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diff --git a/42956-8.txt b/42956-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f0a9057..0000000 --- a/42956-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11120 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of the Zulu Campaign, by -Waller Ashe and E. V. Wyatt-Edgell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Story of the Zulu Campaign - -Author: Waller Ashe - E. V. Wyatt-Edgell - -Release Date: June 15, 2013 [EBook #42956] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF THE ZULU CAMPAIGN *** - - - - -Produced by Steven Gibbs, Stephen Blundell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - - Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without - note. Variant spellings, mostly proper nouns, have been retained: - _Inyezane_, _Inyesani_, _Inyezani_, _Ingesani_, etc. The oe ligature - is represented by [oe]. - - - - - THE STORY - OF - THE ZULU CAMPAIGN. - - - BY - - MAJOR ASHE (LATE KING'S DRAGOON GUARDS), - AUTHOR OF "THE MILITARY INSTITUTIONS OF FRANCE," ETC. - - AND - - CAPTAIN THE HON. E. V. WYATT-EDGELL - (17TH LANCERS, KILLED AT ULUNDI). - - - _DEDICATED BY SPECIAL PERMISSION TO HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY_ - THE EMPRESS EUGÉNIE. - - - WITH MAP. - - - London: - SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON, - CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET. - 1880. - - [_All rights reserved._] - - - - - LONDON: - Gilbert and Rivington, Printers, - St. John's Square. - - - - -TO HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY - -THE EMPRESS EUGÉNIE - -_THIS RECORD OF THE ZULU WAR IS, BY GRACIOUS PERMISSION, HUMBLY -DEDICATED, AS A POOR TRIBUTE AND OFFERING_. - - -In Memoriam. - -Worthy of the Race of Guzman, and of the soldier of Lodi and Arcola, -while recalling memories of him who gave to the gods of the Tiber the -gift most precious to Rome--Human Valour--PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON'S name -will live in the hearts of all his English comrades, as a type of pure -chivalry, of knightly generosity, and as a rainbow of Hope over two -great western powers, for centuries at war, but now allied in -friendship. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Some apology or explanation may be deemed requisite, for delaying the -publication of this "Story of the Zulu War" for more than a year after -its conclusion. The little book itself was written very shortly after -the capture of the king, Cetywayo, and the tardiness of its appearance -has been, to a certain extent, intentional on my part. - -Although it may seem ungracious and, perhaps, ungrateful to cavil at the -war criticisms and descriptions which, by every post and telegram, adorn -the pages of contemporaneous journalism, I would submit that the -practice of writing _ex cathedrâ_ on war topics the day after an -engagement, is too early to allow us to examine motives as well as -facts, so that we may form conclusions to which we can only justly -arrive, when "Time, the corrector, where our judgments err," has -softened prejudice and exposed partisan feeling. The worst and most -valueless criticisms on Waterloo were given to the world immediately -after the fight of Mont St. Jean. The most unreliable, and indeed -erroneous, opinions in regard to the splendid errors of Inkerman and -Balaklava, appeared before the Crimean war was ended, and many a hero, -elevated by the verdict of contemporaneous eulogy to a temporary -pedestal in the Temple of Fame, has since been dethroned by the calmer -and more honest judgment of a later generation. When the Emperor -Napoleon called us a "nation of shopkeepers," he, perhaps, -intentionally, paid us a compliment; for peace, commerce, and -prosperity, have, as a rule, I venture to hold, been more regarded in -our islands than projects of violence, warfare, or conquest; and this -with us has ever been an honourable characteristic of the Spirit of our -present Age. - -But as Sir Bartle Frere, one of England's greatest, wisest, and most -humane administrators, was well aware, the great and time-honoured law -of self-defence sometimes compels a State, like an individual, to resort -to arms, and the Appeal of Battle, when all peaceful modes of -arrangement have been vainly tried, becomes occasionally unavoidable. -Then, and perhaps only then, we may be allowed, even by the Peace -Society and the Acolytes who trim the lamps for Mr. John Bright, to take -an interest in and feel proud of the disciplined courage, the love of -honour, and the sense of duty of which we read in the campaigns, where -those who are near and dear to us have fought and fallen under the -British flag. Then the commanders we may have known as subalterns, but -whose names are now in all circles as veritable "Household Words;" whose -careers we have watched with proud, yet kindly sympathy, and whose -triumphs we have seemed as countrymen to share; whose powers of -intellect and prescience array, regulate, and wield at will the grim and -stern materials at command; whose daring, and yet coolness in the midst -of death, acts like a talisman upon the rank and file--whose -providence, when one path fails, is ever ready for fresh resources and -designs--are not these the men of whom we may say with Tacitus,-- - - _"Ratio et consilium propriæ Ducis artes"?_ - -and of this class, I venture to think, were Lord Chelmsford and his -lieutenants. And when we are ourselves in the "sere and yellow leaf," or -have joined, mayhap, that "larger majority" which Gladstonian tactics -and energy cannot hope to rival, our children and children's children, -when they read of such names as Bartle Frere, Chelmsford, Wood, Pearson, -Buller, and Piet Uys, may look back to English History and see that our -"island mastiffs" have not become degenerate, either in courage or -generosity, since the days of Harold, the Black Prince, or that knightly -Sydney who fell at Zutphen! - -Some experience of the Kaffir tribes and their characteristics, of the -physical and geographical difficulties which attend upon a campaign in -South Africa,--dating, indeed, as far back as a score of years ago, and -the interest which I have since taken in colonies where, as an Adjutant, -I passed some very happy years among Boers, Bôk, and Kaffirs, had at the -commencement of the late war prompted me to follow its various phases, -with a view to write the story of the campaign. In this purpose I was -encouraged by the offers of many old comrades who were about to start -with their regiments for the seat of war, and who promised me by each -available opportunity the assistances of their several journals, notes, -and sketches. - - "But one I would select from that proud throng, - · · · · · - And partly that bright names will hallow song, - And his was of the bravest." - -And to those who have known that most accomplished gentleman and gallant -soldier, young, brave, cheery, and _débonnaire_, Edmund Wyatt-Edgell, I -need not say how delighted I was at his undertaking to correspond with -me, and, as far as time and opportunity permitted, to keep me _au -courant_ with the march of events. From the time of his arrival at Natal -to the fatal day on which he fell, he fulfilled that promise, and if any -merit be due to the narrative I now present to public notice, it will, I -believe, come through those descriptions which I received from my dead -comrade and friend--_Sit tibi terra levis!_ - -Another motive, or perhaps more than one, "pricked the sides of my -intent," and invited me to wield the pen upon a soil where erst I had -drawn a "regulation" sword. In the "unvexed silence of a student's -cell," i.e., London chambers, I could only watch the progress of the -campaign, without hoping to share in its toils or its dangers. I might -envy, but I could not participate-- - - "For who can view the ripen'd rose, nor seek - To wear it?" - -In default of this, I could, however, follow in spirit the adventures, -by flood and field, of more than a score of old comrades and companions -in arms, who were winning honour and renown in a land not unfamiliar to -me. In the hasty and, with all deference I say it, somewhat ignorant -criticism of those amateur mentors who tell us how battles ought or -ought not to be won, and who, from the calm solitudes of Fleet Street, -would make or mar a military reputation, I venture to believe, was much -injustice done to the Commander-in-chief of our forces in South Africa. - - "A man must serve his time to every trade - Save censure. Critics all are ready made." - -And I was the more convinced of this partisan and hostile feeling from -the knowledge that, west of Temple Bar, and especially in the regions -where veterans do most congregate, in the clubs and haunts alike of -_vieilles moustaches_ and military neophytes, from the "Senior" to the -"Naval and Military," criticism was far less pronounced, and experience, -as it invariably is, was more moderate in stricture and charitable in -argument than elsewhere. - -Lastly, the tragic fate of England's young chivalrous and knightly -guest, which formed such a terrible episode of the war and draped our -colours with mourning, even in the hour of victory, made a deep -impression upon my mind, and caused me insensibly to marvel at the -unworthy sentiments to which a large portion of the English public and -the English press at that time gave utterance. Political feeling seemed -then, as it now seems in poor Ireland, to override all sense of manly -honour, generosity, hospitality, or common decency. The slaughter, for -it was nothing less, of the princely and noble lad, who came to the -shores of his country's hereditary foe, as a messenger of hope, alliance -and future friendship, who had been taught by his father to love and -study our English laws and customs, and who, in his abandonment in that -fatal donga, must have felt shame for the comrades to whom his safety -was entrusted; the sacrifice, I say, of this pure and devoted spirit, -seemed to me to call for some record, less evanescent than a passing -note or a newspaper article. If I have spoken strongly of the living in -my sorrow for the dead, as a soldier I can but plead in vindication, -that, in all my remembrance of the records of our English army I can -recall no instance, save the one I have quoted, where an officer wearing -our royal uniform and holding a royal commission, galloped away in front -of his escort, and allowed a comrade to be done to death in unknightly -fashion! - -In conclusion I may say that this little work, although written _con -amore_ and from details furnished to me by my friend, Captain the Hon. -E. V. Wyatt-Edgell, and others, lays no claim to historical value, but -assumes to be merely the _impressions de voyage_ of those who were -actors in the scenes described. - - WALLER ASHE. - - Hare Court, Temple, - _Nov. 1880._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - PAGE - - Origin of Zulus--Their tribes--Senzagacone--Chaka--His - wars--Innovations--Administration--Standing - army--Death--Position of Zulus amongst kindred tribes--First - contact with whites--The Boers--The English--Panda--His reign - and death--Accession of Cetywayo--His promises to the - English--Breaches of faith--The boundary question--Its origin - and nature--The case of Sirayo--Its history--The Middle Drift - affair--Other causes of war--The Ultimatum sent--Official - declaration of war--State of the British forces--Cetywayo's - army and its organization--Their tactics. 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - - Plan of campaign--Native levies--Special service officers--The - advance--Pearson's column--Glyn's column--Wood's - column--Utrecht--First brush with the enemy--Difficulties of - transport--Action on Inyezani--Pearson at Ekowe--Glyn's - advance--Durnford's failure--Isandhlwana--Description of - camp--The battle--Details--Reconnaissance and return of Lord - Chelmsford--Rorke's Drift--Causes of Isandhlwana--Remarks. 24 - - - CHAPTER III. - - Ekowe described--The fort--Guard for the frontier--Raid on - Dabulamanzi's Kraal--Another raid--Life in Ekowe--Wood at - Potter's Kraal--Capture of Baglusini--Skirmish and capture - of cattle--Destruction of Manyanyoba Kraal--Colonel - Rowlands--Capture of Makatees Kop--Junction with Wood--Camp - at Kambula--Coming in of Oham--Disaster at Intombi - Drift--Death of Moriarty--Rescue of Oham's wives and - people--Events that led to the attack on Umbelini--The - Zlobani--The attack--Details--Death of Campbell--Narrow - escape of Wood--Death of Weatherly--St. Helena and H.M.S. - "Shah." 67 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Effects of Zlobani--Description of Kambula Camp--Desperate Zulu - attack thereon--Description of the battle--Deaths of - Lieutenants Bright and Nicholson--Gallant rescue by Captain - Woodgate--Force and commanders of the Zulu attack--Their - losses--The English losses--Fortifications at Kambula - Kop--Block House--Arrival of despatches--Exciting scene. 132 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Organization of column for relief of Ekowe--The - march--Heliographic signals--Camp at Ginghilovo--Disposition - of the troops--Zulu advance--The battle--English - victory--Death of Colonel Northey--English losses--Zulu force - and loss--Relief of Ekowe--Meeting of Pearson and - Chelmsford--State of Ekowe garrison--Barrow's cavalry raid on - Dabulamanzi's kraal--British sentry firing on British troops. 156 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - End of first period of the Zulu war--Organization of fresh - advance--Reinforcements from England--Scene in - Durban--Disembarkation of troops--Cavalry camp at Berea--Lord - Chelmsford's arrival at Durban--His reception--Review of - Lancers and King's Dragoon Guards at Cato Manor--Plan of new - campaign--Composition of No. 1 column--Composition of No. 2 - column--Cask bridge over Amatikula--Forts Crealock and - Chelmsford--Wood's reconnaissance to Blood River--Description - of Blood River and its scenery--Appearance of Buller's Light - Horse--Removal of Wood's Kambula camp--Grandier's capture and - escape--His tale--Description of Dabulamanzi and - Cetywayo--Death of Dabulamanzi. 184 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Lord Chelmsford with Wood at Kambula--Patrol by Buller--Capture - of cattle--Scene from Kambula Kop--Zulu attack on - patrol--Removal of Wood's camp to Mayegwhana--Wood's - force--Scarcity of drivers and voorlopers--Newdigate at - Conference Hill--Fort and depôt at Conference Hill--Work of - No. 1 column--Exciting incident with a convoy--Distribution - of troops--Forts on the Tugela, Inyezani, and at - Ginghilovo--System of guards and precautions against - surprises--All ready for the advance--Recapitulation of - military situation--Newdigate's forts at Landsman's - Drift--Arrangements for garrisons in rear of advance--The - Lower Tugela command--Patrol by Wood and Buller in direction - of Isandhlwana--Second patrol by Buller--Zulu attack--The - Prince Imperial on patrol--Reconnaissance in force to - Isandhlwana and burial of the dead. 221 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Advance of the 2nd column--Landsman's Drift to Kopje - Allein--Description of camp--Plan of campaign--Discovery of - Port Durnford--It becomes the base of 1st division--Troops - composing 1st column--Crealock's journey to Durnford. 256 - - - CHAPTER IX. - - Death of the Prince Imperial--Lieutenant Carey's - account--Discrepancies in and comments thereon--Feeling in - the camp--Expedition under General Marshall to search for the - body--Description of the spot--Recovery of the - body--Court-martial on Carey. 268 - - - CHAPTER X. - - March of the 2nd column--Kopje Allein--Climate of the - locality--Sickness among the troops--Evil effects of - Cardwell's system--Embassy from Zulu chiefs--Cavalry - skirmish--Death of Adjutant Frith--Difficulties of - transport--Reinforcement of Wood--Appointment of Sir Garnet - Wolseley--Opinion of the troops thereon--Alleged - inhumanities--The helioscope. 295 - - - CHAPTER XI. - - Advance of 1st column--Description of route--Forts Crealock and - Chelmsford--Causes of delay--Sickness of troops and its - origin--Capture of cattle--Proposals for peace by - Umsintwanga--His interview with Crealock--Surrender of - Umguelumgwizi--Advance of 2nd division--Details of troops - composing it--A fortified kraal--Fort built by Wood on the - Umlatoosi--Patrol by Buller--Burning of five kraals in the - Usipexi district--Amhlabatini--Depôt there described--Envoys - from Cetywayo--Advance to White Umvolosi--Wood's camp--Lord - Chelmsford's ultimatum to Cetywayo. 311 - - - CHAPTER XII. - - Raid across the Umvolosi by Buller--Gallant rescue of a - sergeant by Lord William Beresford--Buller's losses--Umvolosi - crossed by the main body--Formation of troops into - square--Total numbers--Firing of kraals--Advance of Zulus - from Ulundi--The Zulu attack--Repulse of Zulus--Pursuit by - Cavalry--Death of Wyatt-Edgell--Losses of both - sides--Withdrawal of English army--Effects of the battle of - Ulundi--Surrender of 700 Zulus to Crealock--Cause of retreat - after Ulundi--Resignation of Lord Chelmsford--His farewell - parade--Epitome of work done by 1st column, and why it was - not present at Ulundi--Ondini burnt by Barrow. 337 - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley--Reception at Durban--Changes - made by Wolseley--His plans for the future--Attempt to land - at Port Durnford and its failure--Sir Garnet at St. - Paul's--Grand council of Zulu chiefs--Resignation of General - Crealock--His farewell to his troops at Camp Umlalasi--Fêtes - in honour of Lord Chelmsford--Wolseley at - Pietermaritzburg--Disturbances in Pondoland and - Transvaal--Wolseley at Rorke's Drift--McLeod and the - Swazis--Their appearance and habits--Wolseley at - Intanjaneni--Surrender of guns by Mbelebele--Adhesion of - various chiefs. 359 - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Plans for the capture of Cetywayo--The Jantjis--Vijn's - appearance at Victoria--His narrative--Its - consequences--Despatch of Major Barrow and Lord Gifford in - pursuit of the king--Their march--Description of country - traversed--Gifford and Maurice sent on by Barrow--Marches and - countermarches--Physical characteristics of country; its - flora and fauna--Visit to kraal of friendly Zulus--Capture of - two of the king's attendants--Women of the king's household - captured--Captain and twenty Basutos join Lord - Gifford--Gifford's stratagem to obtain information of the - king's hiding-place--Cetywayo's refuge discovered--Forced - night-march--Message to Major Marter--His arrival on the - scene--Capture of the king. 379 - - * * * * * - - NOTES 406 - - - - -THE STORY OF THE ZULU CAMPAIGN - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Origin of Zulus--Their tribes--Senzagacone--Chaka--His - wars--Innovations--Administration--Standing army--Death--Position of - Zulus amongst kindred tribes--First contact with whites--The - Boers--The English--Panda--His reign and death--Accession of - Cetywayo--His promises to the English--Breaches of faith--The - boundary question--Its origin and nature--The case of Sirayo--Its - history--The Middle Drift affair--Other causes of war--The Ultimatum - sent--Official declaration of war--State of the British - forces--Cetywayo's army and its organization--Their tactics. - - -The Emashlabatini country was originally occupied by a small tribe -called the Abanguni; of its more ancient kings little is known beyond -that they seem to have been of peaceful habits, making no wars, but -breeding cattle; also that the name of one was Zulu. In their own -country the appellation of Abanguni in course of time died out, though -still used by their neighbours, and for it was substituted Abakwa-Zulu -(sons of Zulu), Zulu and Undabezita. The tribe was composed of several -families or clans, each having its own chieftain. In the time of -Cetywayo's reign the names of these clans and their respective chiefs -were as follows:--The Uhutilezi, a family having two branches; Umnyama, -Cetywayo's prime minister, was chief of one, and Umtyubane of the other; -the Ubixela and Umgazi, who were divisions of one family, the former -owning Umvumhlana as chief, the latter Sigodi--subsequently slain at -Isandhlwana--whose predecessor was Panda's prime minister Masipula, and -his successor Mapoko; the Umtombelo and Umblalosi, also two branches of -one family, whose respective chiefs were Mabanda and Segetwayo; the -Uquabe, whose chief was named Rouhlo; the Uzimgu, whose chieftain -rejoiced in the appellation of Unfanawenklela; the Fakazi, whose chief -was Umkasana; the Umtanzi, with a chieftain Umbono by name; and the -Igazi, whose head was Umkanyile; the Amagungebe, their chief was the -notorious Sirayo; the Ukanyile, whose chief was Upagatwayo; the Ulanga, -their chief Umhlaka; the Umpingose, whose chief was Ganse; and the -Umhloben, a scattered family having no head. - -The word Zulu, or Undabezita, was invariably employed in addressing any -member of these families, whatever his rank or station might happen to -be. - -The first king of whom any particulars are known was Senzagacone, son of -Ufaina. When this king began to reign he had no legitimate offspring: he -had, however, a natural son by Unamdi, daughter of Umkeki, chief of the -Langmene tribe, named Chaka (the bastard). He afterwards married this -Unamdi, by whom he had a daughter Nuncoba, but no sons. She being his -favourite wife, the king, according to the custom of the country, "gave -her for a son," his natural son Chaka, thus legitimating him. When Chaka -was fifteen, his father, thinking he might become troublesome, sent to -kill him; but Chaka, being warned, fled to Dingiswayo, chief of the -Umtwetwa, where he remained until the king's death, though on the -occasion of his legitimation an invitation was given him to return to -the paternal kraal. - -Meanwhile Chaka had become an Induna of great influence and popularity -in the land of his refuge; so when on the death of Senzagacone the Zulu -tribe sent to him requesting him to be their king, and he consented, all -the tribes through which he passed on his way to the Zulus accompanied -him; and the whole of the Zulu clans assembled to meet him, and he was -made king with great rejoicings. In the interim between Senzagacone's -death and Chaka's accession, Umkaibye (paternal aunt of Chaka) ruled the -Zulus and arranged for Chaka's return. It was now that the jealousy long -smouldering between the Umdwandwe and the Umtwetwa, the two most -powerful tribes in that part of Africa, broke into an open quarrel. -Uzwidi, chief of the former, attacked and utterly routed the latter, -killing their chief, Dingiswayo, Chaka's friend and protector. The -worsted tribe naturally applied to Chaka for help. Thereupon Uzwidi -immediately marched to attack the Zulus, and a great battle ensued on -the south of the White Umvolosi. The result was that the left wing of -either army was victorious; but both lost so heavily that they retired -to their respective countries. - -On his retreat, Chaka was attacked by the Langmeni, but failing in their -assault, this tribe then deserted their own country and joined the -Umdwandwe. Having defeated another coast tribe which assailed him, Chaka -occupied both these countries, leaving the Emashlabatini district waste -and uninhabited. - -Uzwidi had now gathered a fresh army, which Chaka, by a night march, -surprised and defeated between Kwagmagwasa and the Umhlatuzi river. He -then retreated, but was rapidly followed up by Uzwidi, who had soon -regathered his forces, and who succeeded in capturing much Zulu cattle -and slaying a number of men, women, and children, surprised in their -kraals by the swiftness of his advance. He then again retreated. Uzwidi -now made a great and final effort to crush his adversary. All the tribes -around were pressed into his service, and the result was that he soon -had an army--collected from ten tribes--far superior in point of numbers -to the Zulu force, which represented only two tribes. Chaka therefore -retreated before Uzwidi's advance, and eventually occupied a strong -position on the Inkankla range. Here he awaited his opponent's onset. In -place of the old missile weapon, Chaka had armed his men with a shorter -and stronger assegai, intended for use at close quarters; he therefore -gave them strict orders not to throw their assegais but to charge the -foe and fight them hand to hand. He also skilfully placed his force -amidst broken ground, so that it was impossible for the enemy to attack -in a compact and organized body. The battle, as usual, began in the -early morn and continued till after midday. The Zulus, carrying out -their leader's instructions, waited till the assault was delivered, and -then charged so vigorously on the foe that they swept everything before -them. Chaka following up this defeat utterly dissipated the Umdwandwe -army. Uzwidi fled beyond his own country, which Chaka annexed, and thus -became the chief potentate in that part of Africa, levying tribute from -all the tribes around him. Chaka now waged several wars. First he -attacked and despoiled the Mangwani, a tribe on the Drakenberg; then he -fell upon and extirpated the clan of Zulukanafu, a chief residing to the -north of that range. Soon after he sent an army against the Pondos, -which captured a considerable amount of cattle and then retreated. -Again, in the following year, there was a similar expedition, and the -Pondos sued for peace, which was granted. By this time Chaka claimed to -rule over the entire country, from the sea to the Pondola, to the -Drakenberg, and to the land of the Pondos. His next object was to -consolidate his power. Accordingly, the petty kings under his rule were -no longer recognized as such, but became tributary chieftains; if any -one of these was remiss in payment of his tribute, an "impi" was sent -"to eat him" up. From time to time Chaka would also call up these chiefs -to his royal kraal, where he would receive them with marks of -distinction, and ask their advice on state matters. Another important -step to weaken the power of the chiefs, and at the same time to augment -his own, was the establishment of a standing army. Military service was -made compulsory on all males, each being told off to a certain regiment -according to his age. Thus a man ceased to serve under the chief of his -own clan, but belonged to a king's regiment, which was composed of men -of all tribes. Similar divisions were also made amongst the females, -who had to marry into regiments at the king's commands, though on a -marriage cattle was still handed over to the bride's father or brother. -Furthermore, regiments were not allowed wives till they were entitled to -wear "head-rings," and this did not occur till men had reached forty -years of age. Chaka's next war was against the Swazis, whom he defeated -and made to pay tribute. - -In the following year an immense expedition was despatched against the -Sotshangana, a people dwelling across the Somba Mountains, beyond -Delagoa Bay. - -So large was this army that Zululand was almost denuded of warriors, an -event which was taken advantage of by Dingaan and five more of the -king's brothers, to treacherously fall upon Chaka, whom they slew, -together with his chief councillor, Umxamana. - -The benefits conferred on his people by Chaka can hardly be -over-estimated; he had raised them from a small tribe to a nation, and -that nation a dominant one. As the Quirites were amongst the component -tribes of the earlier Roman kingdom, so were the Zulus or Undabezita -amongst the various tribes subject to the central Zulu authority, and -curiously enough this resemblance extends still further; the Quirites -were subdivided into gentes, or families, each with a distinctive name, -and in a precisely similar manner, as has been before stated, the -Undabezita were divided into sub-tribes or clans, each with its own -gentile or family name. Nor were his people ungrateful to the memory of -their first great king, for after the time of Chaka, the bastard, that -name was never employed in its original signification, but to the -present day a substitute, "Umlandhwana," is always used by a Zulu to -express that idea. - -That Chaka was not averse to civilization and white men was evinced by -his treatment of Fynn and five others who were rescued from a shipwreck -in St. Lucia Bay. He even went so far as to accompany Fynn the whole way -to Durban, to see him embark on a ship sent round from Cape Town for -him, and to send at considerable expenditure in the shape of cattle two -envoys to England, which he contemplated visiting himself, if their -report should prove favourable. But this latter project failed in -consequence of the king's murder, and the messengers got no further than -Cape Town. - -A year or two after his departure Fynn returned, and with Chaka's -sanction established a trading-station at Durban (1824). Once Fynn and -some white men, being called upon for aid, assisted Chaka to punish a -refractory tribe. When Chaka's army for the second time invaded the -Pondos, it was through Fynn's representations that they would come into -collision with the white men that the army proceeded no further. - -On the army returning from the Sotshangana expedition, Panda, a brother -of Chaka, was requested to assume the chief authority, but he declined, -so Dingaan became king. Dingaan commenced his reign by killing all his -brothers, except Panda, and all the late king's most trusted ministers. -This caused great uneasiness amongst the chiefs, one of whom named -Umquetu wishing therefore to withdraw from Dingaan's rule, departed with -all his clan and cattle to the south. Coming into collision with the -Pondos they were extirpated; hereupon Dingaan despatched an army to -recover the cattle, which he regarded as his, from the Pondos. About the -same time another chief, Umzilikazi, also revolted, and withdrew himself -to the spot where Pretoria now stands. An expedition was in a similar -manner despatched against him, and after capturing nearly all his -cattle, returned therewith to the king. - -Meanwhile the Boers had appeared on the scene at Natal, and they now -claimed from Dingaan a considerable quantity of the cattle captured from -Umzilikazi, alleging it had been originally stolen from them. To this -Dingaan replied by bidding them recover some cattle that a petty chief -had taken from him. Having done this and imprisoned the captured chief -at Maritzburg, the Boers again applied for their own cattle, and a party -under the command of one Peter Retief was sent to Dingaan. There now -ensued a game of "diamond cut diamond," the Boers trying to outwit the -king and capture him in his kraal, and Dingaan acting in much the same -way to the Boers. The exact course of events is unknown, but for certain -in the result Retief and his party were surprised and slain (Feb. 5th, -1838). Dingaan then invaded Natal, slaughtered many of the Boers, and -captured much cattle. His forces penetrated as far as Ladismith, whence, -after a heavy repulse in an attack on the Dutch laager, they retired -home. Encounters from time to time continued to occur between the Zulus -and the Boers with varying success to either side, till at length a -peace was patched up. Panda showed himself so active in this war as to -excite Dingaan's jealousy, in consequence of which he, with all his -people went over and joined the Boers. Soon after this (Jan. 1840) the -Boers, in conjunction with Panda, invaded Zululand. The great fight -occurred at Magongo, on the Umkusi river. Dingaan was utterly defeated, -and retiring with a few attendants beyond the Bomba range, was killed by -the Swazis. Panda now became king, and peace was made between the Zulus -and Boers, the former ceding to the latter the Natal territory as far as -the Tugela. - -It was about this time that there occurred a struggle at Natal between -the English and Dutch, in which the latter, being worsted, retired to -the Utrecht district, where they received permission from Panda to -dwell; Utrecht, it is said, being assigned as their outside limit. - -Panda waged no more external wars, but lived peaceably in his kraal, -breeding cattle. Most conspicuous amongst the sons of Panda were -Cetywayo and Umbulazi; these two, having quarrelled, waged a sort of -civil war one against the other, and in the result Umbulazi was defeated -and killed. Amongst the army of Umbulazi were John Dunn and about thirty -other white men armed with rifles. Cetywayo then quarrelled with another -brother, and the same state of disorder continued till Panda's death, -which occurred in October, 1872. - -Cetywayo being thereupon accepted as king by the Zulu nation, applied to -the English Government to recognize him. Accordingly, Sir -Theophilus--then Mr.--Shepstone was sent as envoy, and publicly crowned -Cetywayo at the Umlambongmenya kraal, on which occasion he spoke thus to -the assembled Zulus: "Here is your king. You have recognized him as -such, and I now do also, in the name of the Queen of England. Your kings -have often met violent deaths at the hands of their people, but if you -kill this one, we shall surely require his blood of you." He then went -on to say, "that as the English had recognized him as king, they would -expect him to give all men a fair trial before condemnation. Even a -witch should be let off, and merely sent away to another district." To -this the Zulus returned that they would kill any man who went with the -king's women, any man who ran away with another's wife, any thief of -cattle, royal or otherwise; that a witch should not be put to death on a -first accusation, but should any persist in witchcraft, he should be -killed. And to this Shepstone signified his assent. The chiefs then rose -in a body and said, "We will so govern the country under our King -Cetywayo, and we look to England to support him as the king of the Zulu -nation." Shepstone replied that he hoped the Zulus would live peaceably -under the new king, whom England would expect to adhere to the terms to -which he had just assented. - -But these promises were broken on more than one occasion. Cetywayo -having called up his army, and finding them tardy in response, and many -absentees on the plea of illness, forthwith sent a regiment to slay all -those thus absent, saying, "Sick men are no good; I will save the -doctors the trouble of attending them." Again, one of the divisions of -females being ordered to marry a certain regiment, objected that they -were too few. Another regiment was named, and further objections raised. -Then an impi was sent to punish these women, and a great number were -killed. Great abuses in the practice of "smelling out" by witch-doctors -also prevailed, though in this respect Cetywayo appears slightly better -than his predecessors. - -It is now time to turn attention to what is called the Boundary -Question. - -It has been previously stated that in Panda's time the Boers had settled -in the Utrecht district. From time to time cattle undoubtedly was passed -between the Boers and the Zulu king. The former assert that it was the -price for the absolute ownership of the land they occupied, whilst on -behalf of Cetywayo it is urged that it was merely a tribute from the -Boers, whose outside limit had been fixed at Utrecht. Be this as it may, -there kept occurring at frequent intervals outrages, robberies, and -reprisals on either side, Sirayo, whose kraal was nearest the border, -being the most prominent actor in these scenes. - -Umbelini also now appeared, to further complicate matters. Originally a -Swazi, he had fled from his native land, and settled in Zululand, -together with his uncle Umbeliani and his people. This uncle joined the -Boers, taking his cattle with him. Land was assigned to Umbeliani by the -Boers close to where Umbelini was dwelling. No sooner, therefore, had -the former built himself a kraal than the latter attacked and destroyed -it. Thus ensued a contest between the Boers and Umbelini. The Boers -drove Umbelini from his stronghold, but failed to capture him. He, -retreating, erected a new kraal on the Dumbe range, north of the -Zlobani, whence he continued to make raids into Swaziland and the -Transvaal, which had now become British soil. - -At Cetywayo's coronation this vexed question of the boundary had been -referred to Mr. Shepstone, and he, in accordance with a promise then -given, subsequently met the Zulu envoys at Conference Hill to hear their -claims in this matter. They then claimed the Buffalo river as their -original and proper boundary. In reply, Mr. Shepstone said that he -considered this was asking too much; but that a fair line would be the -Blood river and the old hunting road running close by the Kambula Kop to -the Pongola or Zulu side of Luneberg. He would, however, examine the -question more closely before coming to a final decision, which, when -arrived at, would be communicated to them. - -During all this time the Zulu army had been growing more and more -restless, and the younger men especially were clamorous for an -opportunity of "washing" their spears. For this sole purpose they -contemplated a raid on the Swazis, then in alliance with England. But on -Cetywayo's applying to the British Government for its sanction to this -project, it naturally declined to allow its allies to be thus wantonly -attacked. - -There also existed amongst the Zulu an intense antipathy to the Boers; -and Cetywayo, after his capture, himself admitted that had the Transvaal -not been annexed, it was a mere question of time how soon a war broke -out between his people and the Dutch settlers; nor can this afford much -ground for wonder, when the characteristics of a Boer are had well in -mind. The typical Boer is doubtless a pattern of hospitality, simplicity -of heart, fondness for his home and family, and of those general -domestic attributes which are so dear to an Englishman. But in his -relations and contact with the native races and real owners of the soil, -the Dutch Boer seems to lose all sense of reason and justice, and to -remember only those early and blood-stained annals of pioneering, when -the white man and the black neither gave nor asked for quarter in their -struggle for supremacy in the land. Indeed his intolerance of a native -is so intense that he cannot be induced to look upon him as a human -being, but he regards the unfortunate aboriginal as a wild beast to be -hunted and shot down. But the Boer has his fairer side, although his -type has as yet been unchangeable. As he existed when he ruled in Cape -Colony in 1808, so he now exists in the present day in his settlements -in the interior. He is uneducated, uncultivated, unprogressive, and -obstinate; but he developes qualities under adverse circumstances which -must command English respect. He is certainly domestic as far as his own -family circle is concerned, but, at the same time, the reverse of -gregarious in regard to the world in general. When he first commences to -farm and settle he likes to possess not less than 6000 and not more than -20,000 acres of good undulating "veldt." When he has obtained this, he -starts in his waggon with his wife, his children, his scanty supply of -goods and chattels, his cattle and sheep, and his only literature, the -family Bible. He selects a good spring of water, being careful that no -neighbour is located within at least ten miles. He builds his house with -one large central hall, with the kitchen in rear, and four or five -bedrooms opening out of the hall, all on the ground floor, and sometimes -with a wide verandah outside. Kraals for his cattle, fences to his -garden, and enclosures of 50 or 100 acres, are quickly run up; and so -fertile is the soil and so favourable the climate, that in four or five -years his garden will be full of oranges, lemons, citrons, peaches, -apricots, figs, apples, pears, and vines. His herds and flocks multiply, -his wheat and Indian corn thrive, and thus he lives in a rude but -grateful abundance. His sons arrive at manhood and marry; his daughters -are sought as wives, and if the land is good and plenty they remain and -farm near, and for each generation and new family a new house is built a -few hundred yards from the original. More acres with each generation are -brought under the plough, and the man who is a good farmer, good father, -and good husband cannot be brought to see that he must not covet his -neighbour's land when that neighbour happens to be a black man! Without -sentiment, without tenderness, and without a particle of enthusiasm, and -with the most circumscribed intellectual horizon, he has a stubborn -practicability which is admirably suited for the work of a pioneer, but -which never developes into a power of civilization amongst savage -tribes. - -As has been shown in the preceding narrative the relations between the -Zulu king and the English Government had been growing more and more -tense. Two conspicuous outrages in the early part of 1878 at length -brought matters to a climax. These two events were the Sirayo affair, -and the Middle Drift difficulty. To understand the Sirayo business it is -necessary to enter somewhat into detail. Sirayo and his tribe had a -quarrel with one of the royal tribes--the Ischeni. This, like many -another tribal dispute common enough in Zululand, never grew to an -"assegai" matter, but encounters frequently occurred, in which sticks -only were used, and the object of the rival factions was to drive off -the opponent's cattle. The result of this, and a "law-suit" between the -parties, settled by the king, was that Sirayo lost all his cattle. -Shortly after this, one of Sirayo's wives, who had already been put -aside on account of having a son whose legitimacy was suspected, being -again in the family-way, fled with her paramour into Natal. Another -wife, in a similar condition, also accompanied her. Nothing was done at -the time, but Sirayo's sons subsequently learning that these women were -in kraals close to the border, having collected an armed band, crossed -the river Buffalo in broad daylight, seized one of the women, recrossed -the stream, and then killed her. The Natal Kaffirs armed and threatened -a rescue, but made no attack on Sirayo's party, who, on the same night, -made another incursion, and the second woman suffered the same fate as -the first. - -Thereupon the English demanded the surrender of Sirayo's sons. Cetywayo -sent to Sirayo advising him to hand over cattle instead of his sons. -Sirayo replied that in consequence of the Ischeni dispute he had no -cattle; that he was aware that his sons had transgressed; and that he -was sorry. Again the English insisted on the surrender of the two young -men. To this Cetywayo replied that they were very young, and therefore -their conduct should be excused, and mercy shown to them. He added, that -beyond all doubt they had done wrong; that the English had good cause -for anger, and that he himself was displeased with Sirayo for not -sending either his sons or cattle. - -The Middle Drift affair occurred thus:--At the very beginning of 1878 -the English were constructing a road from Kranz Kop to the middle drift -of the Tugela. The men at work on this were interrupted, and driven away -from their task by the Zulus living in the district, and Smith, the road -engineer, who had landed on the island at this drift, was seized, -stripped of all his clothing, and much maltreated by the same people. -Reparation was demanded by the Government for this outrage. Furthermore, -from June, 1877, it was evident that Cetywayo was instigating Secocoeni -to hostilities; and even allowing that part of this chief's claim for -compensation was just, it was necessary that the former chief should be -made to understand that while arbitration was going on the law could not -be broken by either side. With great tact, Sir T. Shepstone kept the -peace until the Galeka and Gaika war was over, when Lord Chelmsford and -his forces were freed, and it became possible to support words by -action. Such were the events which led to the sending of an ultimatum by -Sir Bartle Frere. - -In the beginning of December, 1878, therefore, Messrs. John Shepstone, -Brownlie, Walker, Fynn, and Fyney were selected to be the messengers to -Cetywayo, to whom they were to communicate a message, of which the -following was the purport:--The boundary-line was to be drawn from the -junction of the Buffalo and Blood rivers to the Magedala Mountains, and -thence on to the district of Roundhill and the source of the Pongolo. -All the farmers on the frontier and disputed territory who could produce -any tangible evidence of damage or loss due to Zulu menace or warlike -demonstration were to receive a moderate but fixed compensation. A fine -of 500 head of cattle and the surrender of the guilty members of the -tribe was imposed upon Usirayo's (Sirayo) people, and twenty days only -allowed for the payment of the penalty; 100 head of cattle to be paid -for the outrage upon Lieut. Smith; Umbelini, who had given so much -trouble, to be handed over to and dealt with by the Transvaal -Government; the whole of King Cetywayo's large army at once to be -disbanded; freedom of marriage to be allowed when the parties thereto -were of age; justice to be impartially administered; missionaries to be -allowed to return to the Zulu country; British Residents to be -appointed; all disputes between Europeans to be referred to the king and -the resident; and, finally, no expulsion from Zulu territory to be -carried into effect without the distinct approval of the resident. - -It was further intimated to the king that unless he showed his -compliance with these terms, on or before December 31st, then on January -1st, 1879, the British army would commence the invasion of his land, and -would enforce them at the point of the bayonet. The advance, it has been -said, originally was to have been made on the 1st; but his Excellency -the High Commissioner, allowing for the possibility of letters being -delayed by the swollen state of the river, the Tugela being then in -flood, extended his term of grace to the 11th. A _Gazette_ extraordinary -was published on January 6th, containing a declaration from Sir Bartle -Frere, demanding from Cetywayo unqualified submission, stating that the -general would after the 11th instant demand redress, and that the Zulu -people were to be protected. The following was its form:-- - - - "NOTIFICATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER - - "In July last two armed bodies of Zulus, retainers of the Chief - Usirago, led by his sons and brothers, entered Natal and took away - by force refugee women, who were claiming protection from the - resident magistrate of Umsinga. These women were dragged across the - border, and, it is believed, murdered. These acts of outrage were - promptly brought to Cetywayo's notice by his Excellency the - Lieutenant-Governor of Natal, but no explanation or redress could be - obtained from Cetywayo. Twenty-one days were allowed to the Zulu - king to surrender the three sons and brother of the Chief Usirago - for trial, and as this term expired on 31st December, 1878, the High - Commissioner entertains no hope that it is the intention of the Zulu - king to afford the redress which her Majesty's Government has a - right to demand. - - "Therefore I hereby make known, for the information of Cetywayo and - all the Zulu people, that I have placed the further prosecution of - this and all other demands for redress and reparation in the hands - of his Excellency the Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford, commanding - her Majesty's Forces in South Africa, with the request that he will - take such steps as he may find necessary to protect the British - territory from further aggression, and to compel the Zulu king to - comply with all the demands made on him for satisfaction due to the - British Government, or for the greater security of the British - territory, or for the better and more peaceable government of the - Zulu people. Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford will carefully - notify to all Zulu chiefs and people who may come within his reach - that the commands of the British Government are made on Cetywayo, as - much in the interests of the Zulu people as of the English nation, - and that till the 11th January the Lieut.-General will be willing to - receive and to transmit to me any intimation of the unqualified - acceptance by Cetywayo of all the terms offered to him. If such - intimation of unqualified and complete acceptance be received by the - Lieut.-General before the 11th January no further hostile movement - will be made, unless rendered necessary by the action of the Zulu - forces, and up to the above date Lord Chelmsford will be ready to - consider any steps which the Zulu king may propose for the purpose - of giving real and permanent effect to the demands of the British - Government. But unless all these terms be fully complied with by the - above date, the Lieut.-General will no longer be bound by the terms - of the 11th December, but will take such measures as the forces - under his command will permit for compelling the submission of the - Zulu king; always bearing in mind that the British Government has no - quarrel with the Zulu nation, and that the future good government - and well-being of the Zulus is as much an object of the steps now - taken as the safety and protection of the British territories of - Natal and the Transvaal. And I do hereby warn all residents and - inhabitants of her Majesty's possessions and colonies in South - Africa, of whatever race, to be guided by this, my notification, - and I do strongly charge and command all her Majesty's officers, - ministers, and subjects, and all others whom it may concern, to - govern themselves and to act accordingly, and to take due notice of - and to pay due regard to the tenor thereof. - - "H. B. E. FRERE, - High Commissioner. - - "Pietermaritzburg, Natal, Jan. 4, 1879." - -During the whole of December Lord Chelmsford had been indefatigable in -collecting and organizing the military forces at his command. The result -was that at this date (Jan. 11th) the return in the order-book was as -follows:-- - - - GENERAL STATE OF THE FIELD FORCES. - - - NO. 1 COLUMN (Headquarters, Thring's Post, Lower Tugela). - - Commandant--Colonel C. K. Pearson, the Buffs. - - Naval Brigade--170 bluejackets and marines of H.M.S. "Active" (with - one Gatling and two 7-pounder guns), under Captain Campbell, R.N. - - Royal Artillery--Two 7-pounder guns and rocket battery, under Lieut. - W. N. Lloyd, R.A. - - Infantry--2nd battalion 3rd Buffs, under Lieut.-Col. H. Parnell. - - Mounted Infantry--100 men under Captain Barrow, 19th Hussars. - - Volunteers--Durban Rifles, Natal Hussars, Stanger Rifles, Victoria - Rifles, Alexandra Rifles. Average, forty men per corps, all - mounted. - - Native Contingent--1000 men, under Major Graves, the Buffs. - - - NO. 2 COLUMN (Headquarters, Helpmakaar, near Rorke's Drift). - - Commandant--Colonel Glyn, 1st battalion 24th Regiment. - - Royal Artillery--N battery 5th brigade Royal Artillery (with - 7-pounder guns), under Major A. Harness, R.A. - - Infantry--Seven companies 1st battalion 24th Regiment and 2nd - battalion 24th Regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Degacher. - - Natal Mounted Police--Commanded by Major Dartnell. - - Volunteers--Natal Carabineers, Buffalo Border Guard, Newcastle - Mounted Rifles. All mounted; average forty men. - - Native Contingent--1000 men, under Commandant Lonsdale, late 74th - Highlanders. - - - NO. 3 COLUMN (Headquarters, Utrecht). - - Commandant--Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C., C.B., 90th Regiment. - - Royal Artillery--11th battery 7th brigade R.A. (with four 7-pounder - guns) under Major E. Tremlett, R.A. - - Infantry--1st battalion 13th Regiment and 90th Regiment. - - Mounted Infantry--100 men, under Major J. C. Russell, 12th Lancers. - - Frontier Light Horse--200 strong, under Major Redvers Buller, C.B., - 60th Rifles. - - Volunteers--The Kaffrarian Vanguard, Commandant Schermbrucker, 100 - strong. - - Native Contingent--The Swazis, our native allies, some 5000 strong. - -An idea of the numbers and nature of Cetywayo's force may be gathered -from the report of the Government Intelligence Department made at this -time. - -"The Zulu army, as at present constituted, is drawn from the entire male -population, as every male between the ages of fifteen and sixty-five is -called upon to serve, without any exemption. The military force consists -of fourteen corps or regiments, divided into wings right and left, and -the latter into companies. The companies, however, are not of equal -strength, but vary immensely, even from ten to 200, according to the -numerical strength of the corps to which they belong. In fact, the -companies and regiments would more correctly be termed families or -clans, and each corps possesses its own military headquarters, or -kraal, with the following hierarchy, namely, one commanding officer, -chief, or Iduna-Yesibaya; one second in command, major, or -Iduna-Yohlangoti, who has charge of the left wing; two wing officers, -and company officers according to the need of the battalion. As a rule, -all these officers are in command of men of the same ages as themselves, -and the method of recruiting is as follows:--At stated and periodical -intervals, generally from two to five years, a general levy takes place, -when all the youths who happen at that time to have attained the age of -fifteen are formed into a regiment and undergo a year's probation, -during which time they are supposed to pass from boyhood to manhood. As -the regiment becomes disciplined and seasoned it receives large drafts -from other corps, so that as the elders die out young men come in to -fill up the ranks. The entire Zulu army consists of thirty-three -regiments, married and unmarried. No one in Zululand, male or female, is -allowed to marry without the king's permission, and this permission is -never granted until the men are about forty years of age. They then have -to shave the crown of the head, and to put a ring round it, and carry a -white shield, in contradistinction to the unmarried regiments, who do -not shave their heads and carry coloured shields. Many of these -regiments are too young for active service, others are too old, -consequently it is estimated that only about twenty-five regiments would -be able to take the field, and these would muster perhaps 40,000. Of -these 4500 are between fifty and sixty years of age; 3400 are between -forty and fifty; 10,000 between thirty and forty; and 22,000 between -twenty and thirty. We have heard a great deal about the drill of these, -but their movements, as far as we can learn, are few and very simple, -but very quickly performed in their own way. They form circles of -regiments in order to outflank the enemy. From this formation they break -into columns of regiments or companies, and from these into skirmishing -order, with supports and reserves. The sole commissariat of the Zulu -army consists of three or four days' grain, carried by the lads who -follow each corps, and, if necessary, a herd of cattle driven with each -column." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - Plan of campaign--Native levies--Special service officers--The - advance--Pearson's column--Glyn's column--Wood's - column--Utrecht--First brush with the enemy--Difficulties of - transport--Action on Inyezani--Pearson at Ekowe--Glyn's - advance--Durnford's failure--Isandhlwana--Description of camp--The - battle--Details--Reconnaissance and return of Lord - Chelmsford--Rorke's Drift--Causes of Isandhlwana--Remarks. - - -The plan of the campaign now commenced was to advance into Zululand in -four columns, each column complete in itself, having its own artillery, -cavalry, and independent leader. Each column was also to keep up -communications with the columns on flank, thus creating, as it were, the -effect of an advance in one extended line. - -By this means it was intended to thoroughly sweep the entire Zulu -territory, and at the same time to prevent any large body of the enemy -from slipping between the columns, and so getting to the rear and -delivering a counter-attack on the colonies. - -In addition to the regular European forces, large native levies had been -raised, amounting in all to 7400. It is a great error to suppose that -these were without arms, dress, or discipline. On the contrary, a great -many of them came to us well armed with serviceable-looking rifles, -evidently of Birmingham or Sheffield make, while some of the -older-fashioned fire-arms had the Tower mark. - -Nor were they clothed only with the conventional blanket. On the -contrary, their uniform was neat, and, at the same time, workmanlike, -and consisted of a corduroy tunic, or rather patrol jacket, and -breeches, with long boots of untanned leather, and a broad-leafed -_sombrero_ as a head-dress. - -Several native corps were rapidly formed, in the following manner:--The -commandant and his staff officers were British officers, the captains -mostly retired British officers, colonists, or settlers; the -non-commissioned officers, white settlers of different nationalities, -and the privates usually Kaffirs. - -Among the English officers who received commands in this native -contingent were Captain Nolan (Pioneers), Major Bengough, Captain -Russell (Rocket Battery), Captain Ulich de Burgh (5th West York -Militia), Captain Cherry (32nd Foot), and Lieutenant Hon. H. Gough. -Colonel Durnford had command of the whole column, which was to be -entirely native so far as the rank and file were concerned, and to be -composed of all the three arms--artillery, cavalry, and infantry. - -There was also a considerable contingent of European Volunteers--more -especially of mounted men, whose total reached close on 1000. -Conspicuous amongst these were the Volunteer Hussars and Alexandra -Mounted Rifles, the Durban Mounted Rifles, Captain Raaf's Diamond Field -and Free State Horse, and a contingent of mounted Boers under Piet Uys, -who gallantly responded to Colonel Wood's spirited and soldierlike -appeal. These Boers were a splendid body of men, most of them crack -shots with the rifle, and although somewhat fierce and uncompromising -towards their ancient enemies, the Zulus, proved of invaluable service -through their knowledge of localities. - -The following "special service" officers, sent out from England, had -also arrived and entered on their respective duties:--Captain Cherry -(32nd Light Infantry), was placed in command of the 3rd battalion Natal -Contingent; Captain Gardner (14th Hussars), was sub-director of -transports at headquarters, as well as Captain Huntley (10th Regiment), -who was posted to the River Mooi; Captains Essex (76th), and Hon. H. -Campbell (Coldstream Guards), were also directors of transports. Major -Hopton had this duty at Pietermaritzburg. Captain Brunker, of the -Cameronians (26th), had the command of a squadron of Light Horse. -Captain Barton (7th Regiment), was staff officer to Colonel Durnford; -Captains Pelly Clark (103rd Regiment), Spratt (29th), and Lieutenant -Lawrence (18th), were all employed on transport duty at Durban, where, -as most of the ammunition and stores were landed, their office was no -sinecure. Captain Macgregor (29th Regiment), was staff officer to -Colonel Pearson, and Captain Hart (31st Regiment) was on the staff of -Lord Chelmsford. - -Meanwhile Cetywayo's term of grace had expired; the 11th of January had -come and gone without any sign from the Zulu monarch. On the following -day the war had begun, and the Tugela was successfully crossed. By four -o'clock on the 12th the Buffs, four companies of the 99th, the Victoria -Mounted Rifles, the native Sappers, the 1st Natal Native Contingent, and -the Naval Brigade were well over the Lower Tugela, near Fort -Buckingham. The pontoon worked remarkably well, making three trips an -hour. Four small boats were also employed. A herd of cattle was brought -into the camp by the vedettes, who also reported that a large Zulu force -was in position about twenty miles off, and also at Ondini. It has been -mentioned that four columns would be formed from out of the three (whose -details have been given above), and these four were now advancing into -Zululand in a line which partly described a crescent, of which the left -extremity rested on Luneberg and the Pongolo, the right upon the Lower -Drift of the Tugela, close to the sea, while the inner half of the -circle was represented by the boundaries of Natal and the Transvaal. - -The centre may be considered as being at Fort Pearson, where there was a -strongly entrenched camp on the summit of a rising or bluff overlooking -the river Tugela. The column moving from Fort Pearson consisted of 1500 -regular infantry, that is to say, eight companies of the Buffs, under -Colonel Parnell; six companies of the 99th, under Colonel Welman; one -company Royal Artillery and two 7-pounder guns, drawn by mules under -Lieutenant Lloyd; one Naval Brigade of 276 bluejackets and Marines, -under Captain Campbell, from her Majesty's ships "Active" and "Tenedos," -with three Gatlings; 200 Mounted Infantry, under Captain Barrow, and 200 -Mounted Volunteers (Durban Mounted Rifles), under Captain W. Shepstone; -the Alexandra Mounted Rifles, Captain Arbuthnot; Victoria Mounted -Rifles, Captain Saner; Stanger Mounted Rifles, Captain Addison; the -Natal Hussars, Captain Norton. Colonel Pearson, of the Buffs, was in -command of the column, and had to co-operate with him a native -contingent of 2000 men, under Major Graves, as well as two companies of -the 99th posted at Stanger and Durban. The total strength of Colonel -Pearson's column may, therefore, be set down at 2200 Europeans and 2000 -natives. - -The second or right centre column moved from Kranz Kop, a most -formidable position, supported by Fort Buckingham. This was the scene of -operations in 1861. The heights are commanding and look over a wide -field of country. The position is unassailable except from the Natal -side, and this was strongly fortified. Colonel Durnford, R.E., commanded -this district and attack, and had with him now the 1st Regiment Native -Contingent, which then consisted of three fine battalions, with three -rocket tubes, under Lieutenant Russell, and 250 mounted natives, making -altogether 3300 natives, officered by 200 European officers. - -Following the line of advance to the left, and occupying about fifty or -sixty miles of frontier, we come to column three, the left centre -attack, commanded by Colonel Glyn. Take any good map and you will remark -how the boundary winds serpentine fashion in its length from Fort -Buckingham to Rorke's Drift and Helpmakaar. Helpmakaar made an excellent -base to Rorke's Drift. Being situated on a lofty plateau, it formed an -admirable place for a permanent encampment. It also had depôts at -Greytown on the one side and Ladismith on the other. Colonel Glyn had -with him seven companies of the 1st battalion 24th and eight companies -of the 2nd battalion 24th, six 7-pounder guns with Kaffrarian carriages -under Colonel Harness, a squadron of mounted infantry under Captain -Browne, the Natal Mounted Police (150 men), the Natal Carabineers under -Captain Shepstone, the Buffalo Border Guard (Captain Robson), the -Newcastle Mounted Rifles (Captain Bradstreet), also the native -contingent (2nd Regiment), 2000 strong, under Commandant Lonsdale, -officered by 200 whites. From Rorke's Drift, about five miles over the -river is Ungusdana, and thence on the traveller comes to the Intalalala -river, which is about fifteen miles inland. The country all about the -district is rugged and broken, and calculated to afford positions of -great defensive strength. Colonel Glyn was, if possible, to bear a -little to his left flank after crossing the boundary with a view to -communication being opened with Wood's right flank. To effect this -connexion, however, there was a sad need of cavalry. - -We now come to the extreme left of the advance, whose headquarters were -Utrecht, and which was thus composed:--Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C., C.B., -90th Light Infantry, commanding No. 4 Column; Staff Orderly Officer, -Lieutenant Lysons, 90th Infantry; Principal Staff Officer, Captain Hon. -R. G. E. Campbell, Coldstream Guards; general Staff duties, Captain -Woodgate, 4th Regiment; transport duties, Captain Vaughan, R.A.; senior -commissary officer, Commissary Hughes; commissary of ordnance, Assistant -Commissary Philimore; subdistrict paymaster, Paymaster M'Donald; senior -medical officer, Surgeon-Major Cuffe. Corps--Royal Artillery, six -7-pounders, Major Tremlett, R.A.; 1st-13th Light Infantry, -Lieutenant-Colonel Gilbert, 13th; 90th Light Infantry, Brevet -Lieutenant-Colonel Cherry, 90th; Frontier Light Horse, Brevet -Lieut.-Colonel Buller, C.B., 60th; Wood's Irregulars, 700 men, -Commandant Henderson. In addition, a few Boers were coming in, and more -were expected. - -Utrecht is the most southerly part of the Transvaal, and lies upon the -border of both Natal and Zululand. It is separated from the former by -the Buffalo river, and, after crossing the Blood river, a few marches -bring one to the territories of King Cetywayo. From the lowest, or most -southerly portions of Utrecht, just where the Buffalo and Blood rivers -form a junction, to the port of Durban, on the coast of Natal, is but -100 miles, and the capital city is about thirty miles from Newcastle, -the most northern of Natal towns. The two districts are connected by a -tolerably fair road and a drift over the Buffalo river. Utrecht, in a -strategical point of view, wedged in as it were between Natal and -Zululand, cannot be equalled by any position of a similar nature. The -interior of this district extends away to the summit of the Drakenberg -range, one of which reaches an altitude of 4000 feet. Most of the -Utrecht land lies in what is called the "terrace country," and has the -advantage of the most splendid bracing air, added to which are mountain -ridge and peak, precipice, wooded gorge, and grass-land, and scenery -whose characteristics are of a grander and nobler nature than that of -the Cape Colony. The portion of the Drakenberg which runs through -Utrecht has its eastern front and glacis looking towards the sea, which -is about eighty miles distant, and as each terrace or range slopes down -the character of the country changes, presenting many of the features -of the upper portions of the Cape Colony, that is to say, broad -undulating downs in one part and immense flats covered with bush on the -other. All the principal rivers and streams of Utrecht and their -tributaries flow eastward to the Indian Ocean. On one boundary there is -the Pongola, and on the other the Buffalo, while the Blood river passes -through it with a south-eastern flow, and the Pifan does the same, but -with an inclination to the north-east. From the wild highlands between -these two streams issue the head waters of the Umoolosi, which traverses -Zululand and empties itself into St. Lucia Bay. - -Wood's column marched from Utrecht on the 7th, so as to be on the -borderland in order to operate with the right-hand column on the -appointed day. General Lord Chelmsford had given orders that Colonel -Wood was to be at a certain point on the 10th, and consequently -arrangements were made to carry out these instructions. It was known -that Sirayo would probably oppose the crossing of Colonel Glyn at -Rorke's Drift, and Colonel Wood had been told, if possible, to get -sufficiently near to operate on the enemy's right and rear should such -an attempt be made. Leaving a small guard at his camps at Sandspruit, -the rest of Wood's force paraded in the lightest possible order at 1.30 -p.m. on the 10th, and marched from two that afternoon until six p.m. A -halt was then made until 1.30 a.m., when by the light of a glorious moon -the advance was pursued. A mounted advanced guard was thrown out, -flanking patrols were organized and told off, and the troops moved in -the greatest silence, not a word in the ranks being allowed to be -spoken. At 3 a.m., a short halt took place, and the chief ordered -forward a reconnaissance, consisting of Buller's Light Horse, two -7-pounder guns under Major Tremlett, and twenty-four picked shots from -the 13th and 90th Regiments respectively. These men were to be carried -in some of the mule waggons, and were accompanied by the 700 irregulars, -horse and foot. Colonel Wood accompanied this advanced force, leaving -the remaining (main) body in charge of Colonel Gilbert, who was ordered -to follow at a fixed time. The advanced body arrived within ten miles of -Rorke's Drift at 7.30 a.m., and by eight the camp fires were lit and the -men comfortably having their breakfasts on the banks of a small stream; -the mounted men having at once off-saddled, the infantry piled arms, and -the horses and mules turned out to graze under a strong guard. - -About nine o'clock the general, Lord Chelmsford, cantered up to the -camp, accompanied by his staff and an escort of 100 mounted infantry and -some Natal mounted police. The general seemed delighted at the celerity -with which his orders had been carried out, as in eighteen hours Wood's -party had covered twenty-seven miles, and the men and horses were as -fresh as paint. A long consultation took place with the general, and -then the order was issued for the return to the main body; but this was -not found necessary, as Colonel Gilbert met them after about ten miles. - -In this day, or rather twenty-four hours, the men had marched thirty-one -miles, and were not fated, on camp being pitched, to enjoy the fruits of -their labour and toil, for soon after they were settled for the evening -a heavy thunderstorm came suddenly over the tents, and in a quarter of -an hour they were up to their ankles in a perfect river of water. The -tents went down in all directions, and in many cases poles were snapped. -The next day, however, a patrol of Buller's horse was paraded soon after -daybreak, as scouts had brought in information that a large number of -cattle were to be seen in the neighbouring kloof. Soon after leaving -camp Buller's men were fired upon, but the Zulus did not stand their -ground, and by the afternoon they had brought in nearly 1000 cattle. -Captain Barton, who had gone out later in the day with another party, -marched twenty miles in the direction of Umkanga's kraal, where in the -skirmish which resulted 550 cattle were taken, and seven of the Zulus -were killed and wounded. On the following morning a strong -reconnaissance was made in the direction of the Bushee Valley. The Zulus -were in considerable force, and their general tried to induce the -English skirmishers to follow him to ground of his own choosing. Colonel -Wood, however, kept his men well in hand, and contented himself by -sending forward two companies of the 13th Light Infantry, Colonel -Gilbert's fine corps, and menacing the Zulu flank with some score or -more horsemen, who, galloping to a favouring eminence, made capital -practice at the Zulu main body with their rifles at 700 and 800 yards. -The Zulus still continued to creep up in rear, getting what cover they -could from the bushes, and a sharp fire was kept up on both sides. As -the men in skirmishing order pushed the enemy gradually before them, the -mounted force harassed them on either flank, sometimes galloping round -to the right and left to obtain vantage-ground and cover, and then -dismounting in sections, and acting as infantry, while the main body was -kept carefully out of sight in the dense mimosa which was found in the -rear. The bush, as they advanced, gradually became more dense, and the -path scarcely allowed them to move in fours by a steep descent into a -wooded valley. Instinctively it was guessed that here would be the main -body of the foe, and this turned out to be the case, for away to the -left front, on a tall "copjie" or circular hill, about twenty mounted -Zulus were to be seen, evidently the commander and his staff giving -orders and directing the operations of the columns in the plain. The -firing had now become general, but the soldiers were not allowed to -waste their ammunition, and nearly every shot told with fatal effect. -Colonel Wood had taken the precaution to strengthen his flanks as he -advanced, and as the enemy could not tell how strong he was, the main -body being still invisible, they were completely puzzled by the daring -of the mounted men, who seemed ubiquitous. The guns were found rather a -nuisance; one of the carriages broke down, and the limber had to be left -behind, while the gun itself was secured. The head of the first line of -skirmishers had now made good their way through the kloof with slight -loss, and the Zulus attempted in vain to get round to its rear, but -found all hopes of such a man[oe]uvre utterly futile--as the flanking -parties were on the _qui-vive_. It was now Wood's turn to push them, and -he used the opportunity. Two more companies were advanced at the double -to force the centre of the Zulu line, and in a few moments we had cut -it in two. In the meanwhile one of the light field-pieces had obtained a -favourable position, and had got the enemy's range exactly, but the -execution done was not what could have been obtained with a good honest -nine or twelve-pounder. The pursuit was carried on for about a mile, and -the Zulus were scattered in all directions, but the commander was too -wary to allow his men to go too far, and the recall was sounded, and in -a short time brought back the excited fellows, puffing and blowing, to -rejoin the main body. - -For some days this column continued to advance steadily without meeting -any serious opposition. Having moved on from the Blood River, Wood's -force encamped at Bemba's Kop till the 20th January. The country over -which they had passed since they left Utrecht may be described as a -succession of large rolling plains, interspersed in all directions by -watercourses (_dongas_), which radiate from the bases of the -table-topped mountains rising at intervals throughout this part of the -country. These watercourses are as a rule about twelve to fourteen feet -deep, and serve to irrigate the country, which seems prosperous and -well-populated. What would be called a road in England does not exist in -Zululand. The tracks made by the traders with their waggons answer the -purpose. These tracks are, however, tolerably good, and experience -proved that artillery could be moved almost anywhere, except in wet -weather. Waggons could pass each other at almost any part of the main -road from Utrecht to Ulundi, except at that portion leading across the -Inhlazatye Mountain, which runs along a narrow ledge, and where it -ascends the Intendeka table-land. Wherever the troops moved they came -across numerous kraals, each kraal containing from eight to fifteen -huts, and each hut ten to fifteen men. From Bemba's Kop they moved on -the 20th to Wolpoint, as nearly as possible seven miles west of the -White Umbolosi, and thence went on to Tunguin's Neck, where a laager was -planned and completed. After a reconnaissance made by Colonel Wood on -the 22nd, in which his troops had a slight skirmish with a small body of -Zulus, suffering no casualties, and inflicting a slight loss upon them, -he halted on the 23rd, and sent out strong patrols in the direction of -the Ingwazini River. These men rode over an open plain admirably suited -for cavalry operations, but found nothing but some deserted kraals and -the dead bodies of some Zulus, who, it was subsequently discovered, were -wounded at Isandula the previous day. On their return the party were -fortunate enough to discover the whereabouts of a strong body, some 4000 -to 5000 Zulu warriors, who, it was imagined, were merely the nucleus of -a force intended to surprise Wood's column. They were posted in a -well-chosen position at a place called Tintas Hill, and when they moved -down in his direction the following day, Wood had concealed a portion of -his force so well, that he got them between two fires, and in about half -an hour had killed about sixty or seventy of them, his own casualties -being only two men wounded. It was during this action that information -was brought by Captain Alan Gardner, who gallantly rode without any -escort from Helpmakaar to Utrecht, notifying the terrible disaster of -the 22nd, and the destruction of No. 3 Column. This news caused Colonel -Wood to change his plans, and after a halt of a couple of hours, he -turned back towards the Umbolosi, where his little force arrived at -seven a.m. on the 25th. On Sunday (26th) he moved on to Ugaba Ka Hawana, -where good camping-ground and a defensive position were chosen, and -where the minor essentials of wood and water were in plenty. - -Colonel Pearson, who commanded No. 1 Column on the extreme right, had -also been prosecuting his advance with the greatest vigour, and the -results were in every way satisfactory, though already the tremendous -difficulties of commissariat and transport had made themselves -unpleasantly evident. This force assembled near Fort Stanger, and -crossed the Lower Tugela on the 12th, having as nearly as possible 1500 -regular troops, consisting of eight companies of the old Buffs, under -Colonel Parnell; six companies of the 99th, under Colonel Welman; one -company Royal Engineers, and two 7-pounder guns. A naval brigade, -however, which might be considered as a little army in itself, went with -them, and were under Colonel Pearson's command. This force consisted of -270 bluejackets and marines, under Captain Campbell, of her Majesty's -ships "Active" and "Tenedos," with three of the new-pattern Gatling. Two -hundred mounted infantry and 200 colonial mounted riflemen also formed -part of the column, while the whole force was supplemented by Major -Griffiths and about 2000 men of the Native Contingent. The crossing of -the river was at first impeded by the rains, and another delay occurred -at the lower drift, where the river was at least 400 yards wide, but all -these difficulties were overcome, and after a week's delay a flying -column was sent forward on the 18th in the direction of Ekowe, which is -a mission-station not quite forty miles inland, and distant nearly -seventy from the king's kraal at Ulundi. It was the intention of Colonel -Pearson to establish here an entrenched post as a _point d'appui_ to the -invading army. On the following day the colonel was followed by the rear -division, escorting the heavy baggage, necessary though inconvenient -_impedimenta_, as it contained stores and ammunition. The column of -waggons extended for five miles, and it took the officers in charge all -their time and the services of three horses each during the day to -supervise its progress from inspan till outspan. Again, two days later, -came the commissariat, and here imagination fails to describe the -difficulties encountered. The subject of transport is one that must be -considered in any future operations in Africa. The waggons must be -stronger than those employed; the animals should be proof against -sickness caused by climate, the tulip plant, and the tsetse fly, and -this can be avoided by choosing one's own season for marching. The -employment of mules would be much preferable to that of oxen, although -in many books the converse is stated, the Dutch being infatuated in -regard to the superior qualities of the latter. Mules, for instance, -have this advantage over oxen. They can travel twenty-five miles a day -with ease, while twelve or fifteen a day with oxen is considered good -work; but, on the other hand, it must be remembered that a mule costs -twice as much as an ox, apart from the cost of feeding. The mule must, -of course, be fed on forage carried for him or bought on the road, -while the ox will feed on the veldt, except during the three winter -months, when his services are not often required. Two kinds of mules can -be procured about Pretoria--the Montevidean and the home-bred animal. -The latter is generally preferred, although no doubt the former is most -tractable. There is an immense trouble in selecting oxen for -campaigning, as none but those bred in the sour veldt of Natal or -Zululand are of any use for such rough food and hard work; and, as a -rule, these will live where others would die. The usual load is 7000 -lbs., placed on a waggon weighing 3000 lbs., and drawn by sixteen or -eighteen oxen. The cost for oxen averages about 9_l._ each, but during -this war they went up to 18_l._, and even 25_l._ Each waggon, with -dissel-boom and yokes complete, costs at least 180_l._ The cost of mules -will average 20_l._ each, and mule waggons 100_l._, with harness at -5_l._ for each animal. - -The road, after crossing the river Tugela, crosses no less than four -streams, and before reaching Ekowe passes through a broken bushy -country. On the 22nd, the day on which Isandula was attacked, Colonel -Pearson had a sharp engagement with the enemy at a place called by the -natives Inyezane, about four or five miles beyond his camping-ground of -the 21st. Major Barrow had been sent forward along a fertile valley -which led to the Inyezane, when Colonel Pearson received a despatch from -him, saying that he had selected a tolerably good place for camping, -which he had carefully guarded by vedettes. On receiving this -information the colonel at once rode on to the spot, and although he did -not quite approve of the ground, as being too full of bush for an -outspan, he decided to allow the waggons to be outspanned for two hours -on account of there being no water near at hand. This was done to rest -and feed the oxen, and to allow the men to have their morning meal. -About eight o'clock, just as the waggons had begun to park, and while -the officers were busy in directing the posting of pickets, scouts, and -sentries, the advanced company of the Native Contingent, which had been -scouting in front under Captain Hart, discovered the Zulus in force -rapidly advancing over the slopes and attempting to gain the bushes on -both flanks. They came on in skirmishing and extended order in the -finest style, rushing from bush to bush in a steady but stealthy manner -until within 100 or 150 yards of the outposts. Captain Hart's men, being -in the open, had to bear the brunt of a heavy fire, and not without -casualties, as they lost one officer, four non-commissioned officers, -and four privates almost at once. These poor fellows, it is feared, were -sacrificed, inasmuch as they did not understand the order to retire and -seek cover, and concluded that it was their duty to remain in the open. -The Naval Brigade was now ordered into action, and most ably they -acquitted themselves. Two 7-pounders and two 24-pounder Naval Brigade -rockets were smartly brought into action on a knoll at the base of the -pass, but commanding the valley from which the flank attack was made. -Meanwhile two companies of the Buffs and A and B companies of the Naval -Brigade opened a heavy and well-directed fire upon the enemy, and -effectually held him in check. This coign of vantage was occupied by -Colonel Pearson, whence he directed the movements of his troops during -the fight. All this time the waggons continued to park, and while the -fire was kept up by Commander Campbell, Lieutenant Lloyd, with his guns, -and Lieutenant Martin with the Buffs, two other companies of the same -regiment which had been employed in guarding waggons were moved down, -ready to clear the bush as soon as it was well shelled and swept with -rockets and musketry. Colonel Pearson selected Captain Macgregor to -undertake this duty, with the assistance of Captains Harrison and Wyld, -who, getting their men into skirmishing order, and bringing their -shoulders gradually forward as steadily as if man[oe]uvring at a -field-day, sent the Zulu braves flying discomfited before them, and -exposed them once more in the open to the hail of shot and shell which -swept the plain. Colonel Welman, 99th Regiment, now took advantage of -this favourable moment, when the enemy was demoralized, to send forward -Captain Wynne and Major Barrow with the infantry. These, with -skirmishers and flankers on the left, and supported by two -half-companies of the Buffs and 99th, now moved forward at a steady -pace. - -The Zulus, however, were not beaten, though evidently puzzled, and -Campbell, who was in charge of the Naval Brigade, saw that they were -making a flank movement on the left. This officer at once obtained -permission from Colonel Pearson to take a portion of his men and drive -out a body of Zulus who had obtained possession of a kraal about 400 -yards from the knoll. Captain Hart, with part of his Native Contingent, -gallantly supported this movement. They managed to obtain possession of -the high ground to the left of the Ekowe road, and effectually checked -the enemy in their movement on the British left. - -But the gallant sailor Campbell was not satisfied with this partial -success, and sent for further permission to follow up his _coup_ by -driving on the foe to a more respectable distance. Colonel Parnell, of -the Buffs, who up to this time had been acting as a sort of reserve with -Captain Foster's company at the foot knoll, where Colonel Pearson -remained throughout the action, had now an opportunity of mingling in -the fray. Smartly deploying his men, he advanced at the double, and -forming up on the right of the bluejackets, swept the heights beyond the -kraal which a few moments before were crowned with savage warriors. This -decided the action, as the Zulus, thoroughly distracted, fled in all -directions, the guns making capital practice wherever a group collected. -The last round from the rocket-tubes seemed to carry destruction and -confusion amongst them, and was fired a little before ten a.m. - -Colonel Pearson and Colonel Parnell both had their horses shot under -them, and several officers remarked that the fire of the Zulus was -principally directed at the English leaders. The regiments opposed to -Pearson were composed of the Umxapu, Umdhlanefu, and Ingulubi, and as -near as could be judged, and from the information subsequently received, -numbered about 5000 men. Of these at the very least 300 were slain, -while the number of wounded, as a rule carried away into the bush, could -not have been less than double that. Pearson's loss was eight killed and -sixteen wounded, and of these were six officers and non-commissioned -officers of the Native Contingent. The following day two companies of -the Buffs, two companies Native Contingent, and a few mounted men were -sent off to the help of Colonel Ely, 99th Regiment, who with three -companies of his regiment was bringing up a convoy, much wanted, of -seventy waggons of stores and ammunition, while on Saturday, the 18th, -Major Coates started with fifty extra waggons to bring up more supplies. -On the day after the Inyezane engagement Pearson arrived at Ekowe. The -position was a strong one, and he immediately set to work to make it -still more formidable. Water was close to the fort, and well under its -fire. - -At this juncture news of the Isandhlwana disaster reached Colonel -Pearson. After consultation with his officers, he decided to remain -where he was, feeling confident that even without further supplies or -reinforcements he could hold his position for at least a couple of -months. All his waggons came in safety to the fort except five, which -broke down and had to be abandoned. The mounted men and Native -Contingent were sent back to save food, and there thus remained 1200 -British troops, having 320 rounds per man. - -The first failure in the carrying out of Lord Chelmsford's plans -occurred to No. 4 Column, and proved the initial step to the crowning -disaster of Isandhlwana. The right centre column, which should have -operated simultaneously with Colonel Wood's force, was unfortunately -composed almost entirely of natives, and these fellows did not succeed -in getting over at the point directed in orders. As this column could -not be brought over the river, a portion of it was left behind to keep -open communications and guard the frontier, while the remainder, under -Colonel Durnford, was moved up to Rorke's Drift to reinforce Colonel -Glyn's command. The following day (12th) Colonel Glyn had his first -brush with the enemy. Lord Chelmsford had joined this column, and after -crossing the Tugela ordered out a reconnaissance by the Bashee Valley -and along the road leading to Izpizi. Glyn took with him three companies -of the 1st battalion 24th and one battalion 3rd Regiment Natal Native -Contingent, while the mounted men, crossing the valley, went rapidly -along the road leading over the Ngudu mountains, where high cliffs close -in the gorge for more than three miles. Cattle and armed Zulus were seen -on the heights, and some of the 24th and the natives were ordered to -bear round to the right flank and cut them off. The skirmish which -followed lasted about twenty minutes, and was a very smart affair. It -resulted in the taking of the fastnesses and the precipitate flight of -the Zulus, who suffered a loss of ten killed, three wounded, and nine -prisoners taken, together with a quantity of cattle, horses, and sheep. -Colonel Glyn's loss was two privates Natal Contingent killed, one -officer of the same, Lieutenant Purvis, severely wounded; Corporal -Mayer, Natal Native Contingent, severe wound in thigh. Four companies of -the 2nd battalion 24th, and four companies of the 2nd battalion 3rd -Regiment Natal Native Contingent, under Colonel Degacher, were now -ordered by the General to advance up the Bashee and attack Usirayo's -kraal, a place called Loxie, about two or three miles farther on. This -place, situated in a wild and mountainous gorge or krantz, interspersed -with caves, guarded by huge boulders, was completely explored by these -men. In the meantime Russell and his mounted men had ascended to the -summit of the Ngudu mountain, where they were fired upon at a distance -of 90 or 100 yards. Sixteen of the Zulus were killed, and a very heavy -thunderstorm came on during the fight. No signs could be observed of any -Zulu force in reserve, and this was explained by the subsequent news -that Usirayo had made a precipitate flight in the direction of the -king's kraal. On the following day communications were opened between -Wood's column and that of Colonel Glyn. The General's movements from the -first appear to have been hampered by baggage and transport -arrangements, and a similar reason delayed Colonel Pearson. Lord -Chelmsford was present with this column when it moved from Rorke's -Drift, and saw the site which was chosen by Colonel Glyn at Insalwana, -ten miles on the road to the Indeni forest. He then left Colonel Glyn in -charge of the camp, and on the same day moved, with a portion of the -force, ten miles further on, to reconnoitre the country in front. -Returning to camp that evening, without having had time to fully -explore, the General, the following morning, sent out two separate -reconnoitring columns, under the command respectively of Major Dartnell, -who took with him the Mounted Police and Natal Volunteers, of which he -is commandant, and Commandant Lonsdale with two battalions of his Native -Contingent. Dartnell went along the same road as that explored by the -General the previous day, while Lonsdale moved along the southern slope -of the Inhlazatye range, towards a hill called Malaka's Kop. If -possible a junction between these two bodies was to be effected; and, as -soon as information could be obtained as to the situation of the enemy -and the strategical features of the locality, both were to return to the -headquarter camp. By some extraordinary oversight, neither of these -reconnoitring columns seems to have been supplied with rations, while it -was usual on such expeditions for the men to take preserved meat and -three days' biscuit in their haversacks, supposing that mule transport -cannot be had. On the afternoon of the Tuesday Major Dartnell sent an -officer to the headquarter camp, to inform the General that he could not -advance beyond the Insangu river, a small stream near Inkankla Mountain, -as the Zulus were posted there in force. Dartnell, therefore, sent an -orderly to call up Lonsdale with his Native Contingent, and sent to Lord -Chelmsford to request a reinforcement of regulars to enable him to -attack the enemy. His lordship did not consider it advisable to comply -with this demand, as the daylight was almost gone, and the distance was -long. A supply of biscuit was, however, sent out to the exploring party, -who bivouacked at the foot of the Inhlazatye. During the night, however, -Major Dartnell appears to have become aware of his critical position, -and at half-past two on the morning of the 22nd (Wednesday), Colonel -Glyn received a letter from him, saying that the Zulus had been strongly -reinforced, and were now in his front in great strength. Instead of -recalling the column, or at once pushing forward troops to its -assistance, a delay took place, and a staff officer was despatched to -ask Dartnell what he wished done. After some further lapse of time the -General ordered Colonel Glyn to march to Major Dartnell's assistance -with the 2nd battalion 24th Regiment, consisting of six companies, the -mounted infantry, and four of Harness's guns. As this detachment would -considerably weaken the camp, the General at the same time sent off two -expresses to Colonel Durnford, who had been left at Rorke's Drift, -telling him to move up at once to Isandula with his 500 native troops, -250 of whom were mounted. The General then decided to accompany Colonel -Glyn's force, and Lieutenant-Colonel Pulleine, 1-24th, was left in -charge of the camp, with orders to defend it, pending the arrival of -Durnford's natives. The actual fighting strength of Pulleine's force -consisted of 2 officers, 