With day, the artillery recommenced its fire. The men of the Guards during the night had entrenched their position and were in good spirits, ready even for an assault upon the Boer lines in broad daylight. Meantime, Lord Methuen scrutinised the Boer trenches and received the reports of his Intelligence Department. Everything showed that the enemy still held their position. General Colvile was for continuing the battle, to wear the Boers down, but the other officers were all for a retirement, and it was evident that what the whole force could not effect upon December 11, was out of the question for it on the 12th, with quite one third its strength for all practical purposes eliminated. During the night the supply train had fallen back to the old camp, and now a general retirement was ordered. The moment the Boers observed that the British force was retreating, they opened a hot fire from all their guns. But the range was long and the effects of the fire insignificant; it did not shake or demoralise the British infantry, who slowly and steadily, as if on parade, marched back the three miles to Modder River camp, defeated but not disgraced. [Illustration: _Alec Ball._] BOERS TENDING THE BRITISH WOUNDED AT MAGERSFONTEIN.] [Sidenote: DEC. 12, 1899.] _Losses of the Highland Brigade._] Very early in the morning, a flag of truce had come in from the Boers requesting Lord Methuen to remove the British wounded who were lying close to the trenches, in the most urgent need of medical help. The motive of this message was kindly and humane, and it should be said that the enemy had treated the Highlanders with tenderness, giving them food and water and roughly bandaging their wounds. The ambulances at once pushed in, drivers and stretcher-bearers being blindfolded by the Boers, who streamed out of their trenches to watch the operations. "They were," says Mr. Ralph, "courteous, helpful, and respectful. By not one word did they give offence." Yet two regrettable incidents occurred. The first was that one of the ambulance men was found to have a revolver, and was seized and made prisoner by the Boers, despite his explanations and expostulations. The other was that the naval 4·7 opened fire suddenly upon the trenches. The officer in charge was unaware of the flag of truce, and saw, as he supposed, the Boers issuing for an attack upon our men. Fortunately, his shots had no effect and soon ceased, but the Boers were so incensed at what they considered treachery, that they opened a hot fire upon the Horse Artillery near them. The Horse Artillery made no reply, and, seeing this, the Boers also ceased fire. [Sidenote: British losses.]