[Sidenote: Position of Magersfontein.] During the pause, the enemy's position north of Modder River was reconnoitred. It was found that the Boers had retreated only some five or six miles from Modder River, to a line of heights fifteen miles long, which ran in a semi-circle, with Merton Siding as its centre. On the left this line of heights descended in a gentle, grassy slope, covered with thick brushwood and heavily entrenched, to the River Modder, and so could not be turned. Through the centre of the position passed the railway line to Kimberley, between two strongly entrenched kopjes. Away on the enemy's right were yet more kopjes, and to the rear of the main Boer position was a second series of entrenchments at Spytfontein. The key to the whole line of works was Magersfontein, a high hill or group of hills near the Boer centre and to the east of the railway. The strength of the Boers was only vaguely known. The guesses of the scouts and the reports of friendly Kaffirs placed it at anything from 10,000 to 25,000 men. Though considerable reinforcements had been received from Natal before the battle, it is probable that it did not much exceed the former figure. Even so, it was equal or superior in strength to Lord Methuen's division, and had all the advantage of a strong position, yet further reinforced by skilfully constructed earthworks. [Illustration: "JOE CHAMBERLAIN": THE 4·7-INCH NAVAL GUN SENT TO LORD METHUEN AT MODDER RIVER.] [Sidenote: [Dec. 6, 7, 1899.] [Sidenote: Boer defences.] Guided by the lessons of the previous battles the Boers had thrown up their main lines of trenches at the foot of the hills, not on the slopes or summits. Near Magersfontein they had utilised a long, dry watercourse, which gave the most admirable protection, and which was further strengthened by trenches and earthworks. In front these works, as at the Modder, were hidden from view by the cacti and brushwood, which thickly covered the level ground. The trenches were deep enough to give ample shelter to men standing upright; bomb-proofs had been excavated, in which the men lining the defences could obtain perfect security during the artillery bombardment--the only thing feared by the Boers; finally, a high wire fence, by some lucky chance for the Boers, already existed, running along the front of the works, about 300 or 400 yards away, so as to hold assailants under fire and hamper the action of the British cavalry. This was supplemented by several lines of barbed-wire entanglement. The Boer guns were skilfully posted on the heights, as previous experience had shown that, if placed in the trenches, they drew the British fire where it was most destructive. Amongst them were one or two long-range 6-inch Creusots, several field guns, and a number of "Pom-Poms." [Illustration: SECTION OF A 5-INCH HOWITZER,