78 men, and 2 guns R.A.; 1-24th Regiment, 15 -officers, 334 men; 2-24th Regiment, 5 officers, 90 men; mounted -Europeans, 5 officers, 204 men; Native Contingent, 19 officers, 391 men; -Natal Pioneers, 1 officer, 10 men; while Durnford, when he arrived very -soon after, brought with him 18 officers and 450 men, thus making an -aggregate of 772 Europeans and 850 natives, or in all 1622 combatants. -On his arrival at the camp, Colonel Durnford, being the senior officer, -of course immediately assumed the command. - -To the right understanding of what follows it is necessary to give a -somewhat detailed account of the situation. The leading feature of the -plain on the southern slopes of which the English camp was placed is the -Isandhlwana, or Lion Hill. To the west it rises abruptly, forming the -head of the crouching animal it resembles in shape; after forming the -back it descends sharply to the east. At both ends are necks or ridges -connecting the hill with the smaller undulations of which the more level -part of the country consists. The road from Rorke's Drift passes over -the western ridge, while on the north facing the camp was a deep ravine -and watercourse. To the immediate right was a small copse; beyond this -the ground was much broken, irregular krantzes and hills all covered -with huge boulders continuing as far as the Buffalo river. To the left -of the camp, at the distance of rather more than a mile, ran a long -ridge towards the south, connecting it with the great Isandhlwana hill, -having on its summit a plateau which, towards the east, opened on to an -open and extensive valley. On the extreme left of the camp, looking -towards the ridge, were pitched the tents of the Natal Native -Contingent; between these and the next two battalions intervened a space -of rather less than 300 yards; occupying the centre were the British -regular Infantry, just above whom came the headquarters camp of Lord -Chelmsford, and in close proximity the headquarters of the column. On -the right were the guns and mounted corps lining the edge of the road. -Soon after it came over the neck at the back of the camp the ground rose -considerably, until the bottom of the precipitous Isandhlwana was -reached: the camp therefore literally had its back to a wall. - -At six a.m. on the 22nd, a company of the Natal Natives was ordered to -scout towards the left, the enemy having appeared in that direction. -Whilst these were away Durnford arrived, about nine o'clock, with a -rocket battery under Colonel Russell, R.A., 250 mounted natives, and 250 -native foot. News was now brought in that the Zulus in very large -numbers were driving the pickets before them. A later messenger--a -native without uniform, supposed by some to be a Zulu purposely sent -with false intelligence--brought the news that the Zulus had divided -into three columns, one of which it was supposed was about to attack -Colonel Durnford's baggage, still on the road from Rorke's Drift, the -other to harass Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Glyn's party in their rear, -whilst the third was to hover round and watch the camp. Finally came the -news "Zulus retiring in all directions." Colonel Durnford thereupon -asked Colonel Pulleine to lend him a couple of the 24th companies, but -he declined, saying his orders were to guard the camp, and he could not, -under the circumstances, let them go without a positive command. -Durnford then determined to go on with his own force, which he divided -into three, one part being sent up the hill to the left (east), one to -the left front, and the third to the rear, in the direction of Rorke's -Drift, to act as an escort for the baggage not yet arrived. The rocket -battery was of the party that proceeded to the front under Colonel -Durnford in person, to a distance of four or five miles from the camp, -but being unable to keep pace with the mounted force was soon left -behind. - -The body of troops despatched to the left became engaged with the enemy -almost immediately, and firing was soon heard all along the crest of the -hill. In about an hour Durnford's mounted men re-appeared over the -hills, hotly pursued by swarms of Zulus; at the same time the horsemen -to the front were also driven back. These, after retiring steadily in -skirmishing order for about two miles, came upon the remains of the -rocket battery, which had been cut off and broken up, whilst a hand to -hand engagement was going on with those who remained. It appears that -Russell, whilst advancing with his battery, perceived a body of the -enemy on his left, he fired three rockets with some effect; then the -Zulus fired a volley, upon which the Native Contingent of infantry -retreated, the mules were frightened, and disorder ensued. Taking -advantage of this, the enemy charged down the hill, a _mêlée_ ensued, -and Russell was killed. As the mounted men retired towards them, the -Zulus retreated to their cover, and they, after making a final stand in -a spruit about a mile and a half in front of the camp, were eventually -driven in. - -As the cavalry on the left was being pushed rapidly back, Captain Mostyn -was ordered to advance with two companies of 1-24th on the eastern neck -of the Isandhlwana, where at a distance of about a mile and a half the -Zulus were advancing in large numbers along the north of the -Isandhlwana, to outflank the camp on the right, and with this wing of -the foe they at once became engaged. - -Meanwhile the Zulu left rapidly, and the centre steadily, though more -slowly, pushed forward, despite the artillery fire poured into them. -Orders were now given for three companies of the 1-24th to occupy ground -near the Native Contingent camp, facing the hill over which the Zulu -force was streaming. These three companies were supported to their right -front by the Natal Native Contingent. - -Immediately to the right of the Native Contingent tents came the guns, -at a distance of about four hundred yards from the left, and rather more -from the right, which was composed of two companies, 24th Regiment and -the Mounted Corps, and which occupied the extreme right of the camp and -rested on the road. The infantry, in extended order, were by this time -engaged along the whole line, and were firing rapidly and steadily. -Though the enemy fell in hundreds they kept advancing in apparently -undiminished numbers. As rank after rank of the foremost were swept down -others pressed on, till at length the companies of the 1-24th above -mentioned had been driven back to within 300 yards of that portion of -the camp occupied by the Native Contingent. A number of the native -infantry now began a hasty retreat to the camp; their officers -endeavoured to restrain them, but without effect. Captain Essex pointed -this out to Colonel Durnford, who ordered him to take men to that -portion of the field, and endeavour to hold the enemy in check. But -before this could be executed the natives rushed back in the utmost -disorder, thus laying open the right and rear of the companies of the -first battalion of the 24th on the left and rear, and the enemy dashing -forward at once poured in through this part of the line. In a moment all -was disorder, and but few had time to fix bayonets before the Zulus were -amongst them, using their assegais with terrible effect. Then followed a -scene of utter confusion; horse and foot, black and white, English and -Zulu, friend and foe, in a struggling, fighting crowd, pushed gradually -through the camp towards the road, where the Zulu right already barred -the way. Every man endeavoured to escape towards the Buffalo river, but -this was almost an impossibility even for mounted men. The ground was -rugged, broken with water-washes, boulder-strewn: ground over which an -active native Zulu could progress even faster than a horse. In front ran -the river, swift, deep, and fordless, sharp rocks, and deep water -alternating. Not half of those who escaped from the camp succeeded in -crossing this obstacle: many were drowned, many assegaied, some few -shot, and so the pursuit continued right into Natal. The guns moved from -right to left across the camp, and endeavoured to get on the Rorke's -Drift road. This being occupied by the enemy, they turned off to the -left, and coming to grief in a donga had to be abandoned. Major Smith, -though wounded, managed to reach the Buffalo, but was there shot. - -Lieuts. Melvill and Coghill, seeing all was lost, made an attempt to -escape on horseback with the colours of the 24th. Coghill succeeded in -getting safely across the Buffalo, but Melvill was struck by a shot just -as he was reaching the far bank of the river. Coghill, with heroic -devotion, turned back to assist his less fortunate comrade--alas! only -to share his fate. Their bodies were subsequently discovered in close -proximity, and around them a group of dead Zulus. The colours which they -had so desperately defended were also found in the bed of the river, -saved from the degradation of capture and contamination by the hands of -savages. - -In this sad affair there perished twenty-six Imperial officers and 600 -non-commissioned officers and men. The loss of the Colonial forces was -not less terrible, twenty-four officers being included in the list. - -The following is a detailed list of the victims of that sad -day:--1-24th, Col. Pulleine, Major White; Captains Degacher, Wardell, -Mostyn, Younghusband; Lieuts. Hodson, Cavaye, Atkinson, Daly, Anstey, -Porteous, Melvill, Quarter-Master Pullen, and five entire companies: -2-24th, Lieuts. Pope, Austin, Dyer, Griffiths, Quarter-Master -Bloomfield, and ninety men. Royal Engineers, Colonel Durnford, Lieut. -McDowell, Captain G. Shepstone (political assistant to Col. Durnford), -Lieut. Coghill, A.D.C. (to Sir Bartle Frere), Surgeon-Major Shepherd. -The Mounted Police Carabineers and Volunteers lost forty-three out of -seventy-one, including Captain Bradstreet, Lieut. F. J. D. Scott, and -Quarter-Master Hitchcock. The Mounted Infantry lost thirty out of -thirty-four. The N Battery 5th Brigade, Royal Artillery, under Major -Stuart Smith, was destroyed (Lieut. Curling escaped), as also the Rocket -Battery under Major Russell, R.A. 1st Battalion 3rd Regiment, N.N.C., -lost in officers, Captains Robert Krohn and James Lonsdale, Lieuts. -Avery, Holcraft, and Jameson; Surgeon F. Bull, Quarter-Master John -McCormick. 2nd Battalion 3rd Regiment, N.N.C., lost Captains Erskine, -Barry, and Murray; Lieuts. Pritchard, Young, Gibson, Standish Vereker, -and Rivers, Quarter-Master A. Chambers. The loss of material is put down -at 102 waggons, 1400 oxen, 2 guns, 400 shot and shell, 1200 rifles, -250,000 rounds of rifle ammunition, 60,000_l._ worth of commissariat -supplies, a rocket trough, and a number of tents. - -Four special-service officers, viz. Captain Alan Gardner, 14th Hussars -and Essex 75th Regiment, and Lieuts. Smith, Dorien, 95th, and Cochrane, -32nd, together with Lieut. Curling, R.A., succeeded in escaping, and -rode away to Helpmakaar, where a laager was immediately formed. The same -night, as no other messenger could be found, and it was feared Wood's -column might be cut off in rear, Captain Gardner started to give him -timely warning. Riding all night, he reached Utrecht about four o'clock -next day, thence despatching a messenger to Colonel Wood, he himself -returned to Helpmakaar. - -The following account is of great interest as having been given by a -Zulu deserter:-- - -"The Zulu army, consisting of the Ulundi corps about 3000 strong, the -Nokenke 2000, the Nkobamakosi, including the Uve, 5000 strong, the -Umcityu 4000 strong, the Nodwengu 2000 strong, the Umbonambi 3000, and -the Udkloko 1000--a total of 20,000 men in all--after an address from -the king left the Nodwengu military kraal on January 17th, and proceeded -on their march towards Rorke's Drift. On the 20th they halted for the -night close by the Isipezi hill, and on the 21st, keeping to the -eastward, they occupied a valley running north and south under the spurs -of the Ngutu hill, which concealed that of Isandhlwana, distant about -four miles nearly due west. The order of encampment was--on the right, -the Nodwengu, Nokenke and Umcityu; in the centre, the Nkobamakosi and -Umbonambi; on the left, the Ulundi and Udkloko corps. On the morning of -the 22nd there was no intention of making an attack on account of some -superstition as to the state of the moon, and they were sitting down -resting when firing was heard by the Zulus on the right. This was at -first supposed by them to be an attack on the centre, but a move being -made in that direction this proved not to be the case; and it was soon -found out that this was the whites engaged with Matyana's people some -ten miles off to the left front. Just after the Zulus had resumed their -position, and again sat down, a herd of cattle came past their line -driven down by some of their scouts from the right. Just when these were -opposite the Umcityu regiment a body of mounted men on the hill to the -west were seen galloping and evidently trying to cut them off. When -several hundred yards off, seeing the Umcityu, they dismounted, fired a -volley, and retired. The Umcityu at once jumped up and charged. This -example was followed by the Nokenke and Nodwengu on the right, as well -as by the Nkobamakosi and Umbonambi in the centre, whilst the Undi and -Udkloko formed a circle--as is customary with the Zulus when a force is -about to engage--and remained in their position. With these were the two -chief officers Mavamingwana and Tyugwayo, who after a short pause led -away these centre troops in a north-westerly direction, and keeping to -the north of the Isandhlwana performed a turning movement, unseen by the -English through the nature of the ground. Thus the original Zulu left -became the extreme right, the right the centre, and the centre the left. -The two regiments forming the latter--the Nkobamakosi and -Umbonambi--made a turning movement along the front of the camp to the -English right, but became engaged before they could complete it. The Uve -battalion of the Nkobamakosi had to retire till reinforced; and the -Umbonambi suffered heavily from the artillery fire. Meanwhile the Zulu -centre, consisting of the Umcityu (left centre) and Nokenke and -Nodwengu (higher up on the right) under the hill, were making a direct -attack on the left of the camp. The Umcityu suffered very severely from -both artillery and musketry fire; the Nokenke from musketry fire alone; -while the Nodwengu suffered least. When the camp was carried the -regiments became all mixed up together; some pursued the fugitives to -the Buffalo; the remainder plundered the camp: but the Undi and Udkloko -made the best of their way to Rorke's Drift, in order to plunder the -post there." - -It is now time to turn attention to the remainder of the troops that had -left the camp before this sad event occurred. - -The force under Colonel Glyn, accompanied by Lord Chelmsford, moved off -at early dawn, and had reached Major Dartnell by 6.15 a.m. The General -at once took command, and ordered out scouting parties of mounted men to -gain intelligence of the positions and strength of the enemy, who soon -after showed in some force on the opposing heights parallel to the -Inhlazatye Mountains. A general advance of the troops was made, and the -enemy retired slowly, but without firing. The guns and 24th Regiment -meanwhile moved up the valley, their left being protected by the Mounted -Infantry, while the Mounted Police and Volunteers guarded the right -flank. The main body of the enemy drew back in regular order and took up -a position with great skill on the spurs of the Isipisi Mountain, -distant about six miles, but Captain Shepstone, with his Natal -Carabineers, managed to cut off about 300 of the stragglers and -destroyed fifty of them. At nine a.m. a messenger, whose horse was -panting and covered with foam, arrived before Colonel Glyn with a brief -despatch from Colonel Pulleine, notifying that musketry firing was heard -on the left front of the camp. Lord Chelmsford at once sent a staff -officer, Lieutenant Milne, to an eminence from whence the camp and -valley of Insalwana could be seen, and it seems that a delay of an hour -took place while this officer was vainly scanning the horizon. The -actual scene of conflict where Colonel Durnford was engaged with the -Zulu army was five miles away, and hidden by some hills intervening -between Lord Chelmsford's position and the British camp. The General, -therefore, seems to have felt no apprehensions in regard to the safety -of the camp, and continued his operations against the supposed main body -of the Zulus. - -About two o'clock Lord Chelmsford was on the banks of the Amange stream, -selecting a fit spot for a camp, he having already in the morning sent -Captain Gardner back to Colonel Pulleine with an order to that officer -to forward the camping materials of the party out on reconnaissance. -While thus engaged a native on horseback galloped down from the opposite -ridge saying that an attack was being made on the camp, and that he had -seen heavy firing and heard the big guns. Lord Chelmsford immediately -hastened to the crest of the hill, whence through a glass the camp could -be plainly seen. All, however, seemed quiet: the sun was shining on the -white tents; no signs of firing were seen, and the bodies of men moving -about in the camp were put down to be English soldiers and friendly -natives. Knowing how careful were his dispositions and how positive his -orders for the defence of the camp, one and all of Lord Chelmsford's -escort came to the conclusion that an attack had been made and repulsed. -It was then decided that the headquarters camp should move to the spot -selected on the Amange stream, whilst the General himself, who was -anxious to know the details of the attack, should proceed back to camp. -The Carabineers and the Mounted Infantry accompanied him: the 1st -battalion 24th Regiment, the four guns, the Mounted Police and 2nd -battalion of 3rd Regiment Native Contingent were left to form the new -camp. During the first seven miles of the journey nothing occurred to -excite the General's suspicion. Certainly some of the tents had -disappeared, but then this was in accordance with the orders given in -the morning. When about four miles from the camp he fell in with the -Natal Native Contingent, which had been ordered to return many hours -previously, but which seeing the camp attacked by forces superior to its -own had wisely halted. In about half-an-hour they were met by a solitary -horseman coming at a foot pace from the direction of the camp. -Commandant Lonsdale, for it was he, rode up to the General and uttered -the astounding words "The camp is in possession of the enemy." It -appears that Lonsdale, who had been ill, being very tired was quietly -returning from Glyn's column to the camp. He had crossed the small -water-wash to the south of the camp and was jogging slowly along in a -sort of lethargy, from which he was roused by the discharge of a rifle -close to him. Looking up, he saw a native, who had evidently just fired, -and him he imagined to be one of his own contingent indulging in -reckless firing; so he pursued his way. Sitting in and around the tents -were groups of red-coats, so he still kept on till within a bare ten -yards of the tents. He then saw a great black Zulu come out of one with -a blood-besmeared assegai in his hand. Gazing more carefully, he saw -that black men, and black men only, were the wearers of the red-coats. -The truth flashed on him: turning his pony sharp round he galloped off -before the enemy knew what he was about. Not less than 150 shots were -fired at him as he did so, but, providentially, he escaped to warn the -General, who, without such warning, his staff and troops with him, would -have walked unsuspiciously into the trap, and the whole force would -probably have perished to a man. - -The General at once sent back to hurry up Colonel Glyn and his force, -while Colonel Russell was sent on to reconnoitre the camp, which was -found to be as Commandant Lonsdale had reported. On Colonel Glyn's -arrival the whole force was disposed in fighting order, and moved -rapidly across the plain, but could not arrive in the vicinity of the -camp until after dark. All was found a wreck--corpses, broken tents, -dead horses, oxen, and other _débris_ were strewed around; and the men, -most of whom were without ammunition, and had not tasted food for -forty-eight hours, were ordered to bivouac amidst the crowd of -blood-stained relics which marked the day's slaughter. Our soldiers had -covered more than thirty miles on the previous day without food or -ammunition, and if resolutely attacked by the entire force of Zulus -might have shared the fate of their comrades. The next morning, -therefore, before daylight a sad retreat was effected to Rorke's Drift, -where the first glad tidings were heard of the glorious defence which -had been made by Chard and Bromhead, with their handful of men. - -It came about thus. Lieutenant Chard, with one sergeant and six men, had -been left in charge of the ponts over the Tugela at this point. Close by -was a commissariat depôt in charge of Lieutenant Bromhead and a company -of the 24th Regiment. About three o'clock on January 22nd news of the -disaster at Isandhlwana reached this officer, together with a note, -saying that the enemy were advancing in force against his post, which -was to be held at all costs. Chard immediately withdrew his small party, -and in concert with Bromhead arranged for the loopholing and barricading -the store-building and hospital, and for connecting the defences of the -two by building walls of mealie-bags. At 3.30 an officer of Durnford's -Horse with about 100 men came in, and was asked to send them out as -vedettes; these, when pressed, to fall back and assist in the defence of -the buildings. At 4.30 this officer returned with the news that the -enemy was close at hand, that his men would not obey orders, but had -galloped off to Helpmakaar. About the same time Captain Stephenson and -his detachment of natives also withdrew. It was at once perceived that -the line of defence was now too extended for the small force left, and -an inner entrenchment of biscuit-boxes was made, and this had been -completed to a wall two boxes high, when suddenly 600 of the enemy -turned the hill to the south. They advanced at a run against the -southern wall, and notwithstanding a tremendous fire reached to within -fifty yards of it. Being here encountered by a cross-fire from the store -they were stopped. Taking advantage, however, of some shelter afforded -by the cookhouse and ovens, they kept up heavy musketry volleys thence, -whilst the main body moved on to the left round the hospital, whence -they made a rush upon the north-west wall and breastwork of mealie-bags. -Meanwhile the mass of the advancing foe lined a ledge of rocks and -filled the caves overlooking the English position at a distance of 100 -yards to the south, whence they too kept up a constant fire. Another -party to the left occupied a garden in a hollow in the road, and also -the bush beyond, which time had not permitted to be cut down. The enemy -could thus advance close to the English works, and were soon in -possession of one whole side of the wall, whilst on the other in a line -extending from the hospital all along the wall to the bush they made a -series of determined onsets. But each attack was met and splendidly -repulsed with the bayonet, Corporal Schiess (N.N.C.) especially -distinguishing himself. The fire from the ledge of rock and caves at -length became so galling, that it was necessary to retire behind the -inner line of biscuit-boxes. - -All this time the enemy had been trying to force the hospital, and at -length they did set fire to the roof. The garrison defended the place -room by room, bringing out all the sick who could be moved before they -retired. Privates Williams, Hook, R. Jones, and W. Jones, 24th Regiment, -were the last to leave, holding the doorway against the Zulus with their -bayonets, their ammunition being quite expended. Five sick men, owing to -the smoke and want of interior communication, had unfortunately to be -left to their fates. Two heaps of mealie-bags were now converted into a -sort of redoubt, and a second line of fire was thus obtained all round. -Darkness now came on, and after several more furious attacks had been -repulsed the defenders had ultimately to retire to the middle, and then -to the inner wall of the kraal, east of the position they had at first -held. The attacks continued all night, the soldiers firing with the -utmost coolness, and never wasting a shot. At four a.m., January 23rd, -firing ceased, and by daybreak the enemy were disappearing over the hill -to the south-west. The ground was then patrolled, the arms of the dead -Zulus collected, and the position strengthened as far as possible. About -seven a.m. a large body of the enemy was again seen on the hill to the -south-west, and a friendly Kaffir, who had come in shortly before, was -sent to Helpmakaar to ask for assistance. However, about eight a.m. the -British 3rd column began to appear, whereupon the enemy, who had been -again advancing, fell back as the troops advanced, and Rorke's Drift -Post had been saved. - -The number of English engaged in this action was eight officers and 131 -non-commissioned officers and men; of these fifteen were killed and -twelve wounded, two subsequently dying of their hurts. The attacking -Zulu force consisted of two regiments--the Undi and Udkloko--in all a -total of something less than 4000. Of these 370 lay dead around the post -on the morning that Lord Chelmsford so opportunely arrived. - -Surgeon Reynolds, Acting Commissary Officer Dalton, and Assistant -Commissary Dunne were throughout conspicuous for their gallantry and -coolness. Lieutenants Chard, R.E., and Bromhead, 24th Regiment, -subsequently received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for their -heroic conduct, and were advanced to the rank of majors. - -So much has been said and written as to the cause of, and so many people -have been held responsible for the Isandhlwana disaster that the subject -cannot here be passed over in silence. - -The living no less than the dead have a claim to a full share of justice -and truth; but remembering that the mouths of one party--"les morts qui -ne reviennent pas"--are closed, we should be extremely careful in -drawing any conclusion from acts which, could the testimony of the -fallen be obtained, it would not only explain and excuse, but amply -justify. - -The court of inquiry held at Helpmakaar found itself unable to form from -the available evidence any positive judgment; but the facts disclosed -point irresistibly to a negative conclusion. Had the troops acted on the -defensive, the camp would not have been lost. - -Still there may have been cogent--nay irresistible reasons which caused -Colonel Durnford to push forward his forces. Were Colonel Pulleine -alive, he might give equally good reasons for acceding to Durnford's -urgent request and sending out the reinforcements. - -The British regular infantry advanced successfully, retired slowly and -in unbroken order; they were still firing rapidly, coolly, and with -great effect. Things though desperate were by no means hopeless. -Suddenly the native levies, "though their officers tried to restrain -them, rushed back in the utmost disorder," thus exposing the flank and -rear of the regulars. "Few of the men had time to fix bayonets before -the enemy were amongst them, using their assegais with terrible effect." -Here is the answer to "How did it happen?" The natives on one side--the -Zulu--were regarded too lightly; on the other, fighting for the English -with too great confidence. "Why," it will be asked, "were not the -waggons laagered? Whose duty was it to see this done?" Lord Chelmsford -had issued a standing order at the very commencement of the campaign, -that this was to be the first consideration in all camps. Lord -Chelmsford, accompanied Colonel Glyn from Rorke's Drift, saw the site -chosen at Isandhlwana, and then immediately started on a reconnaissance -which lasted till after nightfall. Doubtless Lord Chelmsford supposed -Colonel Glyn had done what was necessary. On the following morning with -the first streak of dawn Colonel Glyn was ordered to proceed to Major -Dartnell's assistance, and Lord Chelmsford determined to accompany him, -after despatching an express to Colonel Durnford ordering him up "to -strengthen the camp." Doubtless Colonel Glyn supposed that Colonel -Pulleine would see to laagering the waggons. Colonel Pulleine was in -command of the camp a bare three hours, and doubtless, knowing how brief -his tenure of office was to be, preferred to let things remain as they -were till his successor's arrival. Colonel Durnford had not been a -single half-hour in camp before the action was commenced. - -It is asked why did not the troops form squares? Hastings, we are told, -had Harold's men only remained in their position, would have been a -Saxon victory--Torres Vedras a disgrace instead of a glory had the -British troops been rashly taunted into leaving their trenches: and -Waterloo a more glowing theme for Beranger's lyre had Napoleon been able -to entice the patient English squares to forsake their adamantine -formation. But why was Colonel Durnford to form squares? How was he to -imagine that such an immense force was arrayed against him when the -Commander-in-chief had with him a superior force to that left in the -camp avowedly to operate against the enemy's main body? For such his -information and personal observation led him to believe was the force -against whom he and Major Dartnell were acting. - -Colonel Durnford was no novice in South African war; like Cæsar, he had -the gift of the pen no less than the sword; he had both written and -fought well. Colonel Pulleine was an experienced officer of no mean -reputation, and by whatever device they were deceived, we may be sure -that it was no ordinary one, and that few would have stood where they -fell. - -Again, who could have anticipated the attack? We have it from the lips -of a Zulu that the onset was unpremeditated, and the result of accident. -With all humbleness, let it be confessed that-- - - "Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well - When our deep plots do fail; and that should teach us - There's a divinity that shapes our ends - Rough hew them as we will." - -Another question, often asked, is, "Why did not Lord Chelmsford, -immediately on his return, make a counter-attack on the enemy." First of -all he had to wait for Colonel Glyn and the main body to come up to -him. Meanwhile darkness had come on. When Glyn arrived he did advance -with his troops formed up for action, and with the intention of -re-taking the camp, which he had every reason to suppose was occupied by -the enemy. The event proved they had abandoned it. Was not this a good -reason for striking a blow? Let the facts of the case be well borne in -mind. Lord Chelmsford knew that there was a large force in his rear; the -force that had sacked the camp was supposed, and reasonably enough, to -be on the right flank. In front were the bright watchfires of another -force, and the blazing hospital at Rorke's Drift, which, together with -Helpmakaar, there was every ground to believe had been captured and -looted by the foe; in a word, his force was surrounded. The men had only -fifty rounds of ammunition apiece; they had been twenty-four hours -without food; they were physically exhausted by eighteen hours' -continuous marching, and no less morally by the loss of their camp; -their probabilities of escape were distant. How could a general lead -troops in such a condition against a foe flushed and elated with spoil -and recent victory? - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - Ekowe described--The fort--Guard for the frontier--Raid on - Dabulamanzi's Kraal--Another raid--Life in Ekowe--Wood at Potter's - Kraal--Capture of Baglusini--Skirmish and capture of - cattle--Destruction of Manyanyoba Kraal--Colonel Rowlands--Capture - of Makatees Kop--Junction with Wood--Camp at Kambula--Coming in of - Oham--Disaster at Intombi Drift--Death of Moriarty--Rescue of Oham's - wives and people--Events that led to the attack on Umbelini--The - Zlobani--The attack--Details--Death of Campbell--Narrow escape of - Wood--Death of Weatherly--St. Helena and H.M.S. "Shah." - - -We must now return to Pearson, whom we left entrenching himself at -Ekowe. - -The position is a most commanding one, being almost on the summit of the -Tyoe range, and more than 2000 feet above the sea level; and for beauty -of site could scarcely be surpassed. To the north, about a mile and a -half, is the Umlalazi river, at that time rather full from the late -rains, and beyond this stream are long undulating grassy plains, almost -devoid of bush, with the exception here and there of a few wild and -dwarf date-palms, and lichens in the hollows. Behind, to the south, is -the Umkukusi range, and a hilly but open country, while on the west is a -very broken and difficult country, bounded by the Hintza forest. Away to -the east, right to the coast at Port Durnford, is about forty miles of -undulating and here and there hilly country. About 1200 yards to the -south-east there is a rocky eminence at least 600 feet higher than the -fort, and from this place a magnificent view of Port Durnford and the -mouth of the Umlalazi can be seen. The sea is not more than twenty-two -miles off, in a line as the crow flies. The original building was -formerly a Norwegian mission station, and when the present war began it -was abandoned by the missionaries and plundered by the Zulus. The -buildings, when Pearson arrived, consisted of three moderately-sized -brick erections, thatched originally with straw, but subsequently -covered with a less inflammable material. In addition to these -buildings, which were utilized as stores, there was a small church, -built of the native-made sun-dried bricks, and covered, as most of these -edifices are in that country, with corrugated galvanized iron. The -church was turned into an hospital, while the tower made a capital -look-out, from whence could be seen the next post, and which afterwards -proved of such service in the way of signalling. Pearson now began to -suffer the inconveniences of a regular siege; his communications were -cut, and it was found that of the twelve messengers belonging to the -Natal Native Contingent sent from Ekowe with letters during the first -week in February, only one arrived, the others having been intercepted -and killed on their way. The fort soon completely changed its character -under the incessant labour bestowed upon it by Pearson's men, under the -vigilant supervision of their chief. It now became a six-angled -enclosure, about sixty yards wide, having a ditch eighteen feet in -depth, while its breadth was twelve feet. At the bottom it was studded -profusely with assegai heads securely planted, and the parapets, -carefully rivetted, were proof not only against any musketry fire, but -field artillery. From its southern angles ran out two well-built curtain -walls, enclosing a fine kraal for cattle and horses. These curtains were -well protected by the fire of the angles from which they sprung, while -the kraal itself had its own massive gateway and drawbridge. At the end -of the kraal, or cattle enclosure, furthest from the angular fort, was -constructed from the remains of a dilapidated magazine, a kind of -irregular redoubt, which also had a deep ditch and thick mud walls, -defended by a quantity of powerful thorns laid along the parapet. It was -most fortunate that this force brought with them a large supply of -well-selected entrenching tools, consisting of shovels, picks, spades, -billhooks, axes, and crowbars. Day by day, whenever their time could be -spared from patrol and outpost duty, the men were employed in making -entanglements of rows of felled trees, as well as constructing fascines, -filling sandbags, turning out gabions, loopholes, and _abattis_. All -these obstacles possessed the usual requisites. They were under the -close fire of the fort, were covered from the enemy's fire, and gave him -no cover; while they were all made so substantially that they could not -be cut down or removed without immense difficulty. The piquet duties -were rather severe, and each piquet had to furnish two or three double -sentries in reliefs, patrols, and links. They were posted under the best -circumstances obtainable, being sheltered from the enemy, having a good -range in front, with every advantage in retreating if attacked in force. -Each face or front of the fort was cleared up to 800 yards; shelter -trenches were made for the first line of defence; cover was left for the -supports and reserves; ranges were marked and measures taken for the -artillery and rifle fire, and all precautionary arrangements made in -regard to the supply and storage of provisions, forage, water, and -ammunition. - -The water was good, and not brackish at that time of the year. It was -taken from a bright stream well under the fire of the fort, and fed by a -capital spring, also under fire of one of the seven-pounders. The church -and the storehouses were also carefully loopholed, and sandbags -furnished to make the defences more secure. These three strong loopholed -buildings, forming part of the _enceinte_, were rendered more formidable -by double planking, backed crossways by iron barrel hoops, while fine, -damp, heavy sand from the neighbouring hill was employed in filling -bags, made from old provision sacks. - -Every man in the fort had his proper place assigned to him, and at -exercise it was found that with three minutes' notice each detachment -was in its place. The Buffs were told off to the two northern faces, on -which side there was a well-made _caponnière_ thrown up in the -re-entering angle. At the west angle of this fort one gun and a -detachment of the Royal Artillery were posted, while on the east salient -were two guns and a somewhat stronger number of men. Here there was a -small outlet for water-parties, guarded on the flank by a little -loopholed building, and commanded in the rear by a strong building with -a thatched roof. The rocket tubes were placed under charge of the Royal -Marines, on the south-west front, and could, if necessary, sweep the -trek oxen laager, and slaughter oxen laager outside the fort on that -side. The principal gateway was on the west face, and was guarded by a -company of the Buffs, who loopholed the church tower in their rear to -fall back upon, and to act as a commanding flanking fire. The front, -facing due south, was served by the 99th, with one gun at the salient -angle, a _caponnière_ in the centre, guarded by a Gatling, and with a -thirteen feet stockade at the opposing angle. Another strong building, -also thatch roof, commanded this front. Not a day passed but some -improvement was made in strengthening these works, and this as much for -prudence against possible attack, as to keep the men occupied and free -from the lassitude attendant upon long confinement. It should also be -mentioned that torpedoes had been laid down by the bluejackets for three -miles along the bed of the Tugela, so that if the Zulus attempted to -cross near any of the posts of observation they might be somewhat -astonished. - -The ration daily used to be two pounds of beef--fresh killed and tough -as leather--a couple of commissariat biscuits--hard as flint--a very -small complement of coffee or tea, sugar, and one spoonful of lime -juice, which every man had to take whether he liked it or not; preserved -potatoes, compressed vegetables, and an occasional ration of beans, made -a little variety now and then. During the last days of the siege the -meat and biscuit ration was reduced. A day's routine was as -follows:--The men rose with the _réveille_ at four a.m. for a parade of -all hands and fatigue duties for a couple of hours, weather permitting: -the breakfast bugle sounded at eight, and fatigues were again performed -from 9.30 till noon; dinner bugle at 1.30, and rest and recreation till -4.30, and finally "retreat" at 6.30, when no one was to be outside the -walls. The men amused themselves with quoits, cricket, and athletics, -some of the Buffs being good "all round;" while all the officers, -especially the colonel, encouraged these pastimes by example as well as -precept. After all, the life was not more monotonous than that on board -ship. There was no lack of ammunition, as Colonel Ely on march to Ekowe -had to abandon only ten waggons, and these were looted. The rest, -however, arrived safely. The garrison also from time to time received -valuable and most reassuring information regarding the disposition and -whereabouts of their friends along the line of the Tugela, and in their -rear. At Fort Pearson, which might be said to be the principal base of -operations, and which commanded the river and lower drift from the Natal -side, there were sufficient men of the Naval Brigade to work the two -guns there. They had also the European officers and the non-commissioned -officers of the disbanded native corps. Then, to keep up communications, -the Mounted Volunteers of Coast District were posted at intervals along -the river, between Fort Pearson and Kranz Kop. Another fort on the Zulu -bank of the Tugela was called "Fort Tenedos," in compliment to the -detachment which formed its garrison. Major Barrow, with a squadron of -mounted infantry, and Lieutenant Kingscote, with a smart body of -marines and bluejackets, formed the defensive force. At Rorke's Drift -there were now five companies of the 2nd battalion of the 24th Regiment. -A strongly entrenched position had also been formed on a commanding site -called Macdonald's Farm, on a rocky eminence overlooking the Tugela. -Ditches ten feet deep were cut, parapets seven feet high thrown up, the -farmhouse itself strengthened, and all the garden walls loopholed. The -garrison consisted of the Stanger Mounted Rifles, and some native -auxiliaries, who proved most trustworthy as scouts and messengers. -Captain Lucas, whose admirable powers of organization were quite -proverbial amongst the colonists, and whose frontier experiences were of -long standing, was strongly posted at a bend of the river between the -farm and Thring's Post, and had with him a useful body of natives. -Thring's Post came next on the list, and here there were a couple of -hundred of well-mounted and well-armed volunteers divided into -squadrons, or corps of fifty men. Thring's Post is on the Imyamazana -Mountain, and is about twenty-seven miles from Fort Pearson. The -volunteers, knowing the country well, were employed in keeping up by -constant patrols communications with Fort Pearson and Fort Cherry. - -News also reached them that Wood had been reinforced, and was more than -holding his own. There was, therefore, little anxiety felt for the -security of the frontier, and everything strengthened Colonel Pearson in -his determination to remain in his position instead of attempting to cut -his way out. - -The health of the Ekowe garrison continued very good. The hospital, it -has been said, was the old church of the mission-station. At the end of -the second week in March there were only twenty-five men on the -sick-list, and many of these almost convalescent. They had, however, -lost two of their number lately, namely, poor Williams of the Buffs, and -another great favourite, young Coker, the mid-shipman, who fought his -Gatling so well at Inyanezi. Both these fine fellows were ill but a -short time, and succumbed to fever. They were buried with the usual -honours just outside the fort. - -Lieutenant Rowden, 98th Regiment, who was nominated by Colonel Pearson -commander of the mounted scouts, performed his difficult and dangerous -task to perfection. He had by the end of February successfully explored -the country in the direction of the Isangweni military kraal, which was -not far from Ondini, and about three miles from Ekowe. He reported that -there were 1500 men there, and more collecting. The 1500 were composed -of the married regiment Isangu, whose average age is fifty-four, and -whose services in former wars had been most distinguished. The country -between the fort and Isangweni was an undulating table-land, running -parallel to the forests on either side, and admirably suited for -cavalry. Another brother of Cetywayo, named Dabulamanzi, had a fortified -kraal not far from that of Isangweni, and Pearson determined to attack -both those places as soon as he was in a position to move upon them. - -The second week of March had now come to an end, and it was deemed -advisable to vary the monotony of life in the fort by one or two -offensive expeditions. The most important of these, both as to the -numbers engaged and its effects, was the foray on Dabulamanzi's kraal. -The forces detailed for this expedition consisted of fifty men of the -Buffs, the same number of the 99th, and twenty-five of the Naval -Brigade, with their Gatling, and a small body of mounted scouts, under -the active Lieutenant Rowden (98th). Starting about five a.m., the party -descended the slopes that led to the river, and continued its march -along a valley running north-east, and gradually narrowing. The track in -some places was crossed by difficult spruits, and was scarcely defined; -but their guides were well acquainted with the landmarks, although the -pathways were often obliterated by thorns and bush. The track was also -frequently commanded by spurs and bluffs projecting overhead, but these -were carefully explored by the mounted men, and no enemy could be seen. -A considerable watershed was reached about eight miles from Ekowe, and -here, in a favourable and secluded position, was made the first -off-saddle for half an hour. The country about here was entirely denuded -of fodder, but the horsemen had been fortunately directed to bring a few -mealies for their mounts. On resuming the march they crossed the bottom -of a deep sandy nullah with very precipitous sides, which they were -forced to follow, as it was the only practicable track. About a mile and -a half further on the advanced patrols sent back to inform the officer -of the main body that there was a camping-ground or temporary kraal -about three miles and a half north, where there was sufficient water and -grass. The orders were therefore given to push on for this point, and in -about forty-five minutes it was reached. It was now sundown, and their -chief, having decided that it was inexpedient to march during the -night, orders were issued for the usual precautions to be taken, and to -bivouac till daybreak. - -During the night, however, no one slept, as they had several alarms, and -it became evident from certain indications known to the experienced in -Zulu camping-out, that they were being reconnoitred by the enemy, though -in all probability not in sufficient force to deliver an attack. As, -however, it was quite possible that messengers would be despatched to -the neighbouring kraals, it was deemed advisable to strengthen the -position, in case of their being surrounded before the morning. Taking -one of the guides, who said he knew the neighbourhood, from having -frequently hunted here, one of the officers and a couple of men were -sent to make a reconnaissance round the bivouac. This party at once -started without making any noise, and entering on the old watercourse -worked their way up towards the summit of the kloof. Large, indeed -enormous, blocks of stone were lying about in various directions, and -the water during the heavy rains had so far worked its way among these -rocks that several hollows were scooped out so as to form caves large -enough to hold one or two human beings. These places had evidently been -recently occupied, remains of mealies and the charred wood of a recent -fire indicating the use to which the shelter had been applied. Ascending -the kloof still farther, and keeping well under cover of the bush, these -scouts walked along what at first seemed an old war-path, and this being -examined it was evident that it had been worn by human beings, and not -long since. On following this path, it led to a small piece of -table-land not much larger than an ordinary mess-tent or marquee, and -this platform was formed by a solid piece of rock rising, not unlike the -Pieter Bot at Mauritius, to a couple of hundred feet above where the -explorers were standing. To the eye of a soldier the place was -impregnable, and as the scouts scanned the country round by the fitful -gleams of occasional moonlight they saw that twenty well-armed and -steady men could hold the rock against an army. The face of the rock had -been scooped out, and, either by time or human labour, a sort of cave or -shelter afforded additional protection. Upon leaving the rock and -descending the ravine to carry the intelligence to the column in -bivouac, these patrols were startled to see the outlines of several dark -figures moving in the neighbouring bush. Making all possible speed, -therefore, the messengers hurried back, and at the news received every -man stood to his arms. They had not long to wait, for the enemy soon -appeared, drawn out in clear relief against the grey of the early dawn, -which was now coming on. Bodies of Zulus on the opposite ridges, which -could not have been seen lower down, were now observed, while a few -cattle were being rapidly hurried away in the distance. The Zulu scouts -were evidently puzzled at the white men's proceedings, the more so as -before leaving the kop one of the guides had tied his handkerchief to an -overhanging branch, thus giving the enemy the idea that a detachment had -been left to occupy the post. This error on the part of their -antagonists served the troops materially, as, by hurrying forward at a -quick pace, they were enabled to gain the kop, and with some -considerable difficulty get their Gatling to the summit. Their horses, -of course, could not ascend, but halfway up there was an excellent -position, where grass and water were found, and here the animals were -tethered in the usual manner--by the head and knee. When daylight -enabled them to examine the surrounding country with field-glasses, they -could see the neighbouring kraals of the chief Dabulamanzi and his -neighbour, Ungakamatue, and it was evident that the alarm had been -given. Several extraordinary movements attracted their attention. Armed -bodies of natives were seen to be leaving the villages in various -directions, as if going upon messages of importance. Aware of the -celerity of movement of the Zulus, and the enormous distances their -soldiers can cover in a few hours, this activity was not reassuring, as -it was concluded that reinforcements were being sent for, for the -purpose of intercepting the retreat to the fort of Ekowe. The English -commander, however, was not long in choosing his plan of operations. It -would never do to sustain a siege on the rock or kop, which, however -defensible if provisioned, was sure to be taken by starvation in the -long-run. The Dabulamanzi kraal had evidently been weakened by the -absence of men harvesting, and it did not seem more than a mile from -where the troops were. One of the guides remembered a cattle-track -which, by a circuitous route, led back on the eastern side to Ekowe, and -as the road they had arrived by was certain to be now ambushed, it was -deemed advisable to make a dash at the kraal, and return with what spoil -they could obtain in the new direction. Having cut some long canes, some -of the soldiers fixed them securely between the ledges of the rocks, -and attached to them some coloured clothes, which they hoped would lead -to the belief that they still occupied the kop. These precautions having -been taken, the troops moved silently down through the dense bushes on -the reverse side of the cliff, and succeeded in getting away without -being observed by the Zulus, who evidently seemed principally anxious -about their cattle. Part of the mounted force went in front to explore -the bush, while the rest remained in rear to follow and reconnoitre. On -coming again to the valley, they moved still more rapidly until they -came to a little rise, which, on surmounting, they found led to a deep -kloof, the mouth of which was almost closed by the proximity of the -hills, on either side rising to about 600 feet in height. These -curious-looking hills appeared to be a series of ledges of rocks, with -lines of dykes--probably of volcanic origin--cropping up, and forming -the most natural-looking breastworks, behind which a determined party of -men might destroy any attacking party. Having waited to collect the tail -of the column, they descended the rise, and sending out a few men to -scout on the ridge skirting the hill on their right, the commander led -the main body under cover of this range towards the mouth of the kloof, -which the guides said was the main entrance to the kraal. When about 200 -yards from the mouth of the gorge, the enemy commenced firing upon the -advanced files from behind a formidable-looking dyke, and seeing that -one of the horses had been badly wounded in the quarter, an officer sent -up a dozen men to the top of the range to extend as a covering party. -These had barely been posted in a good position, when a perfect shower -of bullets fell amongst the main body, the only casualty being, however, -one man struck by an almost spent bullet. It being thus seen that they -were out of range as far as any material injury could be effected, the -men were directed to keep moving along the flank, while the Buffs -advanced along the valley in a parallel line, closing to their centres -as they neared the mouth of the kloof. At the same time, the men of the -Naval Brigade (twenty-five) were detached with their Gatling towards the -foot of the left-hand hill, to see if there was a path by which the -kraal could be taken in reverse. This left-hand hill seemed to be the -key of the position, as it looked down upon the kraal itself. The 99th -were all this time held in reserve to prevent the troops being taken in -reverse should the enemy's reinforcements come up. While the English -were effecting these movements the Zulus, whose forces did not seem to -be augmenting, kept up what would have been a hot cross-fire had they -been armed with Martinis, but which was perfectly innocuous at 700 -yards. - -A bugle-call now gave notice to the skirmishers to close in, and when -this was effected the mounted men dashed through the kloof, followed by -the Buffs and the 99th at the double. The Naval Brigade meanwhile was -seen working its way in the most energetic manner round the left flank -and ready to effect a junction with the others at the foot of the mound -on which stood the outer defences of the kraal. A general stampede of -men, women, and cattle now took place, the soldiers being specially -warned not to fire at the two latter, and only at the former in return. -In ten minutes the outer and inner circles of the kraal were fired, -care having been taken to see that no living creature was hidden within. -As the Zulus generally store their mealies (Indian corn) underground in -the cattle enclosures, there was not time to look for any supplies, but -they managed to carry off a few large packages which were found in two -huts, as well as some millet (Kaffir corn). They also collected all the -cattle they could find, not many having been left, and getting them -together in the centre of the column, moved away by the path mentioned -by their guides. These movements were conducted so quickly, that they -were on the homeward march within half an hour of the time they had -entered the kraal. About half a mile from the kraal the kloof separated -into two narrow gullies, the ledges of rock between them being -inaccessible, and as it was known that these paths made a junction some -two miles on, it was decided to use them both, to enable the troops to -march more quickly. The Buffs accordingly took one trek, and the 99th -detachment the other, both uniting again without any casualty later on. -The English attack was undoubtedly a complete surprise, inasmuch as the -bulk of the people belonging to the kraal were away, and could not be -recalled in time to defend their village. Had the British column -possessed a larger force of mounted men, they could have intercepted and -carried back the cattle which they saw the attendants driving off. As it -was, however, it was not safe or prudent to risk the chances of -communications with the fort being cut off by delaying to pursue these -animals. - -The column had made good about ten miles of the return march when they -discovered that their retreat had been found out; straight in front of -them also were wooded krantzes and dark ravines, where an army of Zulus -might have been concealed, but pioneers having been sent out reported -that all was safe in that direction. Upon this they used the utmost -speed to gain the friendly covert, as they saw that if pursued there was -the best chance of eluding the vigilance of their enemies; or if unable -to do this, they would have the opportunity of fighting them to the best -advantage. As the troops moved quickly on, they entered the forest and -lost sight of the Zulus, who seemed in force, and were apparently -retracing their steps for some mysterious object. They were not, -however, kept long in doubt as to their proceedings, for upon sending on -scouts to an eminence where they could see without being seen, it was -found that the whole Zulu force, apparently some 2000 strong, was upon -the crest of the hill over which they had passed. An advanced party of -skirmishers were running very rapidly, their shields held aloft, and -their assegais waving over their heads. They had discovered the trick -played upon them, and the ruse of the coloured cloths planted upon the -kop. When, however, they could not discover the spoor upon the direct -trek by which the English party had come, they lost a considerable -amount of time in casting about to make out their real direction. At -last, however, when crossing a bit of open veldt, the keen-sighted Zulus -observed their cattle being carried away, at least five miles from them. -The rage of the pursuers, and their contempt for the marching qualities -of British soldiers--compared to their own speed and powers of -endurance--no doubt made them confident of overtaking them; but the -latter had little apprehension of the result, even if this were -effected. They knew that as soon as their foes came within range, they -could pick them off at 1000 or 1200 yards, and the little column had -been specially furnished with several crack marksmen to whom this -distance was no difficulty. They continued their march therefore -steadily, and did not abandon the cattle, which, strange to say, gave -little trouble, and were kept at a good pace by some of the mounted men, -whose anticipation of a full beef ration on their return, from the -spoil, made them doubly zealous in their duties. In about an hour the -Zulus had gained considerably upon them; they were imprudent enough to -move in close order. The evening was, however, now drawing on, and in -another hour the troops should be under the guns of the fort. A mist, -which had been for some time hanging about the streams and the kloof, -prevented the exact progress of the pursuers being seen, but the pursued -were not long without intimation of their whereabouts. The rear-guard -were attracted, when about three miles from the fort, by what seemed to -be dark objects moving between some rocks about half a mile on their -left rear. So fitful was the view obtained, however, that the men were -uncertain whether they were Zulus or some of the larger species of -baboon, which often come out of their holes and caves to look at any -human creature passing by. A steady watch was, however, maintained, and -before many minutes they could plainly see that a large body of the -enemy had, by the most tremendous pedestrian feat, succeeded in getting -almost on a level with them, in a position to assail them in flank. The -column had not long to wait, for as they came to a portion of the trek -they could not avoid, on account of the proximity of a deep morass on -the right, the pursuers, deeming them within range, treated them to a -volley which rattled up to about fifty paces short of their flank. Ten -of the mounted men, all excellent shots, were now sent out to cover the -attacked flank, and, as far as they could, to harass the enemy. The -ground was difficult and broken, but this was no impediment to these -gallant fellows, who, gaining a commanding position 500 yards from the -Zulus, and where there was admirable cover, dismounted, and kept up such -a galling fire that the Zulus retreated, as if waiting for their main -body to come up. As the mist rolled away, they could distinctly be seen -carrying off their dead and wounded with improvised stretchers of -branches of mimosa. A running fire was now kept up, the English shot -taking deadly effect, while no casualty occurred to their men. For more -than half an hour this went on, until the fort was sighted, and as the -Zulu main body had not come up, the flanking party drew quietly off. - -The sun was sinking in the horizon as the returning soldiers received -their well-earned welcome from their beleaguered comrades, who were -beginning to be somewhat anxious as to their safe return. - -Pearson's next raid was a most brilliant affair. It was found out from -reliable sources that a body of Zulus had charge of a convoy of cattle, -intended for the king's kraal at Ulundi. Deeming the Ekowe garrison as -of no account for more than defensive purposes, the Zulu general had -merely detailed 400 or 450 men to form the escort, which was known to -be on its march not more than seven miles to the north-west of Ekowe, -not far from the Inyezani river. Now here Pearson had an opportunity of -achieving two objects at one stroke. He wished to explore the land and -salient features of the country towards Inyezani, in order to see -whether a road could be made by which the dense bush of Hintza could be -avoided, while, at the same time, he could inflict a lesson upon the -Zulus, and possibly obtain some cattle. The foray was not to be on such -a grand scale as that made on Dabulamanzi's kraal, but it was intended -to be equally important for military purposes. Twenty men of the Naval -Brigade, all the small force of acting engineers, forty of the Buffs, -twenty of the 99th, and the mounted scouts were placed under orders to -parade before daylight on Friday, 21st March. No Gatling was to -accompany, as the utmost celerity of movement was required, and if the -expedition did not succeed in its first dash an immediate retreat upon -the guns was to be made. On leaving the fort at 3.30 a.m., the road by -which the band advanced was found to be good, although here and there -commanded from the neighbouring mountains. About two miles from Ekowe a -bluff runs out from the spur of the range of hills which had often -served as a reconnoitring point, and this was immediately occupied by -the mounted men, who had orders to keep up signalling both with the fort -and the rest of the expedition. Continuing on its march, the column came -to the Inyezani river, which for several miles runs between two -remarkable mountains, the bases of which are clothed with luxuriant -forest growths, while above spring sheer precipices 1000 and 1100 feet -high. The formation seemed to be sandstone and limestone, affording -excellent material for building purposes. Before reaching these dark -solitudes the river passes through a country undulating and fertile, and -the horizon is closed by higher hills, covered in the most part by -forest. These forest-trees are of fine growth and of the most valuable -description. The banks of the river are fringed by a quantity of -bamboo-looking reeds, which serve as wattles in the district, and which -are about the thickness of a finger, and some ten or twelve feet high. -Tracks of hippopotami are occasionally seen, and it is known that such -are in the neighbourhood. The river here is about 200 yards broad, while -the depth averages twenty-five feet. The expedition now noticed a few -deserted kraals on the right bank, while those on the left were found to -be in ruins, as if lately destroyed. At eight a.m. a herd of cattle was -seen some two miles off, and rapidly skirting the base of a friendly -hill the troops managed to cut in between these animals and a body of -Zulus, who appeared to be bivouacking in front of some neighbouring -caves, where fires were lit and cooking was going on. The mounted men, -who were observing these movements, now descended from the bluff where -they had been watching, and coming up rapidly at a canter, made a dash -at the Zulus, to cover the infantry retreat, which they effected with -the capture of some thirty-five fine cattle. A desultory fire was kept -up upon them from the hills during their return, and the enemy, who -seemed to be gradually augmented, at one narrow gorge managed to get -within range, slightly wounding two or three of the rear-guard. By noon -on the same day the men with the captured cattle were safely discussing -their frugal dinner, consisting of an extra half-ration in honour of the -event, within the old fort, which they were already beginning to look -upon as a friend from whom they were soon to part. - -In spite of the rapidity of the raid, the necessary observations were -made by the officers deputed for this duty, and a rough sketch of the -ground passed over gave all the information requisite for the -construction of the projected road. This work, which was forthwith taken -in hand, had a most satisfactory effect upon the spirits of the garrison -generally. The working parties were occasionally driven in, but not -without inflicting loss upon the enemy, whose attention was much taken -up in guarding and patrolling the main road by which Pearson came. - -Wood, it has been mentioned, fell back upon receiving the news of -Isandhlwana; but this retrograde movement was of short duration, and -from that time till all was ready for the relief of Ekowe, his was the -only column acting on the offensive. - -From the 25th January to the 1st February his marches and countermarches -afford little matter of interest. On the 28th he moved on to a new -camping-ground, called Potter's Store, and there obtained full -particulars of the Maglisini or Baglusini Kraal. This place Colonel Wood -had for some time known as one of the principal rallying-points and -depôts of supplies for the Zulu armies. Large quantities of "mealies" -(Indian corn) and grain of other sorts were known to have been -accumulated at this magazine, while cattle in large droves had been -seen on their way to the depôt. Under these circumstances it was -necessary to proceed with caution, as, had any ostentatious preparations -been made for an advance in the direction of the magazine, it is more -than probable Wood's object would only have been gained at a severe -cost. In this view it was determined that a cavalry raid should be made -by the mounted troops under Piet Uys, with his Burghers, and Colonel -Buller, with his dashing corps of Frontier Light Horse. From the camp -near Potter's Store to the Baglusini stronghold was at least thirty -miles. A plain suitable to the passage of cavalry intervened before the -Manzana river was reached, and Colonel Buller saw no reason why the -distance should not be covered in one day. The kraals of Umbelini and of -Inyatini were also in the same neighbourhood, therefore the utmost -caution and secrecy were necessary in making preparations for the -attack. The weather had been most unfavourable for some days, but -fortunately cleared up, and became settled on the 1st of February. On -that morning Colonel Buller, having selected on the previous day 106 of -his best mounted men and thirty-three of the Dutch Contingent under Piet -Uys, their commandant, paraded his men under the supervision of Colonel -Wood, and explained to them clearly the feat they were about to attempt, -not concealing the danger which they would have to incur in the -performance of a most difficult and dangerous duty. The scene was a most -dramatic one, as the camp lanterns lit up the faces of the bronzed and -stalwart volunteers who formed the devoted band. Each man was -exceedingly well horsed, and no precaution had been neglected in the -careful overhauling of arms, accoutrements, and saddlery. Biscuit and, -for those who cared, a little ration of rum were served out, and with a -hearty "God-speed" from their comrades, who half envied their chances of -adventure, the little troop of 141 gallant fellows started long before -the earliest streak of dawn. The utmost silence was ordered and -maintained, while the ground for some miles was so favourable that the -horses' hoofs were scarcely heard as they cantered over the light and -springy veldt. Distances on horseback are so differently estimated out -in South Africa and at home in England, that when the ground is -favourable, very long, and to European experience almost impossible, -marches are constantly made without distress to horse or rider. In the -present instance two short off-saddles only were indulged in; the first -not far from the centre of the flat, and the next after the Manzana -river had been safely crossed. The country now became more broken and -the pace was reduced to a walk, but before the sun was well up the goal -was in sight, and the herds of cattle were seen calmly feeding on the -slopes. No suspicion would seem to have been excited, and it is more -than probable that the very smallness of the attacking force, and its -being all composed of the mounted branch, contributed to the success of -the affair. The kraal was exceedingly well built, and seen from a -distance of 1200 or 1000 yards it was doubtful whether it held a large -guard or not. Cautiously yet swiftly advancing, Colonel Buller felt his -way, with a few of his best shots thrown out as vedettes. These men soon -encountered some scattered Zulus, who did not seem at all prepared for -any hostile demonstration, but on retiring towards the hills they were -reinforced by several other larger bodies, who had evidently been sent -out to reconnoitre. After a few shots had been fired, a sudden and -simultaneous advance was made on two sides of the kraal, and almost -without resistance on the part of its defenders the kraal was captured. -Two hundred and fifty well-built huts were counted by Buller's men, who, -losing not a moment, collected no less than four hundred head of cattle, -and a large quantity of grain, and then set fire to the magazine. Six -Zulus were killed in the capture of the place, and although more than -one body of them were seen hovering about in the vicinity, numbering -severally 100 to 200 and 300 men, no opposition was offered to the -rear-guard or patrols. - -Wood then again moved his camp to the White Umvolosi. His position here -was a remarkably strong one, and from it he commanded the passage of the -White Umvolosi, the Pewana, while his day and night patrols held the -disputed territory south of the Pongolo. A raid was next made in the -direction of the Insulwa Kraal. The men got upon the road about seven -a.m., and steady marching for about three miles brought them opposite -the spot where, a few days before, a large force of Zulus had been seen -engaged at drill. A scout who had been sent out on the right front came -galloping back with the news that the Zulu cattle were in considerable -numbers at the lower end of the valley, while he also added that the -guard over these animals was not much larger than the English party. -Piet Uys at once concerted with a couple of his smart non-commissioned -officers, and decided, as they were exceedingly well mounted, to ride -for the kloof which formed the exit to the valley. To execute this -man[oe]uvre was the work of ten minutes, during which they were hidden -from sight of the Zulus by a tall ledge of scarped rocks which almost -divided the valley. In the meanwhile the remainder moved steadily on at -a walk, so as not to alarm their prey. In rather more than half an hour -they had so far gained upon the cattle that they could make a tolerable -guess as to their probable number, which was estimated at a couple of -hundreds. The main body had now arrived at a place which Piet Uys and -his Dutchmen seemed intimately acquainted with, and the Zulu cattle and -guard could be seen on a ridge running parallel to the one they -themselves were upon. Below was a deep kloof leading to the river. Some -of Buller's Horse were now sent round to the opposite side, to drive the -enemy down the kloof to the main party, while they continued to march -down the ridge to meet these men as they came on. But they had not -advanced very far when, as was expected, a much larger force appeared on -the neighbouring heights, but the cliff was so precipitous they could -not join their comrades. The seven-pounder was now brought into action, -and sent a couple of shells right in amongst them, one of the rounds -being a capital shot. Advancing still, the English leader saw that the -enemy lately on the heights had managed, by making a détour, to get to -the cover of a dense mimosa bush on his left. This move was answered by -several rounds of canister, which it was afterwards found were not -without effect. The foes were thus driven out into the open, and at one -moment it seemed as though they were going to fight; the Boers, however, -who had been detached to the neck of the valley now served their -comrades by an excellent ruse. They had taken with them one of the bugle -boys of the 13th, mounted on a wiry Kaffir pony, and the main party now -heard coming across the valley the echoes of his bugle sounding the -advance. The Zulus could not make out the meaning of this sound, and -evidently imagined that the English commander had posted at least the -wing of a regiment to intercept them. The consequence was, that the -moment the main body cantered forward with a bold front, the cattle were -abandoned; and they were left masters of the field, taking 170 head and -some few wounded prisoners. Two villages were left in flames behind the -retiring troops, who, as the crackling and flashing approached the bush -where the hills met the plain, could see individual forms of black -warriors shouting and gesticulating from out of the dust and smoke, wild -with impotent rage at the loss of their kraal and cattle. The ridges -beyond the gullies still afforded considerable shelter, and the English -party were continually fired upon as they returned with their spoil; but -it was evident that the Zulus had not any long-range weapons, as it -could be seen from the splashes of dust how far short their bullets were -falling. Ten of Buller's men were now sent on to cover the passage of -the guns through the drift, and in about twenty minutes, and under the -protection of the rear-guard, it was passed over in safety. - -On the 15th, Wood was fortunate enough to destroy the great military -kraal of Manyanyoba. Several reconnaissances had been made by Colonel -Wood's directions, and from the local knowledge of one of Piet Uys's -men, Colonel Buller was enabled to carry out the instructions of his -chief with a success fully equal to the most sanguine expectations. The -stronghold in question was situated on the Intomba river, and had always -been considered by Cetywayo and his Indunas as a place of more than -ordinary strength. At ten p.m. on the 14th the men were got under arms, -and the column was composed of a strong detachment of Buller's Horse and -fifty of the Burgher Volunteers under Piet Uys, whose services had on -more than one occasion been most handsomely mentioned by Colonel Wood. -The men paraded without lights, bugles, or the slightest sound, and -moved off silently into the bush, without even the jingle of a sabre or -the clank of a chain. Their march was accompanied by one gun, the wheels -of which were, however, carefully wrapped with cloth and bound with raw -hide. This was not only a protection against sound, but a preventive to -injury to spokes and axles from the sharp boulders and rocks in the bed -of the drift. The column left the camp by moonlight, crossing the usual -ford, and were fortunate enough to gain the shelter of the bush without -being seen or heard in the neighbouring villages. After a couple of -hours' marching they reached a wide plain, where there was a broad -watercourse, but sufficiently shallow to be easily forded. Here the gun, -as the early grey of the morning came on in the sky, was brought into -position, and here the final instructions were given to the men. As the -daylight grew more marked there could be seen in front a long unbroken -range of mountains, varying in height from 900 to 1000 feet. This range -ran along the valley leading to the smaller kraals in the distance. Half -the cavalry were now sent away by Colonel Buller to the left, with -instructions to gain the bush, and wait dismounted until the shells were -heard. They were then to dash forward at a swinging canter and cut off -the cattle to be seen feeding on the slopes, which man[oe]uvre would, if -carried out, drive them into the hands of Piet Uys and his men posted on -the right. Just as the sun began to appear above the horizon the gunners -managed to hit off the range to a nicety, and the second shell crashed -and burst right into the centre of the interior circle where the cattle -were placed at night, and which is usually surrounded by the -beehive-shaped huts where the Zulus live. It was at once perceived that -this shot had caused the wildest commotion, as it was immediately -followed by smoke and flame, figures rushing about through the village, -the bellowing of oxen, and the shouts of men. As the horsemen advanced -at a gallop towards the kraal, the enemy, firing a random and hasty -volley, fled up the sides of the mountain, where cavalry could not -follow. All the huts and stores along the base of the mountain were now -destroyed without much resistance, although as soon as the Zulus got a -little vantage-ground on the cliffs, they turned, and replied to the -English fire. Four hundred head of cattle and a quantity of sheep and -goats were brought off by Buller's men, who behaved with the most -admirable coolness and steadiness. The fight had lasted about half an -hour, when indications of reinforcements to the Zulus were observed. -Seeing that nothing more was to be gained, and that he might lose the -cattle, Colonel Buller gave the order to make good the retreat, covered -by skirmishers and a rear-guard. This movement was skilfully effected -without loss, and the column reached the camp early in the afternoon, -having been about eight or nine hours in the saddle. - -Meanwhile, to strengthen Wood's hands, the Commander-in-chief had -ordered Colonel Rowlands to join that general. Rowlands at this time had -with him, at his entrenched camp at New Derby, only a wing of the 80th, -a couple of guns, and 200 Swazis. Raaf's Horse and Weatherly's Borderers -were, however, expected daily to reinforce him. In the meantime, -Rowlands was not allowing the grass to grow under the feet of his men, -for, on the same day that Wood destroyed the Manyanyoba Kraal he left -his camp at Derby and marched on to the Talako range, where he knew the -enemy were in the numerous caves hidden by dense bush. The operations -were entirely successful. Five large kraals, some of them of great -natural strength, were burnt to the ground, 197 cattle, seventy goats, -and forty-five sheep were captured. Magalini, the chief, was killed, -with ten of his men, while defending one of the caves. One Zulu prisoner -was taken, and forty women and a number of children came in and claimed -protection. Six of the Swazi allies, under Fairlie, were wounded, and -one horse killed. - -On a still more recent occasion Colonel Rowlands had shown even greater -activity. On the 20th February intelligence was brought to his camp that -a small force of Zulus had been left in charge of supplies at Makatees -Kop, a natural fortress close to Elozo, and intended as a depôt for -future operations. The place was by no means easy of access, and -apparently innumerable difficulties were mentioned to dissuade the -colonel from any hostile attempt. On the date just named (20th) the -detachment sent forward as a sort of advanced guard by Colonel Rowlands -reached one of the mission-stations still left on the border. There was -a laager consisting of a simple stone enclosure, bastioned, however, and -loopholed, and situated on the bank of a running stream of bright and -clearly sparkling water. In the dead of night the sentries were heard to -challenge, and the sergeant on guard at once called his men to arms. -This alarm, however, proved to be merely the return of some mounted -Boers who had been sent on to reconnoitre on the previous day, and the -information they brought in was important. The kraal which they had been -seeking was about twenty miles off and supposed to be only held by about -fifty Zulus, belonging to the regiment of Nkobamakosi, and part of the -Undi or Royal corps. A large number of cattle were not supposed to be -yet there, but some were coming in daily, and it was considered -advisable to break this link in the enemy's communications. In the early -morning, preceded by a few horsemen (many were coming in as volunteers -to both Rowlands' and Wood's column), and marching with only their -haversacks full of rations for two days, the little expedition started -for a duty uncertain and believed to be full of risk. Eight European -officers, 275 natives, partly Swazi allies, and some volunteer horse, -the whole under command of Captain Harvey, staff officer, formed the -reconnaissance; but, as it turns out, a smaller force would have -sufficed. From the post or laager at the mission-station the road lay up -a narrow valley, from which, after an ascent of about 200 feet, it -stretched out on to a wide grassy plain ten miles in length. On the left -of this could be plainly seen a number of Zulus tending sheep and cattle -on the hills. Crossing part of the Iwangovini district, and fording a -drift on the Inpongo river, the Iembe mountain could be seen always to -the right; while the Eloso, a rocky height, loomed in front. At the -bottom of a steep, rocky, and heavily bush-grown gorge, fourteen miles -from the laager, a halt and short off-saddle were made, and every -precaution taken against surprise. From this point to the stronghold the -pathway was most difficult, and the men had to proceed with the greatest -caution, in case of an ambush, which was half suspected. Two columns of -smoke, one from a steep krantz on the left and another lower down on the -right, were noticed, but these were afterwards found to be abandoned -camping-grounds of the enemy, who fancied the British force was much -stronger than it really was. On nearing the kraal, and on turning an -angle of the gully, the column came in sight of the first village, which -was as usual fortified in the Zulu fashion. As the foremost files dashed -on, a couple of shots rang out and some assegais were thrown, causing a -couple of casualties amongst the Swazis, who, however, showed a bold -front, and, gallantly led by the European officers, carried the kraal by -a rush. The results of this skirmish may not appear of great importance, -but, taken in conjunction with Wood's recent successes, they had a most -useful effect upon both the minds of the regular soldiers and those of -the colonial volunteers. - -The junction of Rowlands' column with Wood's was the next eventful -incident in the history of the latter force. It was found, of course, -impossible for Wood with so small a column and with so few cavalry to -keep an efficient and reliable watch over the lengthy border he had to -defend, and the result was that a Zulu force managed to effect a raid in -the German settlements over the Pongolo. Commandant Schermbrucker had -hitherto done remarkably well in keeping his line of defence intact, but -his want of mounted men seriously hampered him, and enabled the Zulus to -elude his vigilance. A serious raid happened on the 11th February; but -Schermbrucker came up with the marauders as they were retiring with -their booty, recaptured some of the cattle taken, and killed about a -dozen of the enemy. On the 13th a large Zulu force managed to cross the -Pongolo, and steal past the fort and laager of Luneberg. This was in the -dead of night, and by daybreak they had burnt a number of huts belonging -to natives friendly to or in the employment of the Dutch. The savages -rushed in thousands upon the kraals and single huts, setting the roofs -on fire and massacring old people, women, and children who could not -escape. They deliberately tortured to death about a score of old men, -killed in the most brutal manner at least fifty women and an equal -number of children, while they left several young women fearfully -stabbed with assegais. All this took place within five miles of the -fort; and as fire-arms were not employed, the attention of the sentries -was not aroused. Early in the morning one of the wounded managed to -effect his escape, and brought this terrible news to the laager, and -measures were immediately taken to follow and punish the band. Patrols -were ordered out, and the utmost diligence exerted to overtake the -enemy, who, it was known, was overladen with spoil. Before the Tombe -river was reached, the leading patrol came up with a portion of the -enemy's rear-guard, and a very pretty fight took place. The Zulus -numbered about 450, but they were embarrassed by the cattle they had -charge of, and this did not allow them to make a good stand. The -consequence was that the Boer patrol killed twenty of their foes, put -the remainder to flight, and won back a number of the stolen cattle. The -rest, however, managed to escape over the Tombe, and the patrol were -wisely ordered not to pursue. These raids were principally due to the -activity of both Umbelini and Manyanyoba, and were the immediate cause -of the expedition to attack and burn the kraals of the chiefs on the -Intombe river. It should be mentioned that Umbelini was a Swazi refugee, -and not even a legitimate chieftain of that tribe, but was regarded by -the real headmen as a mere adventurer and pretender. Manyanyoba's -people, again, were not Zulus, but the _débris_ or remnants of various -tribes conquered by Chaka and Dingaan. They wandered about in a starving -condition, landless, and without flocks or wealth of any kind, until -Cetywayo, from compassion, allowed them to settle north of the Pongolo, -and on the banks of the Tombe river. This very land was mentioned in the -ultimatum sent by Sir Bartle Frere to the king, who had no right -whatever to cede any portion of it. - -Wood next moved his camp to the Kambula Kop, and there entrenched -himself in a position of great natural strength. There now occurred an -event of considerable importance. Oham, brother of Cetywayo, had always -declared himself opposed to war, had openly stated his opinion in Zulu's -councils, and had ever since the outbreak of hostilities been making -overtures of friendship to the British. These, however, had been but -lightly treated, as suspicions of their honesty were entertained by the -powers that were. How groundless were these suspicions the event proved. -On the 2nd inst. Oham came into the camp of Captain M'Leod, the -political agent on the border of Swaziland, arrived at Derby on the 4th, -and came on thence to Wood at Kambula a couple of days back, and -declared his complete submission to her Majesty's Government. -Immediately before leaving his kraal in Zululand the chief took the -precaution to try and save some of his best cattle, and he subsequently -sent a thousand head of his finest herds into the Swazi county; but they -fell into Dutch hands, and some of the Boers, obtaining possession of -them, had the audacity to brand them as their property before M'Leod -could arrive to claim them. Oham had with him between 300 and 400 of his -people, and was accompanied by his eldest son, an intelligent lad of -fifteen, who soon made himself an object of great interest in Wood's -camp, and a favourite with the soldiers. Immediately on his arrival he -had an interview with, and was received with great respect by Colonel -Wood, who was informed by him that he would have surrendered some time -back but for two reasons. In the first place, he was under a system of -espionage by the orders of the king, with whom he had never been on good -terms since he openly, before the Indunas, spoke against the warlike -attitude and aggressive tone of his brother; and, secondly, when he did -make his first overtures for submission, he was told that he was not -believed by the English, and would be cast into prison, and sent to -Robbin Island as a convict. - -Oham was a black ikehla (head-ringed man), resembling both his father, -the late Mpanda, or Panda, and his brother Cetywayo, and although a -large man, his body and muscles were firm, not flabby like those of so -many other big Zulus. After the usual salutations he thus opened his -interview with Wood:-- - -"Sir, chief, and great warrior, whom I respect, because you fight -against men, and do not kill women or children, I came here to your camp -from a desire to see you, and to ask you to intercede for me and my -people, who have never wished to make war upon you, but to live in peace -and goodwill, and hunt the wild deer together. I have left more than two -thousand of my people ready and most anxious to come in and submit to -you, surrendering their arms and cattle, and giving their sons as -hostages, if you will guarantee their safety." - -The chief, who had a dignified manner and an honest expression of -countenance, was then informed that he and his people should receive -every consideration, and as much protection as was consistent with the -safe advance of the English troops into Zululand. He then assured Wood -that the Zulu army was considerably demoralized, and that, the people -having gone back to their kraals, Cetywayo found it no easy task to -collect a really effective fighting force. With some difficulty, -indeed, the king had managed to get together a strong impi, composed of -the Udhlambedhlu, or "Ill-tempered" Regiment, whose kraal was at -Udhlambedhlweni, about six miles east of the Usixepe, to exercise a -surveillance over Oham and his people. This corps, however, was formed -originally from a clan, or tribe, which were Dingaan's chief and -favourite regiment, and although in a measure loyal to their then ruler, -they were somewhat indignant at the duty imposed upon them, when they -would infinitely prefer the chances of raiding and plunder, which the -present unsettled state of the border presented. Now, when Wood was at -Utrecht the previous autumn, a letter was sent by the Landdrost Rudolph -to the Secretary for Native Affairs, in which he mentioned the arrival -of Gwegwana, the favourite messenger of Uhamo or Oham, with letters from -that chief to the following effect, which Oham now repeated to Colonel -Wood:--"I am sent back by Uhamo to hear what answer his father, Somtseu -(Sir Theophilus Shepstone), has sent to his message brought by me on the -10th October last. Uhamo is very anxious to know what is going to take -place in the land now that Cetywayo has called the whole of Zululand -together, and Uhamo has refused liberty to his people to assemble at -'Ondi,' and will openly tell Cetywayo that if he (Cetywayo) makes war -upon the English, he (Uhamo) will not join him, because Cetywayo's -people, Sirayo and Umbelini, have, by their overt acts, brought the -country into its present state of trouble and disgrace. Moreover, the -building by Cetywayo's orders of a military kraal on the Pongolo, and -the claims made by him of a portion of the Transvaal beyond the Blood -River, which had been, as Uhamo repeatedly told Cetywayo, ceded many -years ago to the Transvaal people, and other acts, had never received -any countenance from Uhamo, who now asks, Why does Cetywayo want to -quarrel with the English, who have ever been his friends, and who, -indeed, placed him on his present throne?" - -In his second interview with Colonel Wood, Oham was still more explicit -and demonstrative. He expressed himself with much indignation at his -brother's countenancing such a despicable character as Umbelini, who, -neither a pure Zulu nor a Swazi, had all the vices and none of the good -qualities of either; and he added that the degradation which his brother -had brought upon the race of Chaka by such an unworthy alliance has -caused him to lose much of his former popularity. Oham also added that, -in case of the continuance of the war, rather than be compelled to fight -against his old friends the English he would at all hazards bring his -people bodily over to that Government, and under these circumstances -claim their protection. "Uhamo loves peace as his father Panda did," -said the chief in conclusion, and his open and honest-looking eyes -seemed to corroborate this expression. - -We now come to another sad event, which though less in magnitude, is in -many points similar to the Isandhlwana disaster. Major Tucker, the chief -officer at Luneberg, gives this account of the affair:--Captain -Moriarty, with a company of the 80th, was ordered to march from Luneberg -on the 7th March, for the purpose of bringing in twenty waggons from -Derby, variously loaded, which had arrived at the Intombi Drift. -Earlier in the month Major Tucker sent down to the Drift, which was not -more than four miles off, a small escort to await the arrival of these -waggons. Believing, however, the position a perilous one, owing to the -proximity