The two batteries of artillery had been caught by the enemy's fire on the march. The ground was so unfavourable that they could not promptly come into action. They had to wheel and gallop back some hundreds of yards. At this moment a gun stuck fast in boggy ground; the team of horses dragging it was instantly shot down by the enemy, and it had to be abandoned. The other eleven weapons selected a position and promptly opened on the crest of the kopjes held by the Boers. On them they directed a most effective shell fire, but, unhappily, some of their projectiles fell short and dropped among the British infantry, as they were painfully trying to scale the precipice just below the Boer position, adding to the confusion. Such accidents are almost inevitable in war. The Boer shells in reply came fast and thick. The enemy's 40-pounder was infinitely more powerful and of far longer range than the British field pieces. The manner in which our gunners stuck to their dangerous work under its projectiles was one of the consoling features of this sorrowful day. [Sidenote: Order to retreat given.] The attack had failed so hopelessly that, under the cover of this artillery fire, General Gatacre rallied his men and gave the order to retreat. But it was difficult to draw the infantry, once heavily engaged, out of the fight. Some were too weary to move; others lay fast asleep under the Boer works; others, again, with the stubborn fighting instinct of the British soldier, preferred to hold their ground, in the vain hope of snatching eventual victory. Those, however, who responded to the order proved that their spirit had not been broken by calamity. They showed a bold front, formed up on a low line of hills covered by the artillery, and in perfect order began the retrograde movement. The two batteries of artillery fired alternately, the one falling back while the other was in action, and held off the Boers. But the retreat was long and difficult, as the British troops had to describe a complete semi-circle, everywhere commanded by the Boer guns, around a central point held by the enemy. [Illustration: _H. C. Seppings Wright._] [_From a Sketch by Lieut. T. N. F. Davenport._ THE RETREAT FROM STORMBERG. The drawing represents the withdrawal of guns and ambulance waggons towards Molteno. The steep crags on the right were occupied by the Boers. Our men being well scattered, the enemy's shells did little damage.] [Illustration: [_Photo by Window & Grove._ LIEUT.-GENERAL LORD METHUEN, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G., J P