, seeking to help the beleaguered army.

Several smart actions were fought, but all attempts at relief were vain.
The approach of Majuba Day--February 27--appears to have influenced both parties, hastening the issue.