to Umbelini's kraal, on the 5th he ordered it to return. On -the 7th, however, the waggons, which had all but been captured on the -way down, did arrive at the Drift, and Moriarty was again sent with -seventy men of his company to act as escort and assist in getting the -convoy across the stream, which was considerably swollen by the -continued rains. The Drift was only four miles from the stronghold of -the renegade Swazi freebooter, Umbelini, who had of late given so much -trouble, and Moriarty had orders to neglect no precaution, and above all -to laager his waggons and keep an incessant and vigilant look-out. It -was ascertained from survivors that the waggons were actually parked, -but in a somewhat loose and careless fashion, and that no earthworks -were thrown up around the camp. For several days the river continued in -strong flood, and consequently no crossing could be effected. On the -11th it was reported by the native waggon-drivers that Umbelini's people -were gathering in the neighbourhood. The camp was pitched in a most -dangerous position, with its face towards some high ground, covered here -and there with dense bush, while its rear was resting upon the swollen -river, across which Lieutenant Harward and thirty-four men were posted. -No particular precautions appear to have been taken, with the exception -of a sentry being posted about fifteen paces from the front of the camp, -on the Derby side. When first warned by the drivers, Moriarty ordered -the men to stand to their arms, but only for a short time. On the -morning of the 12th, at four o'clock, a shot was heard from the -unfortunate sentry, who had barely time to call "Guard, turn out!" when -dense masses of the savages were seen not more than two hundred yards -from the camp. Their front extended for several miles, and they could -not, by the lowest estimate, have been less than 4000 or 5000 strong. -Lieutenant Harward, who had been on the _qui-vive_, and who had -carefully placed his thirty-five men under cover of his solitary waggon, -at once called his detachment to arms, and made what dispositions he -could to open fire upon the enemy's flank. In less than ten minutes, -however, the whole valley was swarming with the savages, who at once -proceeded in their usual manner to surround and overlap the camp and -waggons. In less time than it takes to tell, the camp was in their -hands, and the majority of the soldiers were assegaied, many of them -before they could leave their tents. The fight, or rather butchery, -which ensued was soon over, and, in spite of a well-directed and -well-sustained fire from the Luneberg bank of the river, the enemy -followed up the men, and assegaied them as they endeavoured to swim the -river. Harward, seeing the enemy crossing the river in large numbers, -gave the order to his men to retire slowly. Then, jumping on the back of -his horse, he galloped away at full speed to Luneberg, where he reported -what had happened. The savages continued to cross the stream, and coming -on in dense masses, for a short time a hand-to-hand fight took place, -ending however in the little band being broken up. - -Eight men, and the sergeant of Harward's detachment, by taking advantage -of shelter afforded by an old and dismantled kraal wall at some little -distance from the stream, and by their cool and determined shooting, -succeeded in saving their lives and getting to Luneberg. Ten men only -were saved from Moriarty's party, while he, with a civilian, Surgeon -Cobbin, was slain. - -The camp was evidently wrongly placed, and was clearly taken by -surprise. Major Tucker went out from Luneberg in person, with a small -party of horsemen, followed by 150 of the 80th, to see what could be -recovered, and the bodies of the dead were brought over the river and -buried, while twenty-five of the enemy's dead were discovered, and a -couple of wounded taken prisoners. From these men it was ascertained -that Umbelini himself was in command, having with him some men belonging -to our old antagonist Manyanyoba. Mcame, a powerful induna, had been -asked to join in the foray, but refused. When Tucker and his handful of -horsemen arrived on the banks of the river, the enemy were seen to be -retreating, but they could not be followed until the infantry came up. -Curious to remark, the waggons were not taken, and many of them were -only half plundered by the savages, who seemed most anxious to decamp -with what spoil they had secured. - -For his conduct in this affair Lieutenant Harward was subsequently tried -by court-martial. The ground of complaint was his having galloped off on -his horse--the only one present on the scene--leaving his men engaged in -a desperate engagement. The loss of the camp, or anything of a similar -nature, was in no way charged against him. His defence was that he had -ridden off to obtain assistance from the nearest point--that this was -his duty--and that he could not send a soldier in his place, as none of -them could ride. In the event the Court acquitted him. But in May of the -ensuing year (1880), the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief issued the -following special general order relative to a court-martial recently -held on an officer in South Africa:-- - -"At a general court-martial recently held, an officer was arraigned upon -the following charges,--First. Having misbehaved before the enemy, in -shamefully abandoning a party of the regiment under his command when -attacked by the enemy, and in riding off at speed from his men. Second. -Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in having -at the time and place mentioned in the first charge, neglected to take -proper precautions for the safety of a party of the regiment under his -command when attacked. The Court recorded a verdict of 'Not Guilty' on -both charges. The main facts of the case were not in dispute. The -officer rode away from his men to a station distant four and a half -miles, at a moment of extreme danger, when to all appearance the small -party under his command were being surrounded and overwhelmed by the -enemy. The charge alleged misbehaviour--that is, cowardice in so doing; -the defence averred that it was to procure reinforcements, and either by -their actual arrival, or by the imminence of their arrival, to ward off -destruction. In acquitting the prisoner, they have found that he was not -guilty of cowardice. The proceedings of the Court were submitted to the -General commanding, who recorded the following minute:--'Disapproved and -not confirmed. Lieutenant ... to be released from arrest, and to return -to his duty.' The confirming officer has further recorded his reasons -for withholding his approval and confirmation in the following -terms:--'Had I released this officer without making any remarks upon the -verdict in question, it would have been a tacit acknowledgment that I -concurred in what appears to me a monstrous theory, viz., that a -regimental officer who is the only officer present with a party of -soldiers actually and seriously engaged with the enemy can, under any -pretext whatever, be justified in deserting them, and by so doing -abandoning them to their fate. The more helpless the position in which -an officer finds his men, the more it is his bounden duty to stay and -share their fortune, whether for good or ill. It is because the British -officer has always done so that he occupies the position in which he is -held in the estimation of the world, that he possesses the influence he -does in the ranks of our army. The soldier has learnt to feel that, come -what may, he can, in the direst moment of danger, look with implicit -faith to his officer, knowing that he will never desert him under any -possible circumstances. It is to this faith of the British soldier in -his officers that we owe most of the gallant deeds recorded in our -military annals; and it is because the verdict of this court-martial -strikes at the root of this faith that I feel it necessary to mark -officially my emphatic dissent from the theory upon which the verdict -has been founded.' In communicating to the army the result of this -court-martial, the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief desires to signify -his entire approval of the views expressed by the confirming officer in -respect of the principles of duty which have always actuated British -officers in the field, and by which his Royal Highness feels assured -they will continue to be guided. This general order will, by his -Highness's command, be read at the head of every regiment in her -Majesty's service.--By Command, H. ELLICE, A.-G." - -It was about this time that Oham, whose actions had now clearly proved -his sincerity, and the value of his friendship to the British, having -made an earnest request to Colonel Wood that his wives and family might -be rescued from the power of Cetywayo, the colonel sent off about twenty -of the chief's men to collect them. To carry out the remainder of the -project, some days after, (on the 14th), a strong detachment of Buller's -men and the Burghers under Piet Uys, with 200 of Oham's people, left the -camp at daybreak, and guided by James Rorke and Calverly, marched to the -caves of Nhlangwine, which were situated rather more than twelve miles -east of the source of the Unkassi, and not less than forty-five miles -from Kambula. The caves were reached at 9.30 p.m., the last of the march -of seven miles being very difficult travelling, and taking three hours -to surmount. A few Zulus in charge of cattle were shot, and the animals -which had belonged to Oham were taken possession of. As has been said, -it was scarcely daybreak when the little column started. They rode along -for a considerable time in complete silence, the men being allowed to -smoke their pipes, but not to speak above a whisper. At first they -followed the spoor of some cattle, which indicated the road by which -Oham and his people had come to the camp, and then turning more in a -northerly direction, followed the course of some small streams which -flowed from the hills upon the left. The moon shone brightly, and -enabled them to see clearly for some distance before them. Many strange -sounds were heard, the growl of some beast of prey or the scream of the -night-birds disturbed by the clank of the horses' hoofs, or the -occasional rattle of a chain. The rapidity with which the column -cantered over the soft and springy veldt, the dead and ominous silence -maintained by all hands, and the steady and business-like mode in which -they pursued their course, neither turning to the right nor the left, -gave the journey a singularly weird character. As soon as the first -morning's light began to appear the guides, who rode in front, turned -into a ravine covered with dense brushwood and trees, and, having -ascended this for about three miles, they found it was possible to ride -out of it in three different directions, besides the one by which they -had entered, and thus a retreat could be effected if any attack were -made. Here it was decided to make the first off-saddle and partake of -breakfast. At a signal from their leader, and without any word of -command, the horsemen dismounted, slackened girths, and took off -saddles, while the bits were removed from the horses' mouths and the -animals allowed, Cape fashion, to take the customary roll in the grass. -This luxury to a Cape horse seems indispensable, and without it he will -rarely enjoy his grass or corn. No sooner, however, had the steeds -rolled than each was again saddled, and, with the exception of the still -slackened girths, was ready to be mounted in half a moment. Rifles and -revolvers were carefully examined, to see whether the night dew had done -any mischief, and then, having made a careful sweep round the horizon -with his field-glasses, the commander gave the order for the morning -meal, which consisted of a little cold tea, some bread, and "beltong" -(sun-dried game). - -After half an hour's rest they again started as silently as before. The -day had broken with all the splendour of an African morning. The day -before had been rainy, and the showers had refreshed the ground and -filled the various pools with water, and all kinds of wild animals were -busy and cheerful in the plains. A number of parrots and monkeys were -screaming and chattering with content, and the sportsmen of the party -were much exercised at hearing the pleasant double whistle of the quail -sounding from various patches of long grass. Figures which it was first -thought were Zulus were seen on the summits of the rocks, but Piet Uys -declared that they were merely baboons, whose early morning custom was -to come from the heights to search for and dig up roots, which seemed to -grow here in abundance. Vultures, sweeping aloft, were circling in the -air above where there had evidently been a skirmish, for the carcasses -of some horses still remained uneaten and poisoning the pure air. Here -and there a black-breasted and magnificent eagle sat on some withered -branch, and, seeming quite indifferent to the soldier's presence, -scanned the ground below him as if to select the daintiest morsel for -his morning meal. Mounting to the head of the kloof the party came to a -splendid prospect and panorama stretching out below. The plains seemed -to roll away to the north-east as far as the eye could see, while the -bright, glowing tints of the rugged foreground were mellowed away into -the middle distance, until, quite far away, the bold outlines of the -mountains assumed, not a purple, as in Europe they would have done, but -a rich blue tint, yet standing out in fine clear relief against the -distant sky, the dry atmosphere failing to give the subdued effect of -distance usually observed in other climates. These mountains were the -Tobomba range, which run northward, and almost parallel to the -coast-line. Amidst small groves of what seemed in the distance to be -acacia, and near the banks of many tiny streams that wound along the -plain, were groups of game. Herds of various kinds of bok were there, -and here and there some solitary and not gregarious animal was to be -seen, now bounding away from some imaginary danger, and now calmly -browsing on the sweet veldt. What a place for an encampment!--wood, -water, cover, commanding heights, which, properly occupied and -entrenched, could be held against an army; and a climate where fever -could scarcely penetrate, so pure and bracing was the air. Away up a -smaller valley on the right lay the path that had to be followed, and, -leaving the bright and smiling landscape in front, the column once more -plunged into the gloom of the bush. Two more outspans brought them to -sunset, and now precautions had to be redoubled, as they were nearing -most dangerous ground. The chances were more than probable that -Cetywayo, on hearing of his brother's defection and flight, had sent a -party of his warriors to take possession of his wives and cattle, both -vendible commodities in the land. If this were the case, it would -inevitably result that a vigilant watch would be kept to prevent their -escape to Oham. Strange to say, these anticipations were only partly -verified, for as the troops neared the caves they could see that they -were watched, but only by scattered and weak bodies of Zulus. These -fellows had evidently discovered that the white man's intention was -hostile, and they probably thought his object was cattle, and not to -recover or rescue Oham's wives and children, for they ran rapidly along -the heights above, taking no precaution for concealment, and seeming -only anxious to drive away their herds. As the horsemen approached the -caves at a canter, flankers were extended on either side to prevent -surprise. The excitement of Buller's men could hardly be restrained, -while the calm and stolid Dutchmen, who glided silently and grimly on, -offered a wide contrast to their more hot-blooded comrades. As they came -nearer and nearer the place seemed inhabited, and it was evident that -the natives sent on a few days previously had apprised the people of -Buller's advent and friendly intentions. Then Oham's people came -crowding out of their caves, jostling each other in their anxiety to -greet the English soldiers, grasping their assegais, and giving vent to -a succession of guttural clicks, which it would baffle any known -combination of vowels to reproduce. They did not cheer; such was not -their custom, but they waved their spears aloft, as if they felt them -entering the enemy's body. - -Rorke, having now been sent on with a small escort to explore the -caves, was not long in reporting that all the women and children had -been collected, and a bivouac having been formed, with outlying pickets -in every direction, and sentries posted, that night was passed without -molestation. At nine a.m. the following morning a compact column was -formed, consisting of the rescued allies or prisoners, the few cattle -collected in the centre, and the whole party started for the homeward -march. It could scarcely have been hoped that the retreat would have -been unmolested, yet only at the Inklepgwene, a difficult defile, were -they fired upon by a body of Zulus, evidently hastily collected, and -numbering some thousand men. The detachment reached the camp, with the -rescued families, at one p.m. on the 16th. - -Wood had for some time purposed taking the initiative against Umbelini, -and from information obtained from Oham's people came to the conclusion -that Umbelini's place on the Mhlobana Mountain, which was not more than -five and twenty miles from Kambula, was capable of being successfully -surprised. He had heard from headquarters that Lord Chelmsford would -probably start for Pearson's relief on the 28th, so he determined to -take that opportunity of making a diversion towards Mhlobana. - -On Wednesday, 26th March, Colonel Buller and Piet Uys were summoned to -Colonel Wood's tent, and told that information had come in to the effect -that a large quantity of fine cattle had been seen on the Zlobani range -of mountains, some ten or twelve miles from Kambula. This Zlobani range -could be seen from the camp, and in most places was steep and -precipitous, well wooded, and full of large caves, places of -concealment, and natural fastnesses. - -Several reconnaissances had been previously made by Colonels Wood and -Buller, who had both made themselves well acquainted with its natural -features and its various difficulties of attack. It was well known that -scattered bands of predatory Zulus, guarding large quantities of cattle, -had been for some time concealed in these rocky recesses, and that, in -compliance with the king's orders, these bands had been consolidated and -reinforced by regiments sent by Cetywayo from Ulundi. Colonel Wood had, -however, other information, from some of Oham's people, that all the -regiments indicated had not yet come in, and that want of ammunition was -detaining them in their own kraals. This, as it turned out, could not -have been quite correct. After some conversation, Colonel Weatherly and -Commandants Raaf and Schermbrucker were also summoned to the colonel's -tent, and it was unanimously decided that it would be advisable to take -the initiative and strike a blow before the Zulus concentrated to attack -the camp, as Wood was on all hands assured they would do. Before any -operations on the Zlobani are described, it should be mentioned that -Wood had been enabled from the additions to his column to establish a -chain of communications between Kambula, Utrecht, and Dundee. He had -also organized a strong outpost between his camp and the Transvaal -border, and another at Doornkop, or Thorn-hill. To this place Captain -Schermbrucker and a party of his men were sent, but had been temporarily -recalled to assist us at Kambula. - -After the council of war held by the colonel on the 26th, arrangements -were at once made for the reconnaissance to the Zlobani. The force -selected for this expedition consisted of the Imperial Mounted -Infantry, 150; the Frontier Light Horse, 125; Raaf's Contingent, 50; -Piet Uys's Boer Contingent, 50; Weatherly's Horse, 80; and -Schermbrucker's Horse, 40, making a total of 495; and each man was -supplied with three days' rations and 100 rounds of ammunition. - -All the horses intended for the expedition were carefully inspected on -the 26th, and the colonel rejected several that did not seem in good -form. They did not, as a rule, average more than fourteen hands two -inches in height, but all were stout, short-backed, well ribbed up -animals, and up to far more weight than their appearance would lead a -novice to suppose. All these animals were trained to remain perfectly -quiet when the men dismounted to fire, and many of them would actually -come to their rider at a whistle. Piet Uys's men were especially well -mounted, and it was necessary that they should be, as your Dutch Boer -is, as a rule, by no means a feather-weight, being usually over thirteen -stone. They are also very powerful men, and until forty or forty-five -not unwieldy. After that age, they generally get heavier. Most of the -old-fashioned Boers still retained the long "roer" or smoothbore, but -all the younger generation had taken to the latest pattern rifles. A -revolver and stout cutlass also formed part of their equipment, and a -single blanket strapped in front of the saddle carried all their kit. - -At three a.m. on the 27th, the first little band of gallant horsemen -under Colonel Russell were quietly paraded in the moonlight, and after -being carefully inspected were addressed in a few well-chosen words by -Colonel Wood, who had finally decided to accompany the party. The whole -party made up altogether 495 sabres, every one of whom was a good -swordsman and a picked marksman. The horses, although somewhat rough in -the coat, were in good wind and excellent condition, and every one of -these animals was well trained to stand fire. They moved off quietly -from the camp, and passing along the track, which descended towards a -sandy and deep nullah with most precipitous sides, debouched into an -open space, from which the Zlobani range could be seen in the intervals -of moonlight, now and then obscured by the passing clouds, which seemed -to foretell a stormy day. The track in many places crossed difficult -spruits, and in parts was obliterated by thorn-trees and bush. It was -frequently commanded by projecting spurs and bluffs, from which an enemy -could have seriously annoyed the advance. At five o'clock the column -halted, and after a careful reconnaissance, off-saddled for half an -hour, while the men partook of a ration of cold tea and beltong. This -halt was made near a large dried-up, sandy watercourse, in parts of -which the sand was moist, and by digging holes water was found in -sufficient quantities for the horses to wash their mouths. The -surrounding country was totally denuded of fodder, and as far as the eye -could reach the most wild and barren prospect was to be seen. Another -advance of about five miles changed the aspect of the scene, and brought -them to a slightly wooded ravine, amidst the rocks of which ran a clear -stream, over a grassy or pebbly bed, behind which loomed a range of -rocky hills, the summit of which seemed crowned by immense boulders, -looking in the distance like huge slabs placed by giant hands in their -present position. Away to the left was an undulating plain, upon which -were detached clumps of bushes and trees. Over this plain small mountain -streams flowed in various directions, winding amongst trees, shrubs, and -ferns of different variety. Here and there antelopes were grazing, -ostriches were stalking, and now and then vultures were seen grimly -circling round in seeming anticipation of a morning feast. A couple of -miles further on they came to a large cultivated flat terminating to the -right in a long, dark, and winding gorge, black with bush and skirted by -huge precipices of sandstone and granite. They turned into this, and -proceeded silently but quickly along the banks of a small rivulet, until -they came to the foot of the mountain, and, after some little time, -discovered a steep path, which seemed cut out of the solid cliff, and -wide enough only for one horseman to pass. They were more than -three-quarters of an hour scaling this path, which was most dangerous to -horsemen unaccustomed to such tracks, and suited more to the bush bok -seen here and there as the horsemen ascended higher and higher. - -On nearing the top of the krantz the view was magnificent. Away to the -extreme right was the purple range of the Ingive Mountains, behind which -the sun was fast rising. The Ingonyama came next, and joined the -Ntabatulu and Ingoma ranges, the latter of which overhangs the left bank -of the Black Umfolosi, all along which are the most extensive forests -and inaccessible kloofs and krantzes. The head of the column had no -sooner gained the summit of the last ledge than the leading files -noticed a large number of cattle grazing on the plateau. These were -guarded by about 150 or 200 armed Zulus, who, however, did not see the -advancing troops. The range upon which the English party now found -themselves extended about seven or eight miles, and was accessible only -by a few most difficult footpaths leading from the plains below. Huge -masses of scrub and boulders, krantzes, terraces, and ledges of rock, -caves and immense fissures in the sides of the mountain, formed a -retreat for the cattle, which, upon an alarm being sounded, were quickly -driven from the grazing-ground above. The northern face of the mountain -was a sheer precipice, perfectly bare of all bush or shrub. They were -now halted, and ordered to bivouac. At about seven in the evening -Colonel Wood rejoined them, having with him his usual small staff and -personal escort, consisting of Captain the Hon. Ronald Campbell, his -staff officer; Lieut. Lysons, 90th Light Infantry, his orderly officer; -Mr. Lloyd, political agent (son of General Lloyd, of the Natal -Legislative Assembly); eight mounted men of the 90th Light Infantry, and -six stalwart natives under Umtongo, one of Pondo's sons. Umtongo had by -some means or other obtained information that the regiments named -Naxeane, Umdomandi, Ucaridanburg, Macalsiene, Udmine, Ekotsamaclooser, -and Macalvoore, under the Indunas Umgongo, Umsimoyao, and other noted -chiefs, had left Ulundi three days before, on the 24th, and Umtongo was -consequently most anxious that the column should at once return to the -Kambula. This advice, however, could not have been followed without -exposing Colonels Buller and Weatherly and Piet Uys, who were in front, -to be cut off and surrounded, so that it was decided that a junction -must be made with them at whatever risks. - -At half-past three a.m. the commanding officer ordered the word to be -quietly passed round for the men to stand to their horses and prepare to -march. An occasional and straggling ray of moonlight helped them to -follow the faint tracks of those who had gone before them, and before -going very far they came upon unmistakable evidences of the advance -having been opposed. A distant shot was now and then heard, away towards -the bluff of the mountain on the north-east side; and soon after these -indications of fighting was heard the sound of horses, and Colonel -Weatherly, with his son, and about eighty of his troopers, met Colonel -Wood, bringing him the news that on the previous night he had been -unfortunate enough to miss his road. As the morning was now breaking, -and the warm sun commenced to light up the scene, Colonel Wood noticed, -here and there on the path, a broken assegai, a damaged shield, rent -with a Martini-Henry rifle-bullet, and further on the bodies of some -Zulus and the carcass of a dead horse. These signs marked where Buller -had passed and had been attacked. Campbell and Lysons therefore ascended -the rocks above a huge cave, and, taking every precaution to screen -themselves from observation, scanned the surrounding horizon with the -field-glasses. Far away, almost upon the summit of an apparently -inaccessible and gigantic cliff, the van of Buller's column could be -seen slowly advancing, and driving some dark masses of cattle and Zulus -before them. These officers came down at once to report, and Colonel -Weatherly requested permission to lead his men on to Buller's -assistance, while Colonel Wood followed with the remainder of his -horsemen. This permission being granted, Weatherly moved on by a -terribly difficult path to the right, while the remainder kept to what -seemed to be the main track. About half a mile farther on this party -saw, a few hundred yards to the left, about 200 Zulus, who appeared to -be armed with rifles. They were moving rapidly across the English front, -stopping occasionally to take a shot at the leading files, who had, on -account of the difficulties of the road, been compelled to dismount and -lead their horses. The object of this detachment was now evident, it -being their intention to get between the main column and Weatherly's -little band. It was noticed that half a dozen gigantic warriors, each -armed with rifle, shield, and bundle of assegais, led the main body of -these Zulus. These men took it in turns to run in front, and were -evidently acting as guides, often enabling the rest to make short cuts, -and thus to get over the ground more quickly. They paused, however, now -and then, as if to examine the spoor of the horses, on which the -previous night's rain had fallen, and from this Colonel Wood concluded -that some of his people were in the same direction. By means of some -wild vine and creepers Lysons and one of the escort now descended from -the opposite side of the plateau on which was the cave, and running -rapidly along the top of the next ridge, made their way unseen to the -edge of the bush. They thus commanded the plain below, and the -serpentine pathway by which Buller had found his way to the summit of -the cliff. From this point Buller and his men could be seen scouring -the mountains beyond the intervening kloof, and about halfway up the -opposite ascent were observed a strong party of Zulus working forward as -if to cut off the horsemen above. As Weatherly and Colonel Wood were now -separated by a deep and impassable ravine, they could only hope that -they should be able to effect a junction with Buller by different -routes, and, if possible, in time to give effective help. Crouching down -so as not to be seen by the main column were a few of the enemy on a -narrow ledge of rock, about a hundred yards above their heads. Where -these fellows had come from it was not easy to imagine, but they -immediately opened a hot, but ill-directed fire, which the English -troopers did not at first return, as they were too much occupied in -guiding their horses over the dangerous places, where a single false -step would have sent them to the valley below. Meanwhile Umtongo and two -of his men had climbed round by a higher portion of the cliff, and, -guiding some of the English marksmen, they opened a fire upon the Zulu -scouts, which soon cleared them from the path. Another half-hour's -toilsome march brought Wood upon Weatherly's track, and they then could -see the rear of Buller's column high above them to the right. - -It would be difficult to describe the marvellously rugged and weird -nature of the rocks around, and the ghastly features of the sheer -precipices gaping on either side. Killed and wounded horses now were -seen at every turn of the road, showing how stoutly the enemy must have -held their ground, and how difficult an operation Buller had performed. -Sending fifty men round to work on our right flank and to endeavour to -take the Zulus in the rear, Colonel Wood kept his men for a few moments -under cover of a friendly ledge of rocks to look to their rifles, -girths, and ammunition, and then ascended rapidly to the front, passing -the Border Horse, who had by this time got off the track. The scene was -at this moment intensely exciting. The firing was almost continuous, and -the yells of the savages were re-echoed back by the loud and -heart-stirring cheers of their gallant comrades, who had seen Wood's -column coming and gave them this encouragement. It was not long before -they came under more direct fire, and at this juncture Colonel Wood, who -had been keeping his men cool and steady by his own presence of mind and -good-humoured encouragement, left Colonel Russell in charge, and jumping -upon his horse, as the ground was now practicable for riding, trotted -through the skirmishers, and, closely followed by his staff and escort, -pushed rapidly to the front. This party, with a dozen of the Border -Horse, galloped to within a hundred paces of the summit of the cliff, -where they saw that they were in the thick of the fire, raining upon -them both from front and flank, and proceeding from a mass of Zulus -skirmishing in the most artistic and workmanlike manner from their -caves, crevices, and enormous boulders which formed the natural -fortifications of the mountain plateau. At this moment Weatherly, with -his gallant and noble-hearted boy, aged only fifteen, and who insisted -on fighting by his father's side, were cheering on their men, dashing -boldly into the caves, and closing in mortal strife with the Zulus. -"Take a dozen men over to the cave to the right front, and rattle out -the fellows who are firing so well, Colonel Weatherly," said Colonel -Wood, as his horse staggered under him from a deep assegai wound in the -chest, and a savage from behind a boulder fired at that officer at ten -paces' distance. The bullet missed him, and Llewellen Lloyd, seeing the -man loading quickly again, at once rode to cut him down, and was shot -through the head. Wood, seeing this officer fall, dashed spurs into his -wounded horse and galloped up to catch him, closely followed by Ronald -Campbell. Two other Zulus from the cave now fired simultaneously at the -colonel, whose horse at this moment was again struck, and fell upon him. -The colonel was upon his feet in a moment, and assisted Captain Campbell -and his orderly to carry Lloyd's body to a ledge more out of the way. -The shot which killed poor Llewellen Lloyd tore Colonel Wood's sleeve -underneath his arm before reaching its mark. As Colonel Weatherly's men -were engaged with several Zulus at close quarters, some little delay -occurred in their advance upon the cave, whence the fire was most -galling; and Ronald Campbell, calling on Lysons and some of the escort -to follow him, dashed at the opening, having first cleared a sort of -breastwork at the entrance. Poor Campbell fell, shot through the head; -and Lysons and a brave fellow, Corporal Fowler, following closely upon -the footsteps of the brave young guardsman, killed the two remaining -Zulus within the cave, while another, severely wounded, managed to crawl -away through a narrow crevice in the rock. Having ascertained that the -enemy were retreating before Buller on the summit, Colonel Weatherly was -sent to make a small circuit lower down the cliff, to endeavour to hit -off the path by which the former had so successfully ascended, and -which the others were unfortunate enough to miss. Buller, in the -meanwhile, was not only driving the Zulus' cattle before him, but was -able to assist his comrades by his fire from his vantage-ground above. -The enemy in front and flank retired, disputing every available spot, -while Weatherly was most skilfully working round to their left rear. His -disposition of his men was most judicious, and he rendered very material -help to Wood's portion of the force, intercepting and driving back a -strong party which were coming up to assist the body they were engaging. -These, however, eventually took up a formidable position in some caves -in a deep kloof, from which they kept up a constant and dropping fire. -Amongst Wood's party they had up to this time but few casualties, though -the loss of such splendid and noble-hearted soldiers as Campbell and -Lloyd was a terrible blow to their chief, whose right hand men they -were. Colonel Wood, in spite of the galling fire still maintained by the -entrenched Zulus, assisted the party told off to carry the bodies of the -dead to a place about half way down the first hill, where, in disregard -of the bullets which kept rattling round, these noble young heroes were -buried in a soldier's glorious grave, the funeral honours being -discharged over them by the rifles of friend and foe. - -Colonel Wood now made a flank movement with a portion of the column in a -north-westerly direction, to see if a junction could be effected with -that portion of the men which had been left in the charge of Colonel -Russell. In effecting this change of position Wood had to pass under the -steepest cliffs of the Zlobani Mountain. Umtongo, true to his Rob Roy -and predatory instincts, had utilised his opportunity by a little -cattle-lifting, and, in spite of the rather hot time he had been -experiencing, was engaged in driving, with the aid of his people, a herd -of sheep and goats abandoned by the foe. As Wood's party were carrying -their wounded men, and now and then halted to give them stimulants, -their progress was necessarily slow, and this delay led to serious -consequences, for the large reinforcements they knew might arrive from -Ulundi later in the day had, without their knowledge, actually arrived, -and were marching parallel to their right front, and concealed from -sight. Umtongo was the first to discover the proximity of this hostile -array, and, although without an interpreter, Colonel Wood understood -enough of his language, aided by signs, to comprehend the gravity of the -situation. The colonel, having obtained a fresh horse, cantered across -some very broken ground to a high bluff just under the Zunguin's Neck, -and, guided by some of Oham's people, managed, not without considerable -difficulty, to reach a point upon a ledge of rock whence he could, -without a glass, see the movements and exact formation of the enemy's -force. The column was evidently the reinforcements expected from Ulundi, -and had a portion of the English column not missed its way on the night -of the 27th, it is tolerably certain they would have effected the object -of their raid and retreated to the shelter of the camp without much -loss. Wood knew of the despatch of this army on the 24th, but did not -calculate that it could have compassed the distance it marched in three -days. As matters stood, however, the colonel and his staff could see -from their coign of vantage that the Zulu army from Ulundi were -marching in a line of five contiguous columns, with a line of -skirmishers thrown out in front and on flank, forming the usual horns -and chest. From subsequent description given by Buller, it appears that -the first part of his task was successfully carried out; that the track -up the Zlobani was correctly hit off, the Zulu entrenched caves -triumphantly carried by storm, and a large quantity of cattle taken and -driven off. Had Wood's portion of the attack and that commanded by -Weatherly appeared on the scene of action in time to support Buller's -splendid onslaught, all would have gone well, but the delay caused by -their missing the track enabled the Zlobani followers of Umbelini and -Manyanyoba to hold their own ground until the arrival of the Ulundi -army. Buller did all that a skilled general could effect to bring off -his men with small loss, but from the nature of the ground it was in -this instance almost impossible for cavalry to work with any degree of -celerity. The mountain having been carried soon after daybreak, a long -off-saddle to feed the horses and an unavoidable delay of four hours -were made, to enable the main division to come up. Suddenly the immense -force of Zulus, seen by Wood from the Zunguin's Neck, was observed by -Colonel Buller and Oham's scouts. An immediate but orderly retreat was -commenced, but could not be effected without the most desperate fighting -and severe loss. The enemy had massed themselves on three sides of the -mountain, and only one terribly steep path was left to descend. This was -thoroughly blocked by the Zulus, who, under cover, rained bullets and -assegais upon these devoted men, and then, when the moment came for -close fighting, dashed in dense masses upon their thinned and weakened -files. Halfway down this fearful gorge the road was so narrow and so -steep that it was nearly closed up by the proximity of the tall cliffs -on either side. These hills seemed to be formed of smooth and slippery -ledges, over which many wounded men and horses fell, coming down upon -the points of the assegais waiting below to receive them! Caves, with -natural breastworks, like casemated batteries, were on either side of -the path, wet and slippery with blood. Colonel Wood was of opinion that -the Ulundi army did not follow up Buller's retreat for two reasons: -first, because its wonderful three days' march had in a great measure -exhausted the men, who came in such haste as to dispense with provisions -and spare ammunition; and secondly, on account of the powerful -demonstration the main or second division made on their flank even at -the eleventh hour. To the cool valour and devoted courage of Colonel -Buller the safety of those who came back to camp was due. He fought at -the rear of the retiring column, assisting the wounded, charged -desperately at the dense masses of fiery Zulus who were pressing on with -the thirst of blood, and not until he saw the last of his band through -this terrible kloof did he turn his horse to follow his men, or to think -of his own safety. - -Seeing that nothing more could be done to help Buller in his retreat, -Colonel Wood despatched a messenger to Colonel Russell, who by this time -had commenced the ascent of the extreme westerly point of the range, to -retrace his steps eastward, and to cover the retreat of the native -allies upon the camp. Russell lost no time in carrying out these -instructions, but before he could arrive several natives had been -overtaken and speared. The Kambula camp was reached by the column about -7.30. Buller, on learning that our gallant young friend Barton had not -returned, and was away on foot with the survivors of the Border Horse, -some ten miles off, at once obtained permission from Colonel Wood to go -in search of the party. The evening had set in stormy, and torrents of -rain were now coming down. Buller had been in the saddle for forty-eight -hours, was severely contused, and had escaped death by almost a miracle; -but setting a noble example, he obtained a party of volunteers, and -taking led horses, started on his expedition. Seven men, who would -probably have never reached the camp, were brought in by this gallant -act, and these were the sole survivors of Barton's Horse. It would seem -that in attempting to follow Wood's track in retiring they were -overtaken and cut off. They then attempted to retreat by the north and -the Hyntecha Kloof, where the majority died fighting gallantly to the -last. Splendid, manly, honest, simple, and taciturn Piet Uys, whose -father, uncles, and cousins fought and fell in the old wars with -Dingaan! On the evening of the 17th, after the conference in Wood's -tent, he spoke in the most feeling terms of his children, of whom, like -all Cape Dutchmen, he was passionately fond, and Colonel Wood, with that -thoughtful kindness for which he is so well known, at once said that, -should anything happen to the father, he would interest himself with the -Government to provide for the orphans. Piet Uys could have easily -escaped, but, like Buller, he would see the last of his men clear before -turning rein. He was last seen with his back to the cliff, standing -across the body of his favourite "mooi paard" (grey horse), with six -large Zulus lying dead in a circle round him, his empty revolver in his -left hand and his body pierced by two assegais! Colonel Weatherly's -Horse went into action about eighty strong, and of these brave fellows -forty-five were dead, including the gallant colonel and his brave, -intelligent, and handsome son, a lad of fifteen, who, at an age when -many an English youth is celebrated only in the cricket-field or on the -river, had seen more of real fighting than many a veteran in the -regulars. Nothing could be more sad than Weatherly's death. At the fatal -hour when all save honour seemed lost, he placed his beloved boy upon -his best horse, and kissing him on the forehead, commended him to -another Father's care above, and implored him to overtake the nearest -column of the English horse, which seemed at that time to be cutting its -way out. The boy clung to his father, and begged to be allowed to stay -by his side, and share his life or death. The contrast was -characteristic. The man, a bearded, bronzed, and hardy _sabreur_, with a -father's tears upon his cheek, while the blue-eyed and fair-haired lad, -with much of the beauty of a girl in his appearance, was calmly and with -a smile of fond delight loading his father's favourite carbine. When the -two noble hearts were last seen, the father, wounded to death with cruel -assegais, was clasping his boy's hand with his left, while the right cut -down the brawny savages who came to despoil him of his charge. - - * * * * * - -Though in all these operations of which mention has been lately made -Lord Chelmsford never once appears, it must not therefore be supposed -that he had rested from his labours. On the contrary they were more -incessant and arduous than ever. When the news of Isandhlwana first -reached the colonies, it caused the utmost excitement and wildest -apprehensions. Nothing less, it was averred, was about to happen than an -immediate and overwhelming invasion of Natal by the Zulus. The black men -were on the point of sweeping the whites into the sea. Lord Chelmsford's -first duty, after an urgent application to the home authorities for -reinforcements, was to render these alarms groundless. To organize of a -sudden the defence of so extended a frontier was no easy task. How -thoroughly and conscientiously it was performed the result testifies. - -Another duty scarcely less urgent was the rescue of Colonel Pearson. And -in this project he received aid, as valuable as unexpected, from the -Governor of St. Helena. No sooner did that official hear of Lord -Chelmsford's urgent need, than he at once assumed the responsibility of -sending on the garrison of his island--in all 160 soldiers--to the -rescue. Captain Bradshaw, of H.M.S. "Shah," chanced to be lying in the -harbour, homeward bound, after a period of foreign service, but he -hesitated not one whit more than the Governor. He embarked the garrison, -and on February 19th had anchored at Durban. There a naval brigade of -400 men was furnished from his ship; and thus it came about that long -before reinforcements from England could arrive, and on the day that -Zlobani was fought, Lord Chelmsford was already well on the way to -deliver Pearson from his captivity. