"It was not fighting, it was simply suicide. Men were hung on the wire like crows and were riddled with bullets," says another soldier. "Our hearts were broken after the reception we got at the start." One of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders writes:--"We were just thinking that the Boers had retired, and were about 100 yards from their trenches when we were greeted with a storm of bullets from thousands of men, and the whole brigade fled for their lives. The men's hearts were broken at the start, and they were like children all the day. Men were advancing and retiring by themselves trying to fight, but there were no officers to do the leading so we could expect to do nothing." [Illustration: THE EMERGENCY RATION Carried by every soldier in his haversack and produced at every inspection. It was the only food available for the men in exposed positions at Magersfontein.] "We got the word to retire," wrote a private of the Black Watch, "and while we were doing so the bullets were flying like hailstones all round us. It was a miracle how I escaped. I got my rifle blown out of my hand, and a bullet through my helmet, and another grazed my leg, taking away a bit of my spat. I never witnessed such a horrible sight in my life. General Wauchope was shot at the beginning when we charged. When he saw the mistake that happened, he said, 'Rally round, Black Watch; it is not my fault,' and fell riddled with bullets. We formed up again, and advanced to about 200 yards from the hill, and lay down and kept up firing." [Illustration: THE EMERGENCY RATION OPENED, SHOWING CONTENTS.] [Illustration: _Edward Read._] THE CHARGE OF TWO COMPANIES OF THE BLACK WATCH AT MAGERSFONTEIN.] [Sidenote: [DEC. 11, 1899.] But no letter shows better the powerlessness of the men than this from a Highland Light Infantry man:--"What could we do? It was dark; the men did not know where they were. Somebody shouted 'Retire!' and we did--well, not a retire, but a stampede; 4,000 men like a flock of sheep running for dear life. Had we opened out in attacking or skirmishing order, we could have rushed the trenches, but in the formation we were in we were helpless. After they rallied they had not the heart to fight after being led into a trap at the start; but we stood it wonderfully well, although only a half-hearted affair." [Illustration: THE WATERWHEEL WHICH SUPPLIED THE BOERS AT MAGERSFONTEIN.] [Illustration: CREUSOT 15-CM. (6-INCH) GUN. As used by the Boers from the hill top at Magersfontein, and outside Ladysmith and Mafeking.] [Sidenote: General Wauchope's death.] [Sidenote: DEC. 11, 1899.] _The Limit of Endurance Passed._]