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - Effects of Zlobani--Description of Kambula Camp--Desperate Zulu attack - thereon--Description of the battle--Deaths of Lieutenants Bright and - Nicholson--Gallant rescue by Captain Woodgate--Force and commanders - of the Zulu attack--Their losses--The English losses--Fortifications - at Kambula Kop--Block House--Arrival of despatches--Exciting scene. - - -Before Lord Chelmsford set out on his march, Colonel Pearson had sent -messengers to warn him that not less than 35,000 Zulus were lying in -ambush between the Tugela and Ekowe, in order to assail him as he -advanced to the relief of that post. Orders were therefore sent to -Colonel Wood to make an attack on the Zulu flank, and so to create a -diversion in favour of the relieving column. - -Accordingly, Wood advanced from his entrenched position at Kambula Kop -to the Zlobani mountain, where Umbelini's chief stronghold and kraal was -situated. This Wood assailed, and though after a sharp engagement, which -has been previously described, his forces received a decided check, yet -he may be said to have achieved a success, inasmuch as he undoubtedly -drew away a large part of the force that was intended to operate against -Lord Chelmsford. Another result of this battle was that it gave the -enemy sufficient encouragement to induce them to attack the English -troops on the following day in their position at Kambula, thus enabling -Wood to obtain a solid and decisive victory. - -From various incidents that came under his observation Colonel Wood -formed an opinion, subsequently verified by the event, that an attack -upon Kambula would not be long in following the check at Zlobani; a -vigilant look-out was therefore maintained during the whole of the night -of the 28th. The rain came down heavily during the early part of the -night, and shortly before dawn Captain Raaf was sent out with -twenty-five men to reconnoitre, and, if possible, pick up any wounded or -straggling. Zulus, who would give any information as to the movements of -the strong impi known to be in the immediate neighbourhood. About ten -a.m. Raaf sent in one of Oham's people--a most intelligent and witty -fellow--who gave a graphic account how he was captured when left behind -with the recovered cattle taken from Umbelini. Having taken off his -distinctive head-badge, although he was recognized by a friend, the -Zulus were not aware that he was one of Oham's people, or that he had -joined the English cause. On this account, therefore, he was allowed to -accompany the Zulu impi as far as Umsedosi. While with the enemy he -obtained a tolerably correct notion of their strength, and was -intelligent enough to remember the names and titles of the various corps -sent from Ulundi, and, indeed, of those which were retained by the king. -Cetywayo, he said, had divided his entire military available force into -three formidable columns of four regiments each. One of these, -consisting of the Naxeane, the Umdomandi, the Ucaridanburg, and the -Macalsiene, was sent without commissariat, and by forced marches from -Ulundi on the 24th March, and part of this column, but not all, was -engaged with Umbelini against Wood at Zlobani on the 28th. This column -numbered at the least 20,000 men, and was well supplied with arms of -precision. Four regiments were retained at Ulundi as a bodyguard and -garrison to the king, and the remaining four were told off to attack -Lord Chelmsford at or near Ekowe. Very early on the morning of the 29th, -Oham's friendly Zulu, feeling anxious about his own safety, persuaded -some of the Zulu braves to accompany him some distance from their camp, -under the pretence of obtaining them some drink. Taking a favourable -opportunity, however, he managed to elude their vigilance and give them -the slip, when he made the best of his way to Raaf's party, who at once -sent him on to the Kambula camp, with the information given above. This -fellow gave an admirable account of the state of feeling in the Zulu -armies, and his opinion was that great numbers of the men were now -serving entirely against their will, as they found that, instead of -getting plenty of booty in the shape of cattle, stores, arms, and -ammunition, they were the losers, as during their absence with the army -the English attacked their kraals, and carried off their oxen, sheep, -and goats. This man, although quite a chief at Oham's kraal, would seem -to be a sort of headman, and to be in the habit of conversing familiarly -with those in authority; for, he added, that it was rumoured that -Dabulamanzi would, if another reverse fell upon the Zulu arms, in all -probability follow Oham's example, and proffer submission. - -On receiving the intelligence of the Zulu advance, Colonel Wood had few -preparations to make, for in the camp at Kambula each corps, each -company, each subdivision, each section, and each man had a place -allotted, and had been taught to be in that place at one sound of the -bugle. The little fort was in an exceptionally strong position, being -laid out upon an elevated and narrow ridge of table-land. A complete -precipice, perfectly inaccessible to a white man, even though a born -cragsman, guarded the right flank. On the left a succession of steep -terraces had been utilised, and carefully entrenched with lines _en -crémaillère_, or outworks, each successive line defilading its -neighbour. In front there was a narrow slip of land, hemmed in by ledges -of rock, and swept by two 7-pounders, while immediately in rear, upon an -eminence about 120 feet above the fort was a small _lunette_, with open -gorge, and armed with two guns. The camp at first consisted of one -laager, but an outer defence with a hundred waggons, and an inner one -with fifty, had been subsequently added. Deep and wide ditches flanked -by _caponnières_ protected the outer boundary, and were traced in the -form of an irregular hexagon. As soon as Oham's Zulu had made his -report, the garrison were called to arms without the slightest fuss, -excitement, or confusion, and messengers were at once despatched to -order the return of a fatigue party which had been sent out in the early -morning wood-cutting. These men reported on their return that they had -seen Zulus scouting about five miles to the west, and had they not been -recalled they would have stayed to get further intelligence. As soon as -the men of the various corps were at their posts, Colonel Wood rode -round to give them a few final words of encouragement, saying in -conclusion, that he knew they would hold the fort while a man was left -to fire a shot. The tents were then struck, and the men lined the -shelter-trenches. The horses stood to their bridles, and the ammunition -was served out by fatigue parties told off for this duty. Most of the -waggon-drivers had been taught to use the Martini, and a few were served -out to each face of the laager. - -It was now nearly eleven a.m., and shortly after that time the Zulu -battalions were seen on the base of the hill. Here they halted for a -considerable time, and apparently a council of war was held. Their -movements were evidently not so decided as on former occasions, and it -was more than an hour before any forward measure was taken. The cattle -had been brought into camp, with the exception of about 220 which had -strayed away towards the enemy, and it could be seen that the Zulu chief -had detached a portion of his men to secure these animals. On this -movement being noticed, Colonel Buller was ordered out to reconnoitre, -and to see if any opening offered for a charge upon the detached body of -the enemy, but no chance presenting itself, the cavalry retired, and -took up an excellent position on the north front of the camp. A flanking -movement was now made by a body of Zulus, numbering about 7000 men. -These regiments broke from line into column, and ran at a tremendous -pace along a ledge situated at the commencement of the cultivated land. -As the object of this man[oe]uvre was evidently to entice the cavalry to -attack upon broken and difficult ground, Buller and Russell very wisely -restrained their men from attempting any sortie. The Zulus were in range -by this time, but it was thought desirable to reserve all fire until -they were massed in closer order. It was nearly half-past one when the -action actually commenced, and it was opened by a cloud of skirmishers, -who, fed by supports and reserves, began to scale the north front of the -English post. Here, behind the outermost line of entrenchments, Buller -and Russell dismounted a portion of their men, and each trooper being -cautioned to select his object and fire steadily, some excellent -rifle-practice was made. No sooner did a head or a shield appear above a -rock, a boulder, or a tuft of grass, than the "ping" of the deadly -Martini-Henry rang out, and in nine cases out of ten there was an enemy -the less to encounter. Some portion of the band of the gallant but lost -Piet Uys, had been sent to reinforce Buller's attenuated squadron, and -these men particularly distinguished themselves as highly-skilled -marksmen. Many of these Boers still retained their old national weapon, -the long single-barrelled _roer_, carrying an enormous bullet, suited -for the destruction of big game. There is no doubt that, in the hands of -a South African Dutchman, this is a terrible weapon. The conical bullet, -perhaps, has a greater power of penetration, but the larger ball of the -old-fashioned fire-arm, which in appearance is not unlike a huge -duck-gun, inflicts a wound which rarely fails to kill. These splendid -Dutchmen shot with all the skill that hatred of the savages and a desire -for vengeance for their late leader could teach, and there could be -noticed on the countenance of each a sterner expression and a more -deadly resolve than usual. From the little fort a gun was now brought -to bear upon the advancing line, but without much effect, as an -intervening spur gave shelter to the foe. The attack was now renewed on -the north side with redoubled vigour; the lines of skirmishers fell -back, and were replaced by a more solid line, supported by the usual -dense column in its rear. Buller saw that it became necessary to remount -his men, and this movement of course weakened the effect of his fire. He -retired, however, slowly, halting now and then, and sending a volley -into the masses which kept pouring up the slopes. Major Russell, at this -juncture, executed a brilliant dash at a body of Zulus who were running -in an easterly direction to gain possession of a ledge of rock, and, -catching them on a favourable piece of ground, with about a score of his -men managed to sabre a great many without the loss of one trooper. This, -however, did not suffice to check the steady advance, and orders were -sent for Buller and Russell to retire slowly within the laager, their -retreat being splendidly covered by Colonel Gilbert and four companies -of his fine regiment, the 13th, who were posted on the right rear of the -laager. One company of the 13th, under Captain Cox, an officer of former -Cape experience, held the cattle laager, which gave a splendid flanking -fire along the front, and these men waited until the Zulus were within -300 yards, and then commenced an independent file firing at the same -time that Gilbert's men delivered a withering volley. As Cox and his men -could not see the right rear, to which point the principal Zulu attack -had now changed, a skilful counter-attack was ordered by Colonel Wood, -who directed Major Hackett to take a couple of companies of the 90th -Light Infantry to advance over the slope, and open a cross-fire upon the -enemy. This movement was magnificently carried out by Hackett, whose men -moved out into the open as if on parade, and with a steady advance, such -as British troops are proud of, marched on to the rear of the cattle -laager, taking the Zulus completely by surprise. Nothing could be better -than the calm and deliberate firing of these men. Every shot told with -deadly effect, and dark bodies and shields soon began to dot the ground. -Still, however, the living stream rolled on, and as one warrior went -down in the death-struggle, another, with a shout of vengeance, sprang -into his place. - -It was now a little after two o'clock, and while this attack upon the -left rear had been progressing, another strong body of the enemy had -succeeded in gaining an eminence from which, although at a long range, -they were enabled to keep up an effective fire and inflict considerable -loss upon the British troops. Captain Woodgate, of Ashanti fame, who had -been sent to support Major Hackett, together with his lieutenant -(Strong), here behaved with conspicuous coolness and valour. These three -officers advancing well in front of their men and waving their swords -above their heads, showed such an example to their men that the Zulus -were driven back on that side, the ground intervening being strewed with -bodies of Zulus. A difficult and brilliantly led flanking attack was now -effected by the Zulu general, who, having retired a body of his best -marksmen from his right along his rear, suddenly opened a galling fire -upon the left flank of the 90th companies, who, having accomplished -their task, were now ordered to retire. In executing this difficult -movement Major Hackett was badly hit, and had to be carried out of fire. -Lieutenant Bright, also of the 90th Light Infantry, was here mortally -wounded, and shortly afterwards died. Bright was a clever, cheery -fellow, a capital artist, a good musician, and a most accomplished -officer. It was in running forward to pick up Hackett that poor Bright -received his death-wound. Meanwhile, from the lunette on the height, -Nicholson's two 7-pounders did capital execution. The Zulu main body had -now come within range, and grape and canister were poured into their -masses until the slopes over which they were advancing became slippery -with blood. Standing on the parapet, Nicholson was, field-glass in hand, -directing the pointing of his guns, when a chance bullet struck him in -the temple, and he fell upon the weapon he was directing. The loss was -observed from the laager, and Major Vaughan was at once sent to replace -this gallant young fellow. Colonel Wood, not to expose unduly the horses -of the artillery, had retained under the shelter of the laager four guns -in reserve. These were under charge of Major Tremlett, R.A., who, with -his subalterns, Lieuts. Bigge and Hughes, waited until the Zulus were -within a thousand yards, and then making a dash to a small open space of -rising ground outside the laager, worked his battery with immense -effect. The guns did not return to the laager, but were shifted from -time to time as the movements of the enemy warranted, and to their -splendid service much of the victory was due. The enemy had now varied -his attack a second time, and nothing could exceed the bravery and -skilful man[oe]uvring of his regiments. While the 13th and 90th vied -with each other in noble rivalry, and beat back the hordes of the Zulus -upon the two most exposed flanks, the mounted men under Buller and -Russell were occasionally led forward at a gallop by Colonel Wood, who, -whenever he saw an opening for a charge, swept down and drove the -skirmishers on to the main body. These brilliant charges became more -frequent as the day advanced, and their effect upon the savages, -unaccustomed to cavalry, was beyond all expectation. At three o'clock a -hot cross-fire was opened upon a company commanded by Captain Woodgate, -who had been holding a point which was in a measure the key of the -position, as it commanded the only practicable road to the upper -lunette, which, as has been explained, was open at the gorge. The enemy -still held the range which they had occupied during the earlier portion -of the day, and Woodgate was ordered to retire under cover of the fire -from two of Tremlett's guns, which had now taken a favourable position -for shelling the height. After one or two shots had been fired, a shell -was dropped into the midst of the party holding this position, and this -had a most useful effect, for the other gun coming into action at the -same range, drove the enemy's skirmishers to ground much farther off. -For another hour and a half the troops continued to be hotly engaged -with the enemy, who, when dislodged from one flank, swept round in the -most perfect order, and swarmed in masses upon another side. A message -now arrived from Colonel Gilbert, to the effect that he could spare -Captain Cox and a company from his flank, as the enemy's fire was -slackening, and they were gradually extending their line to the right -rear. Cox had been hit early in the action, but refused to leave his -men, and led them on gallantly till the day was won. - -At half-past four the Zulu general seemed to concentrate his principal -attention upon the northern side held by the 13th, and some desperate -rushes were made almost up to the muzzles of the English rifles. Colonel -Wood rode up, and complimented Colonel Gilbert upon the splendid firing -of his men, and he was at once greeted with a ringing cheer, which was -heard by the enemy. All sides of the laager had been in turn attacked, -and soon after half-past four a simultaneous advance was made on the -north and north-east face. An enfilade fire, however, was made by a -couple of Tremlett's guns, and the 7-pounder directed by Bigge did great -execution at 800 yards. Some of the bodies afterwards examined on the -north-east face were found to be literally blown to pieces. The Zulus at -this time were working round from the right-hand hill, and here, -unfortunately, a few large boulders gave them cover. The soldiers were -here almost on a line with the enemy, who in other places were below and -above them. They had therefore to keep a sharp look-out that the enemy -did not break through the line and penetrate the laager. They therefore -kept pouring in a heavy cross-fire upon them at 200 and 300 yards, while -the guns were defilading them on the right. The enemy could not stand -this treble fire, and, though disputing the ground step by step, began -reluctantly to retire. Colonel Wood at once sent messengers to the -lunette, to open upon them as they passed underneath. At this period -Lieutenants Smith and Lysons, seeing some Zulus advancing to assegai a -wounded soldier of the 13th, who was lying under fire in the open, -rushed out, and, led by Captain Woodgate, carried the man under shelter. -In performing this gallant action Smith was badly wounded, and -Woodgate's helmet was smashed by a bullet. Surgeons O'Reilly, Brown, and -their staff, one and all exposed themselves freely in attending to the -wounded who could not be moved out of fire. Soon after five o'clock it -became evident that the Zulu fire was beginning to fail, and the English -commander at once led a company of the 13th to the right rear of the -cattle laager, where the cattle had been for some time exposed to the -fire from the hill. A little later on Captains Cox and Persse were taken -by Colonel Wood to the edge of the krantzes on the right front of the -cattle laager, where the discomfited and disheartened Zulus were -retiring from the direct fire. Cox extended his men along the slopes, -while Persse occupied a higher ridge, and thus a double-banked and -deadly fire was opened upon the retiring enemy. Having driven the Zulus -over the edge of the hill, the two companies followed them up in a -splendid manner; Cox, although suffering greatly from his wound and loss -of blood, leading on his men in the most gallant style to the best -points for continuing the fire. Word was now sent to Buller and Russell -to mount their men and pursue; and the mule battery opened "action -deft," and played upon the devoted Zulus, the regiment of Macalooroo, -under Umlinoya, suffering most. Buller's gallant fellows nobly avenged -their slaughtered comrades of the previous day, and for more than seven -miles the broken Zulu army was chased like a flock of sheep. - -It was subsequently ascertained that the attacking Zulu force consisted -of nine regiments sent from Ulundi--making a force of 23,000--and of -Umbelini's mercenaries; together forming a total of not less than -25,000. Tyangwayo was in chief command, whilst Umbelini held the next -rank. The latter having retreated in the direction of the Upper Pongolo -Drift, was subsequently pursued and killed by a patrol under the command -of Captain Prior, of the 80th Regiment. A wounded prisoner of some -importance, by name Waishlahla, who was brought into camp on the 2nd, -pointed out to Colonel Wood the bodies of Mubalawa and Maheitjesa, sons -of Mnyame, killed on the 29th; and this man said that he knew that -Mabuna, son of Umbangasita, Makweli, son of Umlandela, Ummensododo, son -of Umfoonsa, and Tyangwayo, his brother, were also killed on that day, -together with, according to the Zulu estimate, above 3000 of the king's -bravest and best men! There is little reason to suppose that these -figures are exaggerated; for 1500 bodies lay about the vicinity of the -camp on the night of the 29th, though in the morning many were gone. - -The sad duty of burying their own dead and the bodies of the enemies -occupied the troops nearly the whole of the week following upon the -attack upon the Kambula camp. During the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of April -above 800 Zulus were buried, while others were subsequently found in the -caves and krantzes near. There were also 326 fire-arms picked up, -amongst which were recognized one Snider belonging to the Artillery, -and 16 Martini-Henrys belonging to the 24th and 80th Regiments. Lieut. -Bright, 90th Light Infantry, Lieut. Nicholson, R.A., Mr. Ferreira, -interpreter, seven privates 13th Light Infantry, ten privates 90th Light -Infantry, and one colour-sergeant, two Frontier Light Horse, and one of -Buller's Horse were interred on the day following the attack, the -service being read in the most impressive manner by General Wood. -Wounded Zulus were for some days continually brought into the camp; and -these men, as soon as they found that their wounds were attended to, and -that the soldiers were kind to them, became most communicative. They -said that Cetywayo had sent all his available men, with the exception of -two of his favourite regiments, retained as a bodyguard. These prisoners -also all agreed in setting down the Zulu losses on the 28th and 29th at -3000 men. - -When such individual and numerous acts of bravery were exhibited, it -seems superfluous to pick out any special cases; but it would be wrong -not to particularly mention the name of Captain Woodgate, whose -gallantry and _sang-froid_ were the theme of the whole garrison. During -the whole of the action, and while carrying orders from the camp to the -fort, he was more exposed than any other officer, and on more than one -occasion he deliberately risked his life to save wounded men from being -assegaied. To Colonel Buller also the same praise must be accorded for -his self-devotion at Zlobani and the heroic manner in which he exposed -himself in carrying off wounded men from the very midst of the enemy. - -The situation being in every way so admirably adapted to military -requirements, it was now resolved to make a permanent station at the -Kambula Kop; and new works were day by day added to those already -completed. Four well-constructed magazines were built in hollow and -sheltered spots, yet close to the guns. Each magazine was lined with -wooden frames, with splinter-proof timbers to cover the top, while -sheeting planks were placed round the sides and passages. These frames -were all perpendicular to the length of the passage--that is to say, -across its breadth and about two feet apart. Eight feet thickness of -earth was placed over the roof of each magazine, while a stout tarpaulin -was stretched over the splinter-proofs to guard against the wet. Gabions -were sunk to act in the place of cesspools, and receive the drainage, -while a small parapet guarded the entrance to the passage, with a small -hole through which ammunition was handed out. Twenty men, in relays, -were detailed for this work--that is to say, for each magazine--and -although they were to a certain extent unskilled labourers, the officers -taught them in such an excellent manner that the four magazines were -completed in twenty-four hours. The ditches round the fort were so deep -that bridges had to be made, part of which was permanent and part -movable. Four entrances into the fort were left, seven feet wide, so as -to admit the guns and waggons when supplies arrived. These entrances -were closed by rifle-proof doors and gates made of strong planks, -strengthened by cross-beams, and lined inside with thin sheet iron and -raw bullock hides. These hides formed an admirable substitute for sheet -iron, as they were quite bullet-proof and not liable to be set on fire. -Two more ditch _caponnières_ were also added, to give increased flanking -fire. The _terreplein_ of each of these works was sunk, so that the -loopholes were within one foot and a half of the level of the ditch. -This method had many advantages, and provided for the trick adopted by -the Zulus of lying down in the ditches and counterfeiting death, until -an opportunity is afforded for rushing at the parapet. A large supply of -brushwood was usefully employed to improve the drains under the -parapets, which suffered severely from the continued wet weather. During -spare hours the men were never idle, and from the brigadier downwards -every officer was encouraged to employ his leisure in instructing the -men in every species of field-defence. Gabions for revêtements, -fascines, hurdles, sandbags, sods, pickets, _chevaux-de-frise_ -palisades, and small shell _fougasses_ occupied the surplus hours not -devoted to drill, recreation, and rest, and the few engineers belonging -to the garrison declared that as pupils the volunteers at this work were -beyond compare. - -As in the last action it was found that the enemy were enabled to -considerably annoy the troops by occupying some neighbouring eminences, -the interior works were strengthened with considerable skill. The -parapets were raised, extra traverses erected, and the _terreplein_ -sunk. The faces of the work were also made more nearly perpendicular to -the enemy's possible fire. Shelter-pits for skirmishers were dug in all -directions. These trenches being only required upon sudden emergencies -were not made large, being only two feet wide by a foot and a half deep, -and with a parapet built so as to reach a height of a foot and a half. -These gave room and partial shelter to a couple of men, and to each spot -the best marksmen were told off. Horse trenches were also constructed, -so that these animals could be sheltered from musketry fire. These were -twenty-four yards in rear of the line of the infantry trench, and were -five feet long, three feet wide at top, and two feet wide at bottom, -with ramps, with a slope of one-half at each end. The parapets of these -trenches were three feet high, with a thickness of two feet at the top. -Half a dozen men could make such a trench in half an hour. These -shelter-trenches were not so neatly dressed as the models to be seen at -Chatham or Portsmouth, but they were pre-eminently workmanlike. They -followed the contour of the rather broken ground, and were so made that -cavalry could easily advance over them. At the intervals for this -advance each trench overlapped its neighbour. - -In contemplation of the removal of the waggons as soon as the advance -should be made, roughly-built block-houses, made of contiguous logs -placed vertically and quite bullet-proof, were constructed to substitute -the shelter afforded by the former. The logs were twelve feet long, and -three feet of this were buried in the ground, the buried ends being -spiked into transverse beams; roughly-hewn beams formed the roofs, and -over these was placed brushwood covered with four feet of earth. Green -timber, of which there was an undiminished supply, was used, and, when -necessary, this was covered with raw hides to prevent danger from fire. -Now, as the enemy had no artillery, and was not likely to understand its -employment, even if provided with the guns captured at Isandhlwana, no -defence could be more suitable. An ordinary work could, it was found, be -often defiladed from a neighbouring height, while a well-made -blockhouse, with carefully prepared roof, was, in every case, -impregnable to rifle-fire. The plan for the roofs was as follows:--The -young trees or branches were placed with the roots and thick ends -inwards, while the smaller ends, sharpened and shaved down thin, were -allowed to project over the walls of the building till they reached to -within three feet of the ground. These boughs, if thin and with smaller -branches between them, would not allow the means for climbing on the -roof, should the Zulus attempt it, as they would not bear the weight of -a crowd of men. In positions where the blockhouse could not be commanded -by any neighbouring height, the roof was made flat and surrounded with a -parapet of earth, so as to afford a second tier of fire. - -Whilst these works were in progression, and some few days after the -battles of Zlobani and Kambula, some officers sitting upon a coign of -vantage at an elevated part of the fort, suddenly descried three dark -figures with shields and assegais coming at a rapid trot towards their -southern front, along the hunting-road which leads from the Blood river -and the Buffalo. At first they seemed steadily progressing, as if -wishing to make a quick journey, but under no apprehension of pursuit. -As they moved quickly on they were lost sight of in the bush, and as the -surrounding country was made up of wooded krantzes and dark ravines, in -which an army might lie concealed, it was not likely that they would be -seen again for some time. Away, however, a little to the right of where -these men had passed, was quickly seen a larger party, consisting of -about a score of savages, evidently in pursuit of the first-named -runners. Their shields were flourished aloft, and their assegais waved -in triumph as they followed the spoor of the first party, who had -evidently taken to the bush as the most effectual way of escaping the -keen eyes of their pursuers. Finding no traceable spoor which they could -with certainty follow, they became suspicious, and commenced retracing -their steps; and while this was being accomplished the three runners -were seen to emerge cautiously towards the crest of the left krantz, now -holding a good start of the pursuing party. While they came steadily on -in the direction of the camp, however, a keen-sighted scout, who had -taken the precaution to climb a huge rock which jutted out above the -gorge, saw the quarry, and announced his success by discharging his -rifle, and waving the assegai in the direction of the fugitives, whom it -was now believed were messengers bringing despatches. - -The Zulu, it should be borne in mind, is a born athlete; usually until -forty or fifty, and rich, he is a spare man, with scarcely an ounce of -superfluous flesh about him, and kept in continual training by constant -exertion and no excess of food. He can, as a rule, at a moment's notice -take a letter or small packet and run his eight or ten miles, or even -walk his seventy or eighty, without breaking down. The ground over which -the pursued were running was grassy veldt, while that upon which were -the pursuers was sprinkled with low thorn-bushes, mixed with rocks and -gravel. The pursuing party, however, were evidently the fresher of the -two, while the messengers looked like men who were at the tail of a long -journey. The foremost party came struggling on until they reached some -clumps of thorn-trees, which, affording cover, were taken advantage of -to recover breath and observe the enemy's proceedings. The chase was now -getting most exciting. Both the chased and the chasers were plainly -visible to those in the camp, while the former only could observe their -enemies. Noting here and there a footprint, which served to show them -that they were on the right track, the Zulus in pursuit dashed down the -ravine and some distance beyond where the three had doubled. The whole -party went nearly 300 yards before the leaders halted in consequence of -finding no spoor, and they then spread out like hounds in a fox cover to -find some signs of their quarry. - -It was really wonderful, the rapid and dashing manner in which these -human bloodhounds strove to hit off the trail, while, having regained -their wind, the pursued trio moved on, not in great haste, but quietly -and with a considerable amount of care, that they might not be seen by -their enemies. For this purpose they now moved with the utmost caution -over a ridge, and entered the wooded valley which lay at the foot of the -kop, whereon stood the fort, being there completely out of sight of the -pursuers, who were still puzzling over the spoor. The messengers--aware -that they were encountering a double risk, as they knew that the wood -into which they had gone would probably contain Zulu scouts sent to -watch the fort, and who might have seen and laid in ambuscade for -them--therefore trotted quickly across till they came to a somewhat open -plain, with a line of willow-like trees, evidently denoting the banks of -a stream. Knowing that the pursuers in rear would be only temporarily -puzzled by the loss of spoor, they therefore decided that the least risk -would be incurred by making a final rush across the open road. Waiting -for a moment to decide for what part of the stream they should make, -they took a rapid glance around, and then made a sudden bolt for the -plain. Scarcely 200 yards had been crossed when a terrific yell broke -out from the pursuers, denoting that the pursued had been discovered by -the Zulus in rear, who immediately sent a couple of scouts to the -heights, the better to watch which side of the plain the messengers -would make for. These scouts at once shouted to the party below, and, -joining them, the whole body was quickly in pursuit. The messengers had, -however, almost 500 yards' start, and had obtained their "second wind." -They knew, therefore, that, if not lamed by a chance shot, they would -probably get over the river and under the guns of the fort before they -could be overtaken. How or where to cross the river they seemed not to -know, as in some places it is deep and wide, and in others shallow, with -marshy banks and long weed-like grasses. Here and there, also, the -stream bubbles and boils through deep gorges where only a baboon could -ascend or descend. Seeing the willow-looking trees, the stout runners -fortunately concluded that the water would be deep where they grew, and -they wisely chose another part where low bushes prevailed, and where -there were indications of a rapid slope in the ground, which would give -them shelter in crossing. The pursuers were about 350 yards behind when -the runners reached the bank, which they found steep and rocky, the -stream itself running rapidly over a stony bed. Although, like most -Zulus, these messengers could swim well, they could not swim safely -encumbered with a heavy gun, a bunch of assegais, a shield, and a heavy -leathern mailbag, nor could they calculate on reaching the opposite bank -without being shot at while so encumbered. On examining the bed of the -river, they decided that it could be waded, and that if not, drowning -was a more preferable death than torture in the king's kraal, which, if -found with letters upon them, was sure to be their fate. They instantly -decided, therefore, to cross. - -Meanwhile those in the camp had not been idle, for half a dozen of -Buller's men, known marksmen, were despatched to a point where they -could command the drift and catch the pursuing party _en flagrant délit_ -if they attempted to follow too closely. A few minutes' interval and a -smart canter brought eight rifles in all to a favourable spot, where, -unseen by the enemy, they could watch the proceedings of both friend and -foe, and materially assist the crossing and escape of the former. -Quietly dismounting, and placing two men, both as vedettes and in charge -of the horses, the remainder took up position and waited for the -_dénouement_ of this somewhat exciting little episode. Not long indeed -had they to wait. As the quick-scented harrier changes from scent to -view, and gives melodious tongue as the quarry is in sight, so dashed on -the pursuing white shields right up to the banks of the stream, and -looking for a moment at the troubled waters, seemed to hesitate what -course to pursue, imagining perhaps that some ambush was intended. -Meanwhile the messengers had effected the crossing in safety, though not -without difficulty. Taking up more tightly the straps that bound the -mailbags to their naked bodies, and with their rifles in one hand and -shields and assegais in the other, they scrambled like cats down the -bank, selecting those points where most ripples appeared upon the water, -and managed thus to wade to the opposite bank. The depth was in no part -greater than to cover them above the waist, although the rush of the -stream was so rapid as to render a foothold difficult. As soon as they -found themselves all in the water, they linked arms in some peculiar -manner and thus opposed a successful barrier to the current, which -otherwise, and if taken singly, would have been too much for them. Half -a dozen Zulus who had outstripped their comrades were the first to enter -the stream in pursuit, which at the point where they took it was not so -favourable, and about fifty yards in width. - -Though magnificent specimens of their race, burly and brawny, of immense -chest depth and breadth of shoulder, the men in the stream could only -advance at a slow pace in consequence of the slippery nature of the -rocks and stones on which they had to tread, and on account of the rapid -nature of the stream. So entirely were they absorbed in the excitement -of the chase that they seemed to have no idea of encountering any risks -as they ventured into the river. - -The main body of the pursuers meantime lined the banks, lustily cheering -on their more adventurous comrades. Suddenly there rang out the -simultaneous reports of half a dozen rifles, and as the smoke cleared -away two or three arms raised above the blood-dyed waters of the -torrent, which whirled the bodies of the baffled Zulus down and away -from view, testified to the skill of the marksmen. As the surviving -savages regained the opposite bank they gave a yell of defiance, which -was answered by a volley which rendered several others _hors de combat_. -The horsemen then mounted, and rode down to meet the rescued runners, -who turned out to be messengers from headquarters, and the bearers of -most welcome despatches from the Commander-in-Chief to General Wood, in -which his lordship, in the most cordial, kind, and flattering manner, -sent his congratulations and thanks to the latter, and those under his -command, for the manner in which his camp had been defended in the last -attack. A general parade was at once ordered, and the commander having -formed up the entire force--horse, foot, artillery, and native -contingent--read out in firm and ringing tones the welcome and -honourable terms in which his lordship had expressed himself. By -permission of the commandant three ringing cheers for the Queen were -then given, followed by three as hearty for the Commander-in-Chief. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - Organization of column for relief of Ekowe--The march--Heliographic - signals--Camp at Ginghilovo--Disposition of the troops--Zulu - advance--The battle--English victory--Death of Colonel - Northey--English losses--Zulu force and loss--Relief of - Ekowe--Meeting of Pearson and Chelmsford--State of Ekowe - garrison--Barrow's cavalry raid on Dabulamanzi's kraal--British - sentry firing on British troops. - - -We must now turn attention to Lord Chelmsford and his plan for the -relief of Ekowe. Tenedos was the base from which he purposed starting; -the distance between this and Ekowe, even by the short route discovered -and improved by Pearson, is a good thirty-three miles. To accomplish -this distance in wet weather and with almost insuperable difficulties in -the way of transport was no light task. However, by the 27th of March -all was ready for a start, and the relieving column set out in the -following order. The vanguard was composed of the Naval Brigade, formed -of the seamen and marines of her Majesty's ships "Shah" and -"Tenedos"--640 men and two Gatlings; the 91st Regiment (ten companies), -900 men; 99th Regiment (five companies), 400 men; 3rd Buffs (two -companies), 180 men; Mounted Infantry, 150 men; Mounted Native -Contingent, 200 men; Native Infantry Contingent, 1600 men--making a -total of 3720 infantry and 350 cavalry. This leading division was -commanded by Colonel Law, R.A. The second or rearward division, under -the command of Colonel Pemberton, was composed of the bluejackets and -sailors of the "Boadicea," 200 men and one Gatling; 37th Regiment, 900 -men; 3rd battalion 60th Rifles, 900 men; and two troops of mounted -natives--thus giving a total of 2060 infantry and 190 cavalry--the two -divisions making a grand aggregate of 6320 men, with 9-pounders and -rocket-tubes. The convoy was made as small and compact as was compatible -with the necessary carriage of supplies for the Ekowe garrison, and no -tents were taken, each man being allowed only a blanket and a waterproof -sheet. Still the waggons numbered 113, and there were also fifty Scotch -carts on two wheels, and fifty-six pack-mules. Each waggon was strongly -spanned, having twenty oxen instead of the usual eighteen. Two hundred -rounds of ball cartridge per man were issued, each soldier carrying -seventy rounds in his pouches, and the remaining 130 being carried in -reserve by the pack-mules. These waggons and pack-animals marched in the -closest possible order, and were capitally flanked and guarded by -Nettleton's Native Contingent on the right, and that commanded by Barton -on the left. In spite of the comparative smallness of the convoy, Lord -Chelmsford managed to bring with him not only full supplies for the -fort, but twelve days' complete rations for his own column. Most of the -baggage was brought across the Tugela on the 28th, and, in spite of the -flooded state of the river; no casualty occurred. The rain did not cease -till daybreak on the 29th, when the passage was completed. It must be -borne in mind that the Tugela at Fort Pearson, where the column -crossed, is more than 600 yards wide, and it is then possible to -estimate the difficulties encountered at the outset and before the -journey could be fairly said to commence. But there were willing hands -and zealous hearts to carry out Lord Chelmsford's minute and ever -thoughtful instructions. No detail, even of the smallest, was omitted or -forgotten by him, and with such men as Commissary-General Strickland, -Surgeon-Major Tarrant, and his dozen assistant-surgeons, as well as -Commissary Walton and Transport Officers Lawrence and Findlay, things -were bound to go well. - -The first plan was to force a passage through to Ekowe with all possible -despatch consistent with the safety of the column and its convoy, and -then, having exchanged the garrison and having provisioned the brave -little fortress for a month, to form another and corresponding post on -the Inyezani hills, leaving the latter munitioned for a similar period. - -But this plan was afterwards considerably modified. On the first day's -march no difficulties as to enemy or transport were experienced, the -weather had cleared, and the road from the Tugela to Amatikula was far -better than expected. Giving up all idea of the road by which Pearson -had originally advanced when he first marched inland, Lord Chelmsford, -following Colonel Pearson's advice, determined to move by the coast -road, which crossed much more open country, was far more adapted for -wheeled transport, and, indeed, for the march of all three arms, while -it afforded fewer opportunities for the Zulus to attempt surprise. So -satisfactory was the road on the first day's march that the only wonder -was that it had not been previously destroyed by the Zulus. In fact, the -column had made good more than half the distance before any serious -difficulties began. It will be seen in the map that at the villages of -Inyoni and Amatikula their respective rivers cross the old road. Now, -these rivers cross the coast road as well as the main road, flowing from -west to east, and several halts at these two places are mentioned; it is -not intended to refer to these villages, but simply to the encampments -on the banks of the rivers of the same name. - -On the arrival of the column at the Inyoni and Amatikula rivers the -waggons were carefully packed in laager, and a well-made ditch and -parapet formed around the camp. Sentries were posted at the various -angles, and outlying piquets thrown well forward. No noise, or even loud -talking was allowed, and the bivouac, for it could scarcely be called a -camp, was each night as silent as a grave-yard. Two miles beyond the -Zulu bank of the Tugela good camping-ground was passed, but the troops -pushed on without any difficulty to the Inyoni river, finding the road -very good, although a little heavy for the waggons, from the rains. They -were so lightly laden, however, that the drivers managed to get the oxen -along at a fair pace, the waggons marching four, and sometimes six -abreast. Scarcely any water was met with, but numerous Zulu kraals were -passed, so streams or wells must have been in the neighbourhood. The -country through which the column passed was very open, affording no -cover, except between three miles south of Inyoni and the banks of the -river, where there is a gully with thick bush, which scouts carefully -explored before the main body came up. The water of the Inyoni was found -so brackish that the horses would scarcely drink of it. The Umsundusi -and Amatikula rivers are very sweet, the latter particularly so. - -Leaving the Inyoni, the next river passed is the Umsundusi, which runs -into the Amatikula, north-west of which lies the thorn country. The road -thence to Ingesani is good, but there is a mud gully to the south of -that place almost impassable after heavy rain. The column now marched -more to their right, where the country was still open, although there -was considerable cover in places, and kraals were seen around. Near the -Umkukusi is a hill, which was occupied for a time, but from which -nothing could be seen in the shape of an enemy. Keeping in a -north-easterly direction they now reached a lower portion of the -Inyesani, and then bore westerly for Ginghilovo, where on the afternoon -of the 1st they encamped. Here a parley was held with the besieged, from -Pearson's lofty signal-tower at Ekowe, and signals were made warning -Lord Chelmsford of the impending Zulu attack. - -A few words of digression may here be allowed to the system of signals -which proved of such use to both Pearson and Chelmsford at this -juncture. When Lord Chelmsford came first to Tenedos and Fort Pearson, -it became evident to him that Pearson was so completely blockaded that -runners could rarely get through. It was at the same time most essential -to his plans that the General should know exactly how the colonel's -resources were lasting, and the exact time to which his garrison could -hold out. In this emergency Haynes, of the Engineers, was sent for, and -asked if he could not do something with the heliograph, and bring the -rays of the sun into requisition for the transmission of messages. The -General was at once seen, and although by no means sanguine, he gave -every facility for the attempt. The difficulties were by no means light. -In the first place there were no proper mirrors, and a most diminutive -chamber looking-glass had to be employed. Then again there were no -skilled or mechanically-trained workers for the improvised apparatus, -and all appliances were of the most primitive nature. Another and, as -was feared, the most fatal difficulty was that there was no way of -attracting the notice of the Ekowe garrison, which from the nearest -vantage-point, was fully thirty miles as the crow flies. Nothing -daunted, however, by these obstacles Haynes persevered, and knowing that -the lives of many gallant soldiers were dependent on success or failure, -redoubled his exertions, which after long anxiety and delay were crowned -with success. The most sanguine hopes lay in the fact that the Naval -Brigade were with Pearson, and that some of them would undoubtedly be -trained to mirror signalling. After much delay in getting everything -ready, Haynes chose a bright sunshiny morning and went to the top of a -hill about five miles from the fort and commenced his flashing, but -without the smallest success. The church tower at Ekowe could be plainly -seen, but there was no response, and it was evident that the attempts at -communication were not noticed, or, if noticed, not understood. Nothing -discouraged, although a little chaffed by his comrades, the young -Engineer continued day by day, whenever there was a gleam of sunshine, -to attend the hill and work his mirror. At length, after a whole week -had passed before any indication from the garrison at Ekowe had been -made, another thought struck Haynes, and this was to flash occasional -whiffs of gunpowder to attract notice. To his intense delight, after a -few attempts, this plan succeeded, and when a gleam was once flashed -from the beleaguered fort in return the rest was all plain sailing. -Another week, however, elapsed before a perfectly intelligible answer -was received, and then it was found that Haynes's messages had been read -from the beginning, but that they could not get the Ekowe answers at -first to work. It is hardly necessary to mention how pleased Lord -Chelmsford was, and that Haynes was sent for and thanked in the most -flattering manner for his ingenuity and perseverance. - -As has been said, Pearson informed Lord Chelmsford of the imminent Zulu -attack; he also added that his last raid had been successful and that -some cattle had been captured; and that the road he had cut under fire -through the bush southwards would shorten the advance or his sortie by -at least five miles, and that his people were under no apprehensions of -famine or assault for some days. He had improved his defences, his -parapet having a command of six feet, flanked by a couple of well-made -_caponnières_ on the northern and southern faces, with a loopholed -building on the north-west and a sunken stockade in the south-west -angle. His four guns--two Gatlings and two rocket-tubes, in addition to -his Martini-Henrys--he considered sufficient to render his fort -impregnable to everything except hunger, and should the latter come on -through Lord Chelmsford's inability or delay in coming, he purposed -making a final and desperate sortie for life and liberty. This message -was committed to writing, and read out to the men, who answered it with -cheers of delight and enthusiasm. - -At four a.m. on the 31st ult., in the early dawn the troops paraded -outside the laager on the Inyoni. For the first day the march had been -without impediment or opposition; progress here and there, it is true, -was slightly impeded by portions of swampy ground; but so eager were the -men to get forward that the waggons were pushed vigorously through the -mud by willing hands. The 57th Regiment, which had only lately arrived -from Ceylon, were a little out of condition, and the fatigue and wet had -told upon them in a greater degree than the regiments arrived from -England. After a pleasant march, the Amatikula river was reached, where -the camp was formed with the waggons as usual in laager, and -shelter-trenches formed at fifteen paces beyond. The night passed -without any alarm, and at six the column marched for Ginghilovo. - -The drift on the Amatikula was so swollen that a long time was occupied -in getting the waggons across it, and the result was that on Monday very -few miles were made. Soon after the troops had crossed, outlying bands -of Zulus were seen by the scouts hovering on the flanks, but no attack -was attempted. The largest body of these Zulus kept moving in a line -parallel with the English march. Towards the afternoon of this day -Barrow's Horse was directed by Lord Chelmsford to make a reconnaissance -in the direction of the kraal of Makuendo, another of Cetywayo's -innumerable brothers, and they returned with the news that they had -surprised and fired it. On the previous day Barrow had made a -reconnaissance away to the north-east, at least seven or eight miles -off, without falling in with any Zulus, whose power of concealment is -certainly marvellous. At three o'clock on the 1st of April it became -dark overhead, and a severe thunderstorm broke over the laager, wetting -nearly every one to the skin. The night of the 1st of April will long be -remembered by those who were with Lord Chelmsford on that occasion. Not -a sound was heard in the camp, but outside the howls of the wandering -jackal and the pariah dog were occasionally echoed by the hoarse scream -of the foul birds which hover near a probable battle. At intervals were -to be heard the patrols going their rounds in the fitful gleams of the -moonlight, which were succeeded by black and rolling masses of cloud -chasing each other in the sky, still thunder-laden and lurid. The -whispered "Who goes there?" and the almost inaudible countersign, told, -however, that the utmost vigilance was awake, and that all felt that -England's honour was at stake. At two a.m. Lord Chelmsford, with two of -his personal staff, went quietly round. This tour of inspection lasted -till three o'clock, as here and there trifling details had to be changed -and plans to be explained to the various officers who held the most -important points of defence and danger. In front of the camp, but -sheltered behind trenches and abattis, were that glorious and -time-honoured corps, the 60th, who have no colours on which to record -their proud deeds, but whose escutcheon is emblazoned with some of -England's hardest-won fields. The General warmly eulogized the neat and -workmanlike trenches made by his favourite greenjackets, and passed on -next to Brackenbury, of the "Shah," who, with his "little bulldogs," as -the bluejackets term the Gatlings, held the right angle of the -entrenchment. - -Next to Brackenbury and his stout fellows came Clarke with his -detachment of the 57th, and at the second corner were two 9-pounders -excellently placed and guarded by their watchful gunners, eager as -greyhounds held back in the leash. Round to the rear, but by no means a -post of less honour, came the gallant old 91st, whose former Cape -services have long been their pride and distinction. Four companies of -this fine corps were here, and although the ranks were made up by drafts -from many other corps, the men had wonderfully soon assumed the -peculiarly smart bearing of their new corps. At the next angle were two -more Gatlings, and prolonging the faces were posted two companies of the -91st, then three companies of the Buffs, and the 99th. As nearly as -possible in the left rear face Lieutenant Cane, of the "Shah," had -charge of the ship's rocket-battery. - -Lord Chelmsford expressed himself extremely satisfied at the manner in -which all his arrangements had been worked out, and the low murmur of -gratification, which even discipline could not repress, showed how much -his men were devoted to their chief. - -It was as nearly as possible a quarter past four when the welcome news -was passed from man to man that the Zulus were seen in skirmishing -order, supported by dense masses, away some miles off on the right -front. It was nearly six o'clock, however, when the enemy's plan of -attack appeared to be decided, and this delay, it has since been -ascertained, arose from the fact that they had heard that the troops -were about to inspan and march in the early morning, and the Zulu -general anticipated catching them in all the confusion of starting. At -six a.m., then, somewhat favoured by the long grass and weeds which want -of time had not permitted the soldiers to cut down, the Zulu array was -hurled upon the laager. The regiments which came on in front were the -Unembomanaba and Unemsilya. These were in extended order, but much -closer than skirmishing order; in fact, somewhat akin to the Prussian -infantry first attack. These corps were flanked by the usual horns or -wings, composed of the Nokene and Nodwen regiments, formed in respective -columns right and left. In the rear, as the body or heart of the -formation, were the Monamonosi and a favourite corps of the king's -called Zwawani. Somapo was in chief command, while his lieutenant was -Dabulamanzi. - -The British front enticed the Zulu force, as easy of attack, as the -green-coated rifles were lying down in their shallow trenches, and their -strength could not well be seen by the enemy. Nothing could have fallen -out more fortunately, as the fire from those deadly tubes was doubly -fatal in consequence of each man being enabled to have a firm rest for -his weapon. There could not be a grander sight to a soldier's eye than -to watch these magnificent specimens of savage pride coming on in their -mighty strength to sweep the sturdy little riflemen from off the earth. -Their white and coloured shields, the crests of leopard skin and -feathers, and the wild oxtails dangling from their necks, gave them a -terribly unearthly appearance. Every ten or fifteen yards their first -line would halt, and a shot would be fired, and then, with an unearthly -yell, they would again rush on with a sort of measured dance, while a -humming and buzzing sound in time to their movement was kept up. When -the first line of skirmishers came to within 300 yards, a terrible and -deadly sheet of flame flashed from the shelter-pits, and a great number -of the Zulu warriors reeled howling to the earth. This only seemed to -incite the main body to renewed exertion, for they came up hurling -themselves through the skirmishers, and not even allowing them to get -out of their path, but dashing them to the ground in their rage to close -with the main array. A perfect _feu d'enfer_ was now rained upon the -denser masses of the Zulu main body, and this was maintained for at -least twenty minutes, the savages coming on, still fed by columns from -their rear, which deployed in excellent order as they reinforced the -first line, and alternately halted, fired, and advanced, beaten back -some scores of times, and returning as desperately as ever to the front. -About half-past six this front attack and onward rush was checked by the -gallant 60th. Lord Chelmsford on several occasions rode along their -line, giving an occasional kind and complimentary word when a -particularly good shot was made or an especial coolness was observed. A -sudden and wonderfully well-executed change of front was now made, -without the smallest confusion or delay, and the masses of Zulus in -front faced to their right and ran round in column to the face held by -the 57th and 91st. Here their courage was, if possible, more pronounced, -and their welcome was as hot. The 91st had not so many good marksmen in -their regiment as the colonel could have wished, as many of his best -shots were taken to supply Indian reliefs; but even the youngest -soldiers seemed to gain skill and inspiration from what they had seen -performed by the 60th. The 57th ably fulfilled their share of the duty, -and the torrent of lead poured upon the enemy from the murderous tubes -of these seemed to literally plough through the hostile ranks. -Notwithstanding this deadly hail, the Zulus came on with what was now -the mute valour of despair. They had ceased to shout and only seemed -anxious to dash upon the British bayonets. Twice, three times, a fourth, -they literally swarmed up to the entrenchments, and if one break in the -ranks had taken place the English loss must have been terrible. At one -moment, about a quarter before seven, it seemed as though they would -have forced their way in, and upon several occasions wounded Zulus were -noticed taking aim from behind the cover of the bodies of their dead -comrades as they lay in pools of blood in the open. Now that they were -within easy range from the tops of the waggons, an effective and galling -fire was opened upon the Zulus by the native contingents, who were not -allowed in the first line. This double tier of fire was of great help, -and so far thinned the assailant ranks that the second attack was after -a time renounced as hopeless. Once more, however, a shorter, more -desperate, but, as it proved, final rush was made by Cetywayo's doomed -and devoted troops. This time it was upon the left of the laager that -they delivered their last and supreme effort. They came up on this -occasion to within ten or fifteen feet of the muzzles of the men's -rifles, and, indeed, one or two of their chiefs seized the hot barrels -with one hand, while they stabbed at the men with their shortened or -broken assegais. It was curious to remark the three separate lines of -Zulu corpses which marked the respective ranges at which the -death-dealing Martini-Henrys had swept their ranks. At 300 yards a thin -boundary of black bodies and white shields might be traced; at 200 and -100 yards from our lines their walls of dead were more thick, and even -up to the trenches wounded men had staggered to receive their _coup de -grâce_. In spite of all their efforts, the Zulus, however, never -succeeded in bringing matters to a hand-to-hand struggle, though, if -they had done so, Lord Chelmsford's admirable formation would have -doubtless saved the camp, although no doubt with more than treble loss. -The last attack, and perhaps the boldest--for it was evidently the most -desperate--was led most heroically by Dabulamanzi in person, who, with -voice and gesture, came on a dozen yards in front of the leading files, -as Ney led on his Guard at Waterloo. As on that occasion the French -horsemen, so now these stalwart warriors could not stand against the -calm, steady, and unflurried _mitraille_ of English infantry fire, and -at seven o'clock the flower of Cetywayo's warriors were scattered and -broken on the plain they had so magnificently fought and drenched with -their blood. Lord Chelmsford saw the moment had come; Barrow, who had -already mounted his men in anticipation, scarcely waited for the orderly -to repeat the permission to dash forth. Away charged the little band of -sabres, and the mounted infantry came at the flying groups like a -whirlwind, their sabres flashing bright in the morning sun, but soon -dyed crimson with the best of the Zulu blood. - -During the attack 1200 rounds were fired from the splendidly served -Gatlings, and about 40 rounds of case and shrapnel from the 9-pounders, -which subsequently shelled the bush as the Zulus fled for cover. Colonel -Crealock, military secretary, and Captain Molyneux, of Lord Chelmsford's -staff, had their chargers shot under them. Poor young Johnstone, of the -99th, was killed at nearly the commencement of the fight; and Colonel -Northey was badly hit early in the action. He at first could not be -induced to leave his men, but at last was reluctantly compelled to do -so, as he fainted from loss of blood. At the close of the action, -however, and when he was aroused from his state of insensibility by the -ringing echoes of the British cheers which proclaimed the flight of the -enemy, he suddenly raised himself on one hand from under the waggon -where he was lying, and joined in the shouts of the men, thus bursting -the bandaged wound and causing violent hemorrhage to recommence. This -gallant and valued officer subsequently died, on the afternoon of the -6th, having lingered in considerable pain for four days. The entire -English loss was wonderfully small, being but 2 officers and 4 privates -killed, and 3 officers and 34 privates wounded! The Zulu loss, on the -contrary, cannot altogether be set down at less than 1000; for the -English troops buried between 700 and 800 Zulu corpses; and about 300 -rifles, which they discarded in their flight, were subsequently picked -up. Zulu prisoners stated that there were 180 companies present with -Somapo and Dabulamanzi on the 2nd, and allowing each company to be -composed of 60 warriors, the actual fighting array must have been about -11,000. Information was also shortly afterwards received that another -impi of about the same strength was despatched the day after Dabulamanzi -marched from the king's kraal at Ulundi, and this latter force, misled -by erroneous information, was unable to effect the intended junction -with the force defeated. These prisoners also maintain that neither -Somapo nor Dabulamanzi was aware of Lord Chelmsford's march for Ekowe -till the day before he was assailed. Barrow's admirably planned and -executed reconnaissances and raids on the 30th, 31st, and 1st -undoubtedly had much to do with hoodwinking the Zulus, and it is -tolerably certain that the military promenade made by him on the 31st -towards the Ingoya led them to believe that the whole force was likely -to operate in that direction. - -On the following day, the 57th, 60th, and 91st were formed into a flying -column, taking with them nothing but some light Scotch carts and three -days' rations, together with the mounted men and some of the Naval -Brigade, and started _en route_ by way of the coast road for Ekowe. The -portions of the Buffs, 99th, and a detachment of the "Shah's" men were -left behind to garrison Ginghilovo, under the command of Major Walker. -The heliograph was set to work, and Pearson replied that he should -certainly come out to meet Lord Chelmsford and his party. At daybreak, -therefore, Barrow went on with his horsemen to reconnoitre, and to see -if any remnant or fresh portion of the Zulu army lay between Ekowe and -its relievers. The line of country to be traversed was known to be more -difficult than that passed, and it was thought that the Zulus might have -had sufficient tenacity of purpose to make one more effort to stay the -general's purpose. The first part of the journey was anything but -pleasant; swamps, morasses, bogs, watercourses, nullahs, spruits, -boulders, and all the disagreeable features of South Africa were in -abundance; progress, consequently, was very much impeded, and at one -time it was thought the troops would have to encamp on the way, and make -a two days' march of the journey. Several small but awkward streams had -to be crossed, and the General very wisely served out an extra ration of -grog after the passage of these places. - -After travelling about five miles, a halt for breakfast was called, and -here Barrow rode back to report that all was clear in front, and that -not a single Zulu could be seen, although the plains and bush had been -most diligently scoured. Barrow reported that in the direction he had -been, assegais, shields, feathers, ear and head ornaments, skins, furs, -blankets, and even guns were lying about in profusion, evidently cast -away in the hurried and headlong flight of the Zulus to their kraals, -but that no bodies, however, had as yet been seen by the scouts. - -The shrill notes of the bugles sounded the halt, and soon after the -"Prepare to dismount," and "Off-saddle." Although no precaution was -neglected to guard against surprise, a certain amount of latitude was -now allowed, which on the previous three days' marches had not been -sanctioned. Piquets, as usual, were thrown out on the neighbouring -heights, and a chain of vedettes posted, which commanded ten miles of -country in every direction. This being effected, the infantry formed up -and piled arms, the cavalry off-saddled, and the horses, having first -been allowed their usual roll in the dusty veldt, were turned out, under -the protection of a guard, to enjoy a short graze, having, of course, -been previously knee-haltered. This knee-haltering process is universal -throughout all the Cape Colonies, and is effected in the following -manner: by simply taking a couple of half-hitches round the horse's -fore-leg with a strong rein or reim attached to the neck-strap, which -brings the animal's head towards the ground, and effectually prevents -his running away. This is the simple precaution adopted by all -travellers in South Africa. The men now were told off in sections to -draw water and collect wood to make fires for their morning or midday -coffee. The officers collected in groups, and compared notes and -exchanged anecdote and repartee. - -After an hour's rest, which men and horses required after their severe -four days' work, the bugles again summoned all to the ranks, and they -started anew to complete the journey. - -From this halting-place the road had a rather dangerous appearance, and -every precaution was taken, lest Dabulamanzi should have received any -reinforcements, which would enable him to attack the somewhat weak -column at a disadvantage. The road over which they were passing was in -itself open and fairly easy of transit, but not far to the left, and -running parallel to the waggon-track, there were patches of bush so -dense that horsemen could not enter, and they had to be examined with -the aid of an infantry contingent, a few of whom had fortunately been -brought in case of an emergency of this sort. Not far from the foot of -one of the ascents to Ekowe on the left of the column lay the spot where -Pearson was attacked on the 22nd January, and which, although called the -battle of Inyazani, is some distance from the banks of that river. Some -cavalry were taken over by Barrow to explore, but nothing marked the -locality of the action except a large mound and a roughly carved cross -where the dead were laid. On this cross were roughly cut the names of -those who lay at rest below. Leaving at length the bushy country, the -column now came to some steep and broken ground, and here were seen the -remains of some of the waggons which had to be abandoned from Ely's -convoy. Strange to say, some of the contents, tins of provisions and -other stores, were still intact; but no arms nor ammunition had been -left behind. Seven miles from Ekowe the troops came to a plain from -which they were divided by a broad and well-worn watercourse. Here they -faced the steep and scarped sides of a mountain, and in the distance -could see a long unbroken range over which the sun was beginning to set. -At this spot the Zulus had evidently attempted to impede the advance, as -part of the road had been cut away. Engineers, however, soon remedied -the damage, and they were enabled to push on; although it was fortunate -that they had no waggons, as it was not without considerable effort they -managed to get the two-wheeled carts across. As soon as this spot had -been passed, the whole character of the landscape changed as if by -magic; and as the wind freshened and carried away some misty clouds, the -remnants of the late rains, a splendid prospect was seen, as the column -wound its slow trail along a steep and rugged kloof leading into a fair -and fertile valley beyond. Here, however, was a position that might have -been held for some considerable time had the enemy chosen this spot to -oppose the march. A sheer precipitous rock frowned on the right, and the -only possible track lay exactly under its base, where with a few -resolute savages above, huge boulders and masses of rock could have been -hurled upon the column as it passed. On the left was a spongy swamp -perfectly impassable to wheels, and not particularly easy to troops or -human feet. Here a short way up the mountain farther on were seen the -remains of a ruined kraal, and of some huts apparently not long vacated. -These dwellings were formed, as usual, of rudely twined canes wattled -and filled in with clay, and they had somewhat the appearance of a -cluster of huge beehives. - -As the leading files quitted the low ground, signals were made by the -advanced patrols that cavalry were in sight, and the General and several -of his staff at once galloped past the column to the front. All -anxieties were briefly at an end, for, mounted upon an exceedingly -handsome charger, and attended by a numerous cavalcade, coming towards -the column at a smart canter was the gallant soldier who had held his -inhospitable guard at Ekowe for more than seventy days. - -Lord Chelmsford at once spurred forward, and warmly grasped Colonel -Pearson by the hand, whilst discipline for once gave way, and the -respectful silence of the General's escort was broken by a cheer such as -only English throats can give, waking up every echo of the Zulu caves -and valleys. - -Colonel Pearson brought with him, according to his promise, about 500 -men, and his staff, consisting of Colonel Walker and Captains M'Gregor -and Knight. A long conversation at once took place, and the General -informed Colonel Pearson that, anticipating the evacuation of the fort, -he had left part of his force to entrench Ginghilovo, and make it a -permanent station. The reasons for this were manifold. In the first -place the approaches to Ekowe were easy to the Zulus, unencumbered with -baggage or other _impedimenta_, but most difficult and trying to a -European force. Ginghilovo or its neighbourhood answered every purpose -as a link in the line of communications, while a site could be chosen -equally as formidable in a defensive point of view. The column did not -reach Ekowe fort till nearly eleven p.m. Here the welcome of comrades, -fellow-messmates, and men of the same ships and corps, was a happy and -fitting sequel to the _rencontre_ of the reliever and the relieved. - -It was a pleasant surprise to the General on arriving at Ekowe to find -that matters had been made much worse by report than they were in -reality. No gaunt and famine-stricken faces greeted him, but, on the -contrary, there was a look of plumpness about most of the privates that -savoured more of want of exercise than want of beef. In fact, the -medical officer stated that the meat ration had never been diminished, -as it was considered just as advisable to kill and consume the trek oxen -as to see them die for want of forage. Now a trek ox in the best -condition is not particularly tender, or even when fed upon the best of -food, but when kept short of fodder, and without proper shelter from the -sun and rain, he cuts up anything but well for beef. Tobacco was the -article most wanted by both soldiers and sailors, and the most agreeable -gift that could be made by the relievers to their lately besieged -comrades was this luxury in any form or shape. The health of the -garrison at first was good, but gradually the want of vegetables and -useful medicines filled the hospitals, and made the cemetery more full. -Anxiety, doubtless, had much to do with the sick-roll, and until -communications with St. Andrew's Mission had been established a certain -amount of uneasiness was felt as to how the war was going. Thirty deaths -occurred during the seventy days the garrison were shut up, but several -of these, it must be remembered, were cases of wounded men from the -fighting at the Inyezani. At Fort Ekowe the hero of the scouting parties -was undoubtedly young Rowden, of the 99th, who was detailed by Colonel -Pearson to form a mounted infantry corps similar to Barrow's, from -volunteers from the Buffs and his own corps. It is no secret that one of -the great advantages we possess in our service is that we are never at a -loss, when we can get horses, to find riders. Most of our youngsters in -the service would rather have a stigma on their morals than on their -knowledge of horseflesh and of horsemanship, and herein lies the secret -of our bearing up against our first reverses in Zululand. Every officer, -serving in South Africa, whether cavalry, infantry, artillery, -engineers, medical staff, or commissariat, gets rations or allowances -for horse or horses, according to his rank. This is one of the secrets, -combined with the sport and shooting, why South African service is so -popular. Now both the 99th and the Buffs vied with the 13th and 90th in -their equestrian proclivities, and, in default of regular cavalry, a -large body of mounted infantry was raised, and in a great measure -mounted from the horses belonging to the officers of their respective -regiments, lent or sold to Government for the purpose. Rowden's patrols -were literally the "eyes and ears" of the garrison, and ably fulfilled -all the onerous duties of light cavalry. In short the great value of -their services may be gathered from the frequently and openly stated -opinions of Colonel Wood and of Colonel Pearson, that all infantry -regiments serving at the Cape should have at least one Gatling and one -mounted company. - -The great event of the camp life in Ekowe was the discovery of certain -queer flashes of light on the white walls of the church tower. These, -after puzzling many of the officers and soldiers, were at length brought -under the notice of an officer of the naval brigade, whose education in -the use of the heliograph enabled him at once to explain the apparent -mystery. Three days of unpleasant suspense, however, elapsed before the -first message could be clearly made out, and then three more before an -apparatus could be rendered workable to reply. Fortunately an old mirror -was found, and this, with an empty wooden cartridge case, sufficed. -Within the week, therefore, conversation was opened, and its effect on -the imprisoned garrison was seen by all to be more beneficial than all -the tonics the hospital could afford. The next great event was, -perhaps, the construction of the road from the fort to the lower coast -trek, and the consequent excitement of having to work with the chance of -feeling an assegai or Zulu bullet whizzing into the party. But the long -days and longer nights were not at all devoid of recreation. Lawn -tennis, bowls, ninepins, and quoits were devised. Concerts were -organized, and dramatic recitals on a modest scale were improvised. - -A cavalry raid had been, it will be remembered, made some time back upon -Dabulamanzi's kraal, which was shelled and burned by Pearson. Some -cattle and sheep were captured, and a desultory and running fight was -kept up between the discomfited chief and the English patrols, which -resulted in no casualty to the troops, while several Zulus were killed. -This attack did not, however, extend to Dabulamanzi's private -habitation, as its approaches were considered too far off and too -difficult of access. No sooner, however, had Lord Chelmsford arrived at -Ekowe than he determined to complete the blow already commenced. It was -decided to effect this raid with Barrow's horsemen. The whole affair was -promptly and admirably organized, and at eight o'clock on the morning -after Lord Chelmsford's arrival a group of officers might have been seen -on foot conversing, while their horses were led up and down by the -attendant orderlies. First of all there was the Commander-in-chief, and -with him his military secretary, Colonel Crealock, whose recent wound -did not even place him for one day upon the sick report. Major Barrow -was there in his workmanlike dress, a Norfolk shirt patched with -leather, high untanned boots, and a stout sabre at his side. With him -were John Dunn, Lieutenants Sugden, Rawlins, and Courtenay, Captains -Addison, M'Lean, and Ganz. - -The entire force consisted of 50 mounted infantry under Barrow, 55 -volunteers under Addison, and 120 volunteers under Ganz and M'Lean. At a -quarter to nine the cavalcade had been inspected by their respective -commanders, and in sections of fours moved off, amid the smiles and -congratulations of the garrison. The road was as usual over that -sweet-smelling and springy turf which makes walking an impossibility, -and any pace but a canter impossible to man and beast. A little more -than half an hour, or about a four-mile spurt over the elastic veldt, -brought them in sight of Dabulamanzi's "great place." A rolling grassy -plain, leading to some easy and gentle slopes, was presented to view, -and evidently to the astonishment of most of the party, who had been -accustomed to the rude and rocky fastnesses in which these kraals are -usually built. Beyond these smiling and inviting hills the kraal itself -could scarcely be seen, but its locality was indicated by half a dozen -Zulus running away with some cattle at full speed. Their measures were -quickly taken, as their information forbade them to imagine that any -trap could be laid, and they knew that the chances were ten to one -against the chief having any force near enough to make a stand against -them. Lord Chelmsford paid Major Barrow the high compliment of allowing -him to take an independent command of the whole party, and remained more -as a spectator than as an active official on the scene. Barrow at once -detached mounted portions of his men right and left, while he led the -way direct at a smart canter at the kraal. The combined movement -answered admirably, and the place was surrounded as if by magic, without -any resistance or a shot being fired. Rawlins, and a few of Barrow's -men, were now ordered to dash into the kraal, and as soon as they had -assured themselves that there were no women or children or sick people -there, to fire it in various places. They had scarcely galloped off to -carry out this order when the silence was broken by the well-known -"ping" of a rifle, sounding from the near vicinity of the kraal; and on -looking in the direction from which the sound came the General and his -staff could see a small group of Zulus taking deliberate aim at them. -The distance was about 1200 yards. But the General still moved on, -although the bullet had been well aimed, for it whizzed just over the -head of one of his aides-de-camp; and John Dunn, putting up his glass, -declared that he recognized Dabulamanzi by his head-dress and peculiar -method of walking. With the utmost nonchalance John began to load his -weapon, and remarked to the General, "See what will happen!" One of the -Zulus at this moment was coolly making a rest for his rifle upon a ledge -of rock behind which his chief had retired, and Dunn, taking a long and -careful aim, fired, and evidently wounded his man, who slipped back into -the arms of a comrade. As the party sent to fire the kraal emerged from -its outer enclosure, a heavy cloud of smoke betokened that their mission -was accomplished. This white column hid the horsemen from the natives, -who finding themselves in danger of being surrounded and captured by -Sugden and his detached party, made a hasty and somewhat undignified -retreat. The General now moved round to the right, and found that the -detached party under Nettleton were coming back with a fine young Zulu, -whom they had overtaken and captured on the left of the kraal. They had -secured him with some buffalo-hide girths, and he readily--too readily -for belief--answered John Dunn's questions, informing him that the -cattle, women, and children had time to escape from the kraal, as the -horsemen were discovered cantering across the open. He added that had -they advanced a little faster they would have captured them. But this -was not their object, and they were rather glad not to have the -encumbrance of prisoners, remembering the trouble Oham's wives and -relations gave at Kambula. - -The return to Ekowe was accomplished without further incident. On the -following day, having destroyed as much of the fortifications at Ekowe -as time would permit, they started upon the return journey to the camp -at Ginghilovo. They overtook Pearson in laager after having marched -about six miles; and while he and his column moved on later in the day -to his destination on the Lower Tugela, Lord Chelmsford and his division -halted and laagered camp at about two miles north of Inyezani, and about -five from Ginghilovo. Here an unfortunate disaster occurred. A young -sentry of the 91st fancied he saw Zulus in the bush. He at once, without -challenging, as he should have done, fired. The picket to which he -belonged at once retired, and as Dunn's scouts were out reconnoitring, -they ran in upon the next picket to the camp, composed also of young -soldiers of the 60th, who, mistaking them for Zulus charging upon the -laager, recklessly opened fire, by which four of their own men were -wounded and one killed, while nine of the unfortunate scouts were badly -wounded. The officer commanding the picket did all he could to steady -his men, and did not even retire with them, so he was quite blameless. -On the 24th April they reached the entrenchments at Ginghilovo, which -were about two miles from the former laager, and Lord Chelmsford, having -given the fullest instructions in regard to strengthening and guarding -the camp, started on the following day for Fort Tenedos, _en route_ for -Durban, to reorganize an immediate advance. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - End of first period of the Zulu war--Organization of fresh - advance--Reinforcements from England--Scene in - Durban--Disembarkation of troops--Cavalry camp at Berea--Lord - Chelmsford's arrival at Durban--His reception--Review of Lancers and - King's Dragoons at Cato Manor--Plan of new campaign--Composition of - No. 1 column--Composition of No. 2 column--Cask bridge over - Amatikula--Forts Crealock and Chelmsford--Wood's reconnaissance to - Blood River--Description of Blood River and its scenery--Appearance - of Buller's Light Horse--Removal of Wood's Kambula camp--Grandier's - capture and escape--His tale--Description of Dabulamanzi and - Cetywayo--Death of Dabulamanzi. - - -The relief of Ekowe, and the Zulu defeats at Ginghilovo and Kambula, -mark in a most unmistakable manner the conclusion of the first period of -the Zulu war. All fear of an invasion of Natal was now completely -dissipated, and the only task that remained to be accomplished was to -organize a force to carry an offensive war into the heart of Cetywayo's -kingdom. Kambula and Ginghilovo had neutralized the disastrous results -of Isandhlwana--the winning blow was still to be struck. It will be -remembered that after the fatal field of Isandhlwana no time had been -lost in applying to England for large reinforcements, and the home -authorities were in no way slack in acceding to this urgent appeal. Lord -Chelmsford on his part was no less active in preparing and getting -these forces to the front, and though to the ordinary observer there -might seem to be a period of inaction and sloth, since there was indeed -a necessary lull in active operations, yet in reality no cessation of -labour really occurred in any of the military departments. Within one -month seventeen transports brought from England and landed on the shores -of South Africa more than 9000 troops and 2000 horses, and all the -munitions and stores, not only for the maintenance of such a force, but -also for other regiments at the front. As each ship arrived at the outer -anchorage, she was discharged without difficulty, and in no case were -the troops kept on board an unnecessary hour, while in no instance was -any damage, accident, or loss sustained during the process of -disembarkation. To the enterprise, energy, and forethought of the -contractors was due this satisfactory result; and the timely engagement -of all the available steam-tugs by these authorities enabled them to -carry out their undertaking in a manner beyond the most sanguine -anticipations. In addition to the employment of the tugs "Union," -"Somtsen," "Adonis," and others, the hulls of two fine schooners were -prepared and specially adapted for the accommodation of horses, and -these being lashed alongside the transports, with the aid of -steam-cranes and excellent wharves, the rest was not a matter of -difficulty. The weather, most fortunately, was generally favourable, -while the equinoctial gales were so slight that the dreaded bar was -never quite impassable. There were at this time no less than sixteen -magnificent steam-transports, some of them the largest afloat, lying at -the outer anchorage. Twenty-three vessels were in the inner harbour, -and there were, irrespective of local tenders and tugs, at least thirty -vessels in the roads. Such a sight had never been seen in the colony, -and Durban will never again exhibit such a martial aspect. While from -time to time returns were issued of the reinforcements as they arrived, -no complete field state was made out till April 16th. It will be well -here to give a brief _résumé_. In the "Egypt" and "Spain" were embarked -at Southampton the King's Dragoon Guards, whose muster-roll gave 31 -officers, 622 men, 91 officers' chargers, and 480 troop-horses. In the -"France" and "England" were the 17th Lancers, numbering 31 officers, 622 -men, 91 officer's chargers, and 480 troop-horses. These embarked at -Blackwall and Southampton. The "Manora" and "Olympus," from Southampton, -brought M and N Batteries, 6th Brigade Royal Artillery, with 10 -officers, 536 men, and 161 troop-horses. The "Palmyra," from Chatham, -came with the 30th company Royal Engineers, composed of 6 officers, 196 -men, 2 officers' chargers, and 44 troop-horses. The "City of Paris," -from Queenstown, brought the 21st Royal North British Fusiliers, with 30 -officers, 906 men, and 7 officers' chargers. The "Russia," from -Portsmouth, embarked the 58th Foot, consisting of 30 officers, 906 men, -and 7 officers' chargers; while the same vessel brought the 3rd -battalion 60th Rifles, with 30 officers, 906 men, and 7 officers' -chargers. From Ceylon came the 57th Foot, which, with drafts from -England, made up 30 officers, 906 men, and 7 chargers. The "China," from -Southampton, brought these drafts, calling at Ceylon for the 57th. The -same fine and roomy ship brought also from Southampton the 94th Foot, -with 30 officers, 906 men, and 7 chargers. The "City of Venice," from -Queenstown, brought the 3rd and 4th companies of the Army Service Corps -(transport branch); while the "Queen Margaret," from Woolwich, brought -No. 5 company of the same, the whole making up 19 officers, 550 men, and -480 horses. The "Palmyra," as well as the Engineers from Chatham, -brought 4 officers and 140 men of the Army Hospital Corps from -Portsmouth. The numerical strength of these reinforcements was -therefore, according to return, exactly as follows:--Cavalry, two -regiments, making 1250 sabres; artillery, two batteries, 12 guns, and -540 men; engineers, one company, 190 men; infantry, six regiments, 5320 -bayonets; Army Service Corps and drafts, 1200; total, 8500 men and 1871 -horses. The two batteries of artillery were not armed alike, the one -being equipped with the usual 9-pounder field-gun, and the other having -the six new 7-pounders similar to those employed in Abyssinia, but -mounted, owing to the advice of General Sir John Bissett, K.C.B., upon -the tall and special Kaffrarian carriages recently introduced into the -service. These carriages are totally different from the small 7-pounder -carriages with which the Abyssinian guns were fitted, as they are raised -upon wheels five feet in height, the carriage, although lighter, being -exactly the same as to size as that used for the 9-pounder of eight cwt. -These little guns, however, weigh only 200 lb., and have rather a queer -dwarfed appearance mounted on their long axles, between their tall -wheels; but the plan was found in many cases successful in this and -late Kaffir campaigns, owing to the obstacles presented to the dwarfed -carriage by the long grass so abundant in all parts of the colony. Mules -had also arrived for these guns from Malta and Gibraltar. Most of the -regiments brought out their own equipment complete and ready for the -field--tents, waterproof sheets, cooking utensils, barrack and camp -stores--which enabled them to be ready at once for the forward movement. -This arrangement was not fully carried out by the Royal Artillery and -Army Service Corps, as they had a long train of carriages to take to the -front; but the company of the Army Service Corps which came in the -"Queen Margaret" from Woolwich brought 100 splendid waggons, light yet -of great strength, and others came from Queenstown in the "City of -Venice." As the transports engaged for the infantry regiments had a -considerable quantity of spare room for cargo, all the available space -was utilized for stores, munitions, and supplies. Preserved meats, -preserved vegetables, and other victualling stores were landed in -quantities of an almost alarming nature, while about twenty tons of -7-pounder shells had arrived by the "Donald Currie," "Duart Castle," and -other hired transports. - -Undoubtedly the most interesting event to both civil as well as military -circles in Durban was the arrival of the two cavalry regiments destined -for the front. The absence of cavalry was indeed one of the great -defects in our army, and had there been previously a couple of regiments -of real light cavalry the progress of the campaign would doubtless have -taken a far more favourable turn, while some of our misfortunes or -disasters would never have happened. The value of cavalry was so -abundantly manifested by the services of Piet Uys, Colonels Russell and -Buller, Major Barrow, and Captain Rowden, that it would be idle to dwell -upon the subject. In the expedition, again, to Ekowe, how completely was -the value of this force shown by Major Barrow's horsemen! This officer -had not more than 200 sabres with him, while at least half of these were -natives; but the completeness of the success achieved by General -Chelmsford was attributed in a great measure by his lordship to the -services of this contingent, who were literally the eyes and ears of the -main column. They were, during the march, effectually scouting the -country around, ahead, and in rear, and so constantly did they perform -this work that the Zulu spies, who swarmed around, could not by any -possibility get close enough to learn the real strength of the column. -Again, until Zlobani, all or nearly all Wood's most brilliant successes -were gained by his mounted men, and he himself never ceased deploring -the absence of a stronger body of horsemen. The "Spain" and "Egypt," -which brought out the King's Dragoon Guards to their first South African -service, two as fine-looking vessels as ever floated in African seas, -both arrived and anchored in the outer roadstead on Sunday morning, the -13th. The "Spain" made a most successful voyage, having left Southampton -on the 27th of February, touched at St. Vincent on 16th March, and -arrived at Capetown on 5th April. She had on board 312 troops and 286 -horses. There was scarcely any sickness at all on board during the -voyage, and all the horses, both officers' chargers and troopers, were -landed in a very fair condition. The horses submitted to the slinging, -almost without an exception, with the greatest docility, and the whole -of them were landed in a wonderfully short space of time, considering -the distance and the state of the weather. The whole of the left wing of -the regiment was on shore by half-past five, and was at once marched to -the 17th Lancers' encampment at the foot of the Berea. The "Egypt" was a -trifle less in tonnage than the "Spain," but the difference would not be -noticed by an unprofessional eye. She had on board 20 officers, 300 -troops, and 300 horses. Her horses were also in excellent condition, and -were all landed on the 14th. By the 16th the men had quite settled down -in their new quarters at the cavalry camp at the Berea, and everything -was in the most admirable order. The ground was admirably chosen for the -1250 horsemen who were there under canvas, and the considerations of -water, wood, health, and position were all carefully thought of and -provided. Each regiment was formed in column of troops, occupying 172 -yards of front and 130 yards of depth. From the centre to centre of -tents was ten yards, and each horse picketed was allowed four feet by -twenty feet. In front of the camp was a fine open space of level parade, -which was employed as a parade-ground for duty, and an agreeable lounge -and sort of out-door club after stable-hours. The hours for _réveille_ -and tattoo, the time for the promulgation of orders, the arrangements -for rations and forage, the position of the brigade office, commanding -officer's tent, headquarters, commissariat depôt, hospital and guards, -the postal arrangements for letters and telegrams, the arrangements for -water for men and horses, the police arrangements, the detail for guards -and pickets, the detail of other duties, and the statement of returns -required, were all noted in daily orders, and printed for circulation -amongst men and officers. By this means a system of discipline was -established as strict and regular as if in presence of an enemy, and -every officer and non-commissioned officer was made acquainted with the -usual system of encampment in his branch of the service, and the -principles which govern such arrangements, in regard particularly to -quickness of change and means of transport, compactness, and safety from -an enemy's attack by day or surprise by night. On April 12th General -Lord Chelmsford and staff arrived back at Durban by special train from -the Lower Tugela, _viâ_ Jaccharine, at 6.45. With him were Colonel -Crealock, military secretary, Commodore Richards, and Lieutenant Milne. -A very large crowd was at the station to greet the General. - -Not the least notable figure among the brilliant group who waited to -receive the Commander-in-chief was that of the Prince Imperial of -France, whose bright, intelligent face, as he conversed with Sir John -Bissett, was lit up with the anticipation of a possible campaign. - -Besides General Sir John Bissett and the Prince Imperial, there were -present at the railway station Major-General Newdigate, Major-General -Marshall, Major-General Clifford, V.C., Colonel Bellairs, D.A.G., -Colonel Riley, Major Huskisson, Captain Somerset, Hon. W. Drummond, -Captain Granville, and many others. - -The 19th of April was a day that will long be remembered in Durban; for -then was seen a sight such as had never before been beheld in that town, -and probably will never be repeated. On that day Lord Chelmsford -inspected the two lately arrived regiments of cavalry, the 17th Lancers -and the King's Dragoon Guards. As each regiment passed before the -General, it was noticed that its rear squadron had attached to it half a -company, and its usual complement of store and supply waggons. These -consisted of four waggons, carrying three days' supplies of food, and -one day's oats for the horses, four waggons for squadron equipments, -such as tents, blankets, and cooking utensils, together with one -headquarter waggon and one quarter-master's stores waggon, making ten -vehicles in all. Each of these waggons was drawn by four horses, while -the armourers' forge waggon was drawn by six horses, and the ambulance -waggon by six fine mules. Both regiments were in full dress, but in the -lightest possible marching order, but even in this, the men's average -weight was not less than 18 stone. The regiments were both encamped at -Cato Manor, which is admirably suited to cavalry purposes, having good -grass and plenty of wood and water. The column extended a long distance, -and wound its way along West Street, Abnel Street, Smith Street, past -the Royal Hotel and the new club, and _viâ_ Field Street back to the -Manor, where the inspection and march past were held in the presence of -the General-in-chief. The top of West Street was reached at half-past -seven, and here the largest crowd was assembled. At the corner of -Gardner Street the column was joined by Lord Chelmsford, who was loudly -cheered, while handkerchiefs were waved from every carriage and window. -Outside the town gardens a number of private carriages were drawn up, -and each of these was fully occupied by ladies in full toilette, who -seemed delighted at the novelty of the spectacle. Such a sight as six -hundred British cavalry seemed to raise the enthusiasm of the -townspeople to a great pitch, and on all sides expressions of delight -and gratification at the fine and imposing appearance of the two corps -were freely vented. The entrance to the picturesque grounds of the manor -is situated within easy walking distance of the town, but in Natal few -people ever think of pedestrian exercise, so that the cavalcade was -supplemented by almost an equal number of mounted spectators of both -sexes. The cavalry brigade was, as soon as it entered the manor, wheeled -into line, and after receiving Lord Chelmsford with a general salute, -was minutely inspected by his lordship, who expressed himself in the -most flattering terms to both Colonels Lowe and Alexander, remarking -particularly the excellent condition of the 17th's horses. The Dragoons -and Lancers quitted Durban for Helpmakaar on April 24th, and every -precaution was taken by easy marching at first to avoid sore backs and -girth galls. Lord Chelmsford also left Durban, and proceeded to -Maritzburg: thence he travelled on to Dundee and Utrecht, and then on to -Wood's camp at Kambula, where he arrived on May 3rd. - -The main features of the plans for the fresh campaign were, roughly -speaking, as follows. - -Two principal forces, operating from separate bases, the one at Utrecht, -and the other at Durban, were to be held in communication by Wood, with -a flying column, and by Marshall's cavalry. The common objective of -these four columns was to be Ulundi, the king's chief kraal. To keep up -communications with these two flanks, to make occasional raids and -dashes forward into the enemy's country, and at any favourable moment to -convert a feigned into a real rush upon Ulundi, Wood was to retain his -separate and independent command. His force, however, was to be largely -reinforced, and more troops, if possible cavalry, sent to him. The first -column, as it was called, under Major-General Hope Crealock, C.B., was -to advance rapidly by the coast road, having as its respective bases of -operations Durban, Fort Pearson, and Ginghilovo. The other column, under -the personal command of Lord Chelmsford, with Utrecht as its principal -base on the extreme north, was to move also upon Ulundi. Meanwhile Wood, -who had been strongly reinforced, while nominally forming part of Lord -Chelmsford's headquarter division, practically retained his independent -command, and formed a sort of flying column connecting the two flanks -with each other. No. 1 division, then preparing for advance from the -Lower Tugela, consisted of three fine brigades. The First Brigade, -commanded by Colonel Pearson of Ekowe fame, consisted of the 3rd Buffs, -the 88th Connaught Rangers, and the 99th Foot, each of these corps -averaging 800 bayonets. The Second Brigade, under the command of Colonel -Pemberton, had in it the 57th, the 3rd battalion 60th Rifles, and the -91st Highlanders; while the Third Brigade, under Colonel Law, had a -battery of Royal Artillery, the Naval Brigade from the "Shah" and -"Boadicea," at least 800 strong, with four guns and two Gatlings, -Barrow's Horse, and a Native Contingent. Before the final advance was -made, it was determined that posts of communication should be -established at the Amatikula and the Inyezani rivers, over which pontoon -bridges were to be constructed. Meanwhile for temporary purposes there -was constructed over the Amatikula stream a cask bridge, by laying two -slings, with eye splices at one end, parallel to each other, at a -distance in proportion to the length of the casks. On these ropes were -placed as many casks as required, bungs uppermost, and side by side. -Across the upper surface of the barrels balks were laid parallel to each -other, and the ends of the slings at each end of the row of casks were -brought up and fastened to the ends of the balks. A small rope with an -eye at each end was fastened to each sling between each pair of casks. -These "braces," as they are technically called, were then carried once -round the nearest balk, and afterwards passed over to the other side, -carried round the opposite braces, returned to its own side, and finally -made fast to the standing part of the brace close below the balk by the -assistance of two half-hitches. Each pier of casks made in this fashion -can be completed in a marvellously short time by skilled engineers, and -in a reasonable period by infantry who have been exercised at such work -under the supervision of their scientific comrades. Transoms or beams -connect each pier with its neighbour, while chesses and outriggers can -be laid down as in a regular pontoon bridge. When crossing these cask -bridges great care, of course, has to be taken by officers in charge of -waggons and supplies to see that no undue weight is carried beyond what -must be theoretically allowed by the practical methods of calculating -the relative buoyancy of the casks. In addition to the redoubts thrown -up to protect the laagers at Amatikula and Inyezani, _têtes-de-pont_, or -bridge-heads, were also constructed to form a safeguard for pontoons. -The position on the Amatikula was admirable. It was not too steep, -having a hill which formed as it were, a sort of natural glacis, with a -slope of not more than 10 deg., which is about the most favourable for -infantry. The post could not be overlooked at any point by the enemy, -while the ground in front, being duly cleared, gave no cover. The flanks -rested upon natural obstacles easily strengthened. The post on the -Inyezani was situated upon an eminence which fell away to the rear, so -that its second line and reserves could be placed almost entirely under -cover. A lake on one side and a ravine on the other, both perpendicular -to the position, gave additional security to the fort, and these were -strengthened by every means at disposal. In the armament of these works -the guns were placed _en barbette_, as being more suitable to distant -fire, and as our antagonists had no artillery with which they could -reply, no anxiety was entertained as to their being dismounted. Guns, of -course, which are fired over a parapet instead of through an embrasure -have a far greater lateral range, and as the Zulu mode of attack -invariably includes rapid changes of front and frequent flank movements, -this mode of armament was calculated to prove the most effective, as -fire could be brought to bear in all directions. A further advantage is -not to be lost sight of, and this is, that guns fired over a parapet, or -_en barbette_, are higher, and could therefore plunge into such hollows -as the Zulus invariably made for when exposed to the rifle fire. -Gabions and screens of sandbags, to save the men from undue exposure, -were placed on each side of the guns. While No. 1 column was thus -employed in fort-building, Lord Chelmsford was moving from Utrecht to -Kambula and Durnberg, where the following corps were being concentrated, -to form his column:--General Newdigate's division, a formidable body, -consisting of the 2nd battalion 21st Fusiliers, the 2nd battalion 24th, -the 58th and 94th Regiments, with M and N batteries 6th Brigade Royal -Artillery: Brigadier-General Evelyn Wood, V.C., who had now with him the -13th and 90th Light Infantry Regiments, Tremlett's battery of Royal -Artillery, and Buller's Light Horse, strongly augmented. Major-General -Marshall's cavalry brigade was also attached to Lord Chelmsford's -command, and was composed of the King's Dragoon Guards, the 17th -Lancers, and Russell's Horse, lately augmented. Finally Major-General -the Hon. Hugh Clifford, V.C., C.B., whose former South African services -go back to 1846, remained in command of the base, depôt, and reserves at -Durban, with Major T. Butler, C.B., of Red River and Ashanti fame, as -chief of his staff. - -It has been stated that one of the points at which Crealock was to -concentrate his forces was Ginghilovo; but by the advice of high medical -authorities, Lord Chelmsford ordered the camp at Ginghilovo to be broken -up and shifted to a more favourable site near the Inyezani. The -Ginghilovo camp, as far as strategical position was concerned, was all -that the most fastidious engineer could desire, but upon sanitary -grounds it was decidedly defective. It was favourably sheltered in a -sort of hollow having defensive heights, which were to have been -entrenched on either side, but want of good water and other reasons -made it desirable to abandon the idea of converting it into a permanent -post. Two strong laagers were now, therefore, constructed, the first -about seven miles beyond Tenedos, and the other on the Inyezani river, a -few miles from where Pearson's first battle took place. The former of -these was called Fort Crealock, the latter Fort Chelmsford. As far as -position, and indeed construction, Fort Chelmsford had many advantages -not possessed by Fort Crealock. The nature of the soil upon which the -latter had been built had much to do with this; but there was but little -choice in the matter, as it was absolutely necessary that a strong post -should be built in this particular neighbourhood. The soil from which -most of the works had been thrown up was unfortunately of a light, sandy -nature, and of that particular unbinding description so disliked by -engineers. The high winds and rain which prevailed also quickly found -out the weak points in the armour of the fort, and working parties were -constantly employed in restoring what had been blown down or washed -away. Fort Chelmsford, on the contrary, had the advantage of a fine firm -soil, neither too heavy nor too light, while some quarries which had -been found within easy distance were of great assistance in supplying -the revêtements, galleries, and platforms. - -The fort itself was situated in a most picturesque part of the country. -The pass leading into the valley through which the river runs was most -romantic, winding through a delightful parklike country, crossed by -rapid streams of clear, ice-cold water, and, as it narrowed became quite -precipitous, the road dwindling to a mere footpath, so narrow that -mounted men could not ride more than two abreast. The kloof was flanked -on the precipice side by loose masses of rock, intermingled with trees -and bush, and tangled with monkey-ropes and creepers of all kinds. The -lower side sloped suddenly with a fall of about sixty feet to the bottom -of the valley, where a rapid mountain stream, gurgling as it rushes over -its rocky bed, fell soothingly upon the ear with a most dreamy yet -refreshing sound. The other road to the fort passed through a still more -beautiful valley, leading to the Inyezani kloof by a path cut in the -precipitous face of the hill, whose sides were clothed with "spekboem" -(elephant bush) and all kinds of flowering shrubs. The road looked down -a declivity of some 200 feet, and was worn in places into a perfect -staircase of boulders by successive torrents of tropical rain, and would -be quite impracticable for any other species of vehicle than a Cape -waggon. The edge facing the precipice had no kind of parapet, and the -dangerous nature of the pass was brought into still greater prominence -by the _débris_ of an ox waggon still lying broken up in minute -particles at the bottom of the valley, where it had evidently gone down -bodily with its span of oxen. The pass was, however, in spite of its -danger, very beautiful. Convolvuli ran over the bushes in rich clusters, -the star-shaped jessamine, with its pink undersides, and the magnificent -specimens of mesembryanthemums, or fig-marigolds, of which there are -hundreds of different species, having little transparent pellicles, -containing pure liquid, scattered over the leaves, giving them the -appearance of being sprinkled over with ice, and scarlet geraniums, -attaining a height of ten or twelve feet amidst the thick bush, glowed -on every side. - -Meanwhile General Wood had been no less busy in and around his camp at -Kambula. On April 17th he made a reconnaissance, at Lord Chelmsford's -suggestion, to the Blood river, where a site had been chosen for a -permanently entrenched camp, to serve as a large depôt for the main body -of the army. The ride was about fifteen miles, and the General and his -party passed through some beautiful valleys, and through a path cut in -the precipitous face of a pass whose sides were clothed with "spekboem" -(elephant bush) and various other flowering shrubs. After four miles' -cantering, they came to a part of the road which looked down a declivity -of some 200 feet. The scene was, however, most picturesque. Convolvuli, -the star-shaped jessamine, and the magnificent Strelitzia Reginae -flourished around, while scarlet geraniums attained to a height -unthought of in England. Two excellent sites for outposts were selected, -by which communication could be kept up with the large depôt and -Kambula. These had commanding positions, and subsequently stone -buildings were solidly constructed, square in form, but loopholed and -flanked by ditch _caponnières_, while each fort contained accommodation -for mounted men and a detachment of infantry. The Blood river, like most -South African streams, is subject to great fluctuations. At that period, -owing to recent rains, it was in flood, and in many places twenty and -thirty feet deep, running with a powerful current that rendered it most -dangerous to cross. The banks in most places are dangerously high, and -the sides are steeply scarped by the force of the stream. Fording-places -only occur at long intervals, so that when crossing in a flood, it is -not at all easy to hit them off, while if once carried down by the force -of the current the traveller has very little chance of escaping an -accident. The best way of crossing a flooded river, and that which was -adopted by regulation in Wood's column, is the Kaffir plan of taking off -some way up the stream, and so making a good allowance for driftage. Old -settlers and Boers often undress themselves completely before mounting -their horses, and carry their clothes and arms in a bundle on top of -their heads, in case of a capsize. The stirrups should, of course, be -crossed over the pommel of the saddle, and the horse allowed to have his -head, the rider guiding him by the snaffle, while in difficult cases it -is better for him to relieve his animal of weight altogether by floating -alongside and guiding his head in the proper direction. The Blood river -flows through some fine scenery, bordered, however, at times by -impenetrable bush and tangled vegetation of all descriptions, again -winding under lofty mountains of basaltic rock, beautifully variegated -with foliage, the thickets affording shelter to swarms of animal and -insect life, giving rise on a still evening to a perfect babel of sound, -amidst which the plaintive coo of the ringdove, the incessant chirp of -the cicala, the twittering of many-plumaged birds, and the hoarse -challenge of the bull-frogs are pre-eminent. Conspicuous among the birds -are to be noticed especially the little crested kingfisher, showing a -perfect gem of colour, several varieties of sugarbird--a species -somewhat allied to the hummingbirds, or "hoverers," which are -constantly to be seen flying restlessly over the aloe blossom--the -orange-throated lark, the blue jay, and the Zulu finch, whose black and -white plumage and red throat are set off by his long, streaming tail, -the feathers of which are so prolonged that when flying they nearly -overbalance him. The sandy plain on which the first fort was built was -covered with stunted karoo bush, and was full of Duyker gries-buck and -bush-buck, while two kinds of hares frequented the plain, the larger -kind grey-furred like the English rabbit, and a small red mountain -species, much better eating than the former, but which is scarcely -considered fit for the European table, on account of its scavenging -propensities. - -Colonel Buller's Frontier Light Horse was also largely reinforced, its -last augmentation being Captain Marshall's new troop of eighty -well-armed and well-mounted men. A corps of Natal Mounted Kaffirs, -principally recruited from the Edendal Mission-station, had also been -added to this command, and they were found most trustworthy and -intelligent. They were armed with the short Martini-Henry carbine, and -drilled with equal steadiness to the European troopers. - -Buller's Light Horse were destined to play so important a part in the -final advance on Ulundi, that a short description of their appearance -and equipment will not here be out of place. The first requisite was a -well-built, sober, and intelligent horseman, who in addition to being -able to shoot with the Martini-Henry, knew also how to groom, saddle, -and nurse his horse. This was required to be an animal neither leggy, -long-tailed, nor showy, but a clever, cobby sort of quadruped, who -could climb like a cat, and obey its master like a well-broken spaniel, -endued with a sound constitution, stout and wiry, and with a good turn -of speed. The saddlery was, as far as possible, of a uniform pattern, -and selected with considerable judgment and care. The great points were -that the tree should be wide enough in the fork not to pinch the -shoulders, but yet not so wide as to let the saddle right down on the -withers, with the seat long enough to sit in comfortably and to spread -the weight to some extent over the horse's back. As many of the Cape -horses are buck-jumpers, slightly-padded flaps were in vogue, although -not insisted upon. They are a great protection to the knees in riding -through bush. The saddle, of course, was provided with wallets in front, -which contained a couple of pairs of socks, one flannel shirt, a -tooth-brush, towel, and piece of yellow soap. Saddle-bags were worn only -when going on distant expeditions, but a tin mug, knife, fork, and -spoon, revolver, and flint and steel formed the invariable equipment of -these troopers, and with a cloak or blanket _à discrétion_ made up the -weight carried by the horse. Although the mounted infantry were -volunteers drawn from various line regiments, there was sufficient -leaven of the cavalry element to insure efficiency in the mounted -duties. When the corps was first raised any kind of dress was worn, but -fashion subsequently exerted its sway, and a rather picturesque "get-up" -became almost universally adopted. Broad-leaved felt hats, with coloured -puggarees, brown cord breeches, "baggy" to the last degree, and so -patched with untanned leather that the original material had almost -disappeared; a sort of patrol jacket, all over pockets, dyed mimosa -colour, and also patched with leather of any colour on the shoulders and -wherever the gun was accustomed to rest, brown laced gaiters, coming -high up the leg, and even thighs, and a rough coloured flannel shirt, -entirely open at the neck; such was the most usual costume. The rifles -were of various patterns--long Martinis, Martini-Henry carbines, some of -Sharpe's old-pattern Sniders, and Snider carbines. No bucket, however, -was ever used, as it was considered better that a man unencumbered with -a long sabre should have his weapon slung to his body, and not to his -horse. - -Another business that had also engaged Wood's time and attention was the -shifting of his camp. In point of fact, in spite of every precaution -taken, it was impossible to disguise the unpleasant fact that the very -air around the Kambula camp was tainted with blood and putridity, while -in the crevices and amidst the long, dank grasses which concealed the -bodies of those who after the battle crawled away to die unseen, lurked -the unmistakable odour of human decay and putrefaction. These were the -principal reasons which induced our chief to consult with the medical -authorities upon the advisability of moving away to fresh ground, and -this determination arrived at, its execution was not delayed for an -hour. In point of position, the site of our present laager was -preferable to the one quitted. The move was commenced and finished on -the same day, the 14th, and there was every reason to be satisfied with -the change. For beauty of site, as well as strategical considerations, -the position could scarcely be surpassed. It was as nearly as possible -a mile and a quarter west from the old camp, and towards the north-west -the view was indeed splendid. In front, and across the river, lay a -grassy plain, dotted pleasantly here and there with mimosa and -camel-thorn. This plain is hemmed in by the Zlobani mountains, on the -right by the spurs of the Inhlomiga, and away to the left by the -towering heights of the Makamba, rising to 4000 feet above the sea -level. The plain narrows backwards between the ranges into a "poort" or -valley, which, as it recedes away from the fort, presents a gloomy and -terrific aspect of solitude. Through it, and winding in and out amongst -tall boulders of rock, and under dangerous precipices, past wild and -gorgeous hollows, rank with the semi-tropical vegetation so peculiar to -this part of the country, runs a small footpath, by which, through heavy -clumps of thorny bush and over naked rock-bound ridges, the explorer -reaches the fertile valley, over which till lately frowned the -stronghold of Umbelini. To the north, and trending northwards ten or -twelve miles, spread the Elandsberg mountains, the lower portion of -whose sides are clothed with bush, presenting a sombre aspect, but the -upper portions of which, formed of huge crags and scarped walls of -granite and porphyry, glitter grandly in the sun, affording a glorious -and ever-changing panorama, stretching out for miles to where the range -terminates near the Pongolo river. - -The new fort was not so elaborate in its design as the last, though, -perhaps, as a defensive work more formidable. It was a six-angled -enclosure, about sixty yards wide, having a wide and deep ditch, -drawbridge, and platform. From its eastern angles projected two long -curtain walls, which enclosed a roomy and well-guarded "kraal" for -cattle and horses. These curtain walls were protected by the fire of the -angles from which they sprung, and the cattle enclosure did not in the -least interfere with the _enceinte_, as it had its own gateway and -drawbridge. At the end of the kraal furthest from the fort was a sort of -irregular redoubt, with a deep ditch and earthen walls revetted with -gabions, and defended by a formidable lot of cactus and thorns laid -along the parapet. This constituted the fort, which was situated on a -flat plateau overhanging a sharp bend of the river, which, being -commanded by the guns, afforded a fine supply of water and an excellent -bathing-place for the officers and men. This change caused a great -improvement in the health of the division generally, and especially -amongst the invalids in hospital. The deaths reported up to this period -were the following: the Hon. Rudolph Gough, from dysentery; Lieut. -Alderton, drowned; Captain Sandham, of the 90th, and Assistant -Commissary Phillimore, of fever; Privates Achmuty and Moone, 13th Light -Infantry, of wounds received at Kambula. - -On the 16th April there occurred an event that caused a great sensation -in the camp, the history of which throws into the shade so many tales of -romance and fictions of adventures in savage lands, and narrow escapes -by flood and field, that it deserves to be recorded at length. - -Among the fifty horsemen who rode under the command of poor Weatherly -there were no better soldiers nor more popular comrades in their corps -than two young Frenchmen, named respectively Ernest Grandier, a -well-made, athletic, and powerful trooper, and Cramazan Baudoin, a stout -and equally stalwart fellow. Both these men were natives of Bordeaux, -and had come out to the colony together about five years before with the -intention of trying their fortunes in the wine trade. They had both -served their time in the French army, and when the present war commenced -could not resist the temptation of seeing service under such a gallant -commander as Weatherly, whose knowledge of France and the Continent -generally obtained him many excellent French and German recruits. On the -day of the Zlobani attack, owing to a thick fog which suddenly came on, -Colonel Weatherly's troops missed their road and were unable to effect -the junction with Buller ordered by Colonel Wood. The Zlobani mountain -was successfully carried by Colonel Buller and his horsemen at daylight -on the 28th March, and Colonel Wood, who was with Russell's horsemen a -few miles to the west, pushed forward on the same morning with his usual -small escort of the 90th mounted men and overtook Weatherly, who had -been all night trying to find the path. After the summit of the mountain -had been gained, under a heavy fire, during which Captain Ronald -Campbell and Mr. Lloyd were killed, Colonel Weatherly was ordered to -move round to the other flank, and make good his retreat by the eastern -side of the mountain. In endeavouring to effect this movement they -became surrounded and cut off by Zulus in front and rear. Weatherly was -killed in the endeavour to save his son; a few of the troopers managed -to cut their way, under the most terrible difficulties, through the -bloodthirsty hordes hemming them in on the far east of the mountain; -and Grandier and his friend, who had promised to keep together, found -themselves, with a couple more of their comrades, in the midst of about -a hundred yelling Zulus, while the bodies of their slaughtered friends -were being hurled over the rocks on every side. Grandier, although -slightly wounded in the side and wrist, was still mounted, but Baudoin's -horse had been shot early in the day, and he was, bruised and blown, -about to fall into the hands of the pursuers, when his gallant comrade -sprang off his stout little horse and placed the fugitive upon the -saddle, intending to mount also as soon as more favourable ground could -be reached. He saw, besides, that two of his comrades were not far in -front, and twice called upon them to turn and make a stand. -Unfortunately, the shouts of the Zulus and the clang of the conflict -drowned his voice, and they rode on, while Baudoin in the meanwhile was -compelled by a fresh rush of Zulus to turn up another path. Grandier now -endeavoured to follow the two horsemen on foot, and being tolerably -fresh he managed for some little time to keep on his legs. Passing some -large rocks, however, which jutted out half across the pathway, a large -piece of stone was hurled at him from above, and felled him to the -ground, and while half-stunned and insensible, he was overtaken by -half-a-dozen savages, and after receiving several severe blows from -knobkerries, was seized and pinioned with thongs. Even as they lifted -him, he could see in the distance that Baudoin had managed to gain the -troopers in advance, and the three seemed to have some chance of escape. -Umbelini's "big place," or kraal, is on the south side of the Zlobani, -and rather more than half way up from the valley. To this place, with a -considerable amount of abuse, Grandier was led. Wounded as he was, -beaten, bruised, and footsore, the prisoner was dragged round the slopes -of the mountain, and forced by assegais to keep up with his escort, who, -like all their countrymen, went at a sort of double stride or trot until -the outskirts of the kraal were reached. The sun was still high over the -mountain when they reached Umbelini's stronghold, and he was at once -placed under an escort in one of the Zulu huts, which formed part of the -outer circle of the defences. It was constructed of strong wickerwork, -and thatched with reeds and long grass, the door being merely a small -matted hurdle, which did not so entirely block the doorway as to prevent -those outside from looking in--an advantage of which the crowd of men, -women, and children did not fail to avail themselves to the fullest -extent. The walls were so thin that voices and conversation, even though -carried on in a moderate tone, could be distinctly heard from hut to -hut. After having been kept without food or water for some hours, -Grandier was brought the same evening before the chief, Umbelini, whose -appearance he described as at the same time villainous and ferocious in -the extreme. The interview was certainly an interesting one. The name -and power of the ex-Swazi chief were known and renowned all over -Zululand. The recent favour shown to him by Cetywayo, and his position -being now considered as more that of an ally than a vassal, gave to his -authority and prestige an influence they had never before possessed. So -blindly did his people believe in him, that it is more than probable -had further success crowned his efforts, he would have been found a -dangerous rival for the Zulu throne. Umbelini sat in front of the -principal hut, surrounded by about fifty of his favourite warriors, -while large numbers of savages appeared to be leaving the kraal in -different directions. Masses of natives, evidently belonging to outlying -tribes, were continually arriving, and reports were brought from time to -time to the chief, who gave his orders rapidly and without hesitation. -Upwards of a hundred principal men appeared to be in conference with -Umbelini, and the number seemed rapidly increasing. Many of these men, -Grandier had reason to believe, were ambassadors from Cetywayo, and -officers belonging to the force he sent to assist in Wood's destruction. -A covering of skins was fastened round the waist of each, and broad -rings of copper were worn round the ankles and arms of those of the -highest rank. Plumes of feathers adorned the heads of others who were -more scantily clad, and who were evidently dressed for battle; while -others again wore, something after the fashion of a Hungarian pelisse, -skins of panthers or other striped animals. The array of dusky savages -was certainly imposing, and it was doubtless arranged with a view to -effect. Each left hand supported a shield of tanned buffalo hide, -surmounted with plumes of ostrich feathers. The same hand grasped a long -bunch of assegais, while the right held the short stabbing-spear. Round -the necks of those of high rank was usually a necklace, made of some -wild animal's or possibly human teeth, from which hung a long knife or -dagger. About half of these warriors carried fire-arms, which were, -however, of every conceivable make and pattern. The enclosure into which -the prisoner was conducted, or rather hurled, was formed of the branches -of the mimosa, strongly and tightly interlaced, and from the height at -which it stood a splendid view could be obtained. All round were -situated the huts of the tribe, looking like large-sized beehives, while -close to each was a little walled space, in which the family wealth, -consisting of oxen and other cattle, was kept. Umbelini, in spite of the -sinister and ferocious aspect he wore, was not without a certain savage -dignity which evidently impressed not only his own people, but also the -indunas from Cetywayo. Perhaps the consciousness of their presence, and -the knowledge that this scene would be reported to headquarters, gave an -increase of grave majesty to his manner, and rendered him less repulsive -in his action and speech. There was a certain air of thought, and even -command in his face, which was in striking contrast to those around him. -His hair was plastered with the usual circlet of red clay, but his -forehead was encircled with a fillet of young ostrich feathers, -terminating in a single plume hanging behind. Heavy rings of polished -metal spanned the thick part of his arms, and lighter ones of the same -material were round his waist. The neck, thick, massive, and bull-like, -was adorned with a necklace formed of human teeth, from which hung the -usual knife, while over the broad black and hairy breast swept a -splendid ostrich feather. In the right hand he held his only weapon, a -kind of short but deadly knobkerrie, while his left hand rested upon his -naked knee. But for the low forehead, the large mouth, and the enormous -under-hanging animal lip, Umbelini might be described as a fine, indeed -splendid specimen of the South African warrior. - -A chief named Nyamba, who had spoken a few words of English to Grandier, -now explained to Umbelini who the prisoner was, and under what -circumstances he had been taken, and at his suggestion a Zulu named -Nicohlomba, who was known to have once lived in Natal, was brought into -the enclosure as an interpreter. "What have your English dogs done with -the traitor Oham?" was the first question asked by the chief. "I hear -the English are going to make him king in our land." Grandier, with -composure, replied he knew nothing of Oham or the intentions of -Government. "What has become of Somtsen (Shepstone)?" was the next -query, and then, when the prisoner said he was equally ignorant on that -point, a whispered conversation took place between the two chiefs, who -ordered Grandier to be taken back out of earshot, while the indunas were -called up to confer. After five minutes' anxious deliberation, the -prisoner was again called up, and severely and minutely questioned as to -the numerical force at Kambula camp, and as to who was in command. -Through the Zulu interpreter, whose English was not much better than -that of the younger chief, Grandier explained that he was but a simple -trooper fighting for his daily pay, and knew little or nothing of the -questions demanded. Umbelini, who had been hitherto seated, rose up, -looked round the circle, and all at once poured forth a torrent of -words, which seemed to have a wonderful effect upon the crowd. He -seemed, as far as Grandier could glean, from the few Zulu sentences he -knew, to be a sort of welcome to some honoured arrivals (probably the -indunas from Ulundi), and when the Swazi chief had finished, a young -Zulu chief named Umlambongwenya (the Great Alligator) stepped forward -and warmly congratulated Umbelini on the battle of the previous day, -and, pointing to the prisoner, added some request. The circle of -warriors loudly applauded, striking their shields, and this brought a -large increase of numbers to the enclosure, where the applause became -almost deafening. Grandier now fancied that his hour was come, and -prepared to meet his death like a brave man; but to his astonishment, he -was taken out of the enclosure, and once more bound to a heavy log or -stump outside the hut, where he was allowed a little milk and a few -husks of maize. When the next day came, at daybreak, he was again -brought forth to be examined. A circle was now formed round the -unfortunate prisoner, who was firmly bound with thongs of raw hide to a -stout tree in the centre, while round and round the youngest of the -warriors danced, chanting a melancholy dirge, and keeping time upon his -naked body with the butt ends of their stabbing assegais. Suddenly these -proceedings were disturbed by the arrival of a new actor upon the scene. -A tall and elderly savage, almost a skeleton in attenuation, bounded -into the inner circle. This creature, who was a sort of witch doctor, -prophet, and sorcerer, commenced to execute a species of weird dance, -spinning round the circle like a teetotum, and uttering all the time -hideous and guttural sounds. All the warriors now remained silent, and -crouched down, still keeping the circle intact, and kept time to the old -savage's dance by monotonously beating the hard ground with their -knobkerries. Again did the wretched prisoner, now almost worn out by -cold, hunger, and thirst, believe that the torture was about to -commence, and once more was he agreeably disappointed, for, stopping -suddenly in the midst of his mad antics, the sorcerer flung himself -violently at the feet of Umbelini, and breaking as he did so a necklace -of human bones which he wore, pointed over his head towards the east, -where the sun was now lighting up the hills and valleys towards Ulundi, -in which direction, coming across one of the mountains some ten miles -off, could be seen, so clear was the pure atmosphere, a huge and dusky -column, marching with a cloud of skirmishers running along the terraces -of the rocks lower down. These were evidently the advanced guard of the -impi promised by Cetywayo to Umbelini for the destruction of Wood's -kraal; and as the troops came nearer and more into the sunlight, the -principal warriors round Umbelini executed a war-dance round the -sorcerer and Grandier, who had now given up all hope. The savages -yelled, leaped, threw themselves bodily into the air, and went through -all the motions of savage conflict, gesticulating, threatening, -pursuing, stabbing the fallen, and rehearsing, in fact, the performance -they soon expected to go through at the expense of the British soldiers. - -The advent of the coming reinforcements caused the wildest excitement in -the camp of Umbelini, and the horror of Grandier's impending death was -infinitely aggravated by the helplessness he felt in not being able to -give any warning to his gallant chief and comrades. Still he was in some -degree consoled by the subsequent reflection that his commander at -Kambula was a most unlikely man to be caught unawares, and he therefore -resigned himself calmly to his fate. He was not left long in doubt as to -his destination, for the chief, Umbelini, considered that it would be a -compliment to Cetywayo to send him a white prisoner. While waiting, -however, to be taken to Ulundi, he could not avoid seeing the -preparations for the forthcoming attack, and, before his departure he -witnessed the march of Cetywayo's impi towards Kambula. Before -commencing the journey, his guards carefully stripped him of all his -clothes, which they divided amongst themselves and wore, and likewise -compelled him to carry their food. For four days, quite naked, with the -exception of his hat and a pocket handkerchief, which he had tied round -his waist, he was compelled by his inhuman escort to keep up with their -rapid pace. Barefooted, black and blue with bruises, and still suffering -from exposure and want of nourishment, this brave and devoted soldier -bore up against his torture. Each night he received a small handful of -green mealies, and was bound tightly with sharp and cutting thongs to a -thorn bush; and while he reposed, taking it in turns, one of his guards -always kept watch over him. Now and then a kraal was passed on the road, -and here old women and children, the only creatures who seemed left, -came out and reviled and scratched him. On the fourth day, towards -sundown, Grandier could tell, from what he overheard, that they were -drawing near to the king's kraal. - -When close to the king's kraal, on the afternoon of the fourth day's -journey, one of Grandier's escort went forward to announce his arrival; -and after suffering the usual torment of being tied all night to a tree -(this time his clothes, now torn to rags, being given to him), on the -next day at noon he was brought before the king, whom he described as a -stout, medium-sized man, not so fat, however, or so tall as his brother -Oham. Almost the same questions were now put to the prisoner as he had -previously declined to answer at Zlobani, and this time the conversation -was carried on by means of a man who had the appearance of a mongrel -Dutchman, who was known to belong to Cetywayo's staff. In speaking of -his brother Oham the king seemed greatly enraged, and he vowed with many -emphases that he would mete out a terrible punishment to him and the -dogs who had dared to invade his country. Grandier, on being pressed, -saw no reason to deny the strength of General Wood's force or the name -of its commander, and he set it down at 4000 men, at which the king -seemed astonished. - -Grandier described the king as having frequent interviews with him, -during which time he would have colonial newspapers, of which there were -a quantity, translated to him. This fact will probably be taken as the -means by which he had been able to learn Lord Chelmsford's movements; -and if he read the contemptuous tone in which our soldiers were spoken -of by these journals, it would, in a great measure, account for the poor -opinion he seemed, till Ginghilovo and Kambula, to entertain of our -commanders. The king made frequent overtures to his prisoner, to induce -him to join his army, and offered him wives, cattle, and land if he -could assist his half-caste Portuguese armourer in unspiking the two -guns taken at Isandula. These interviews continued for several days, and -finally, when nothing could be obtained by the offered bribes, he was -relegated to a hut, where, bound each night with painfully tight thongs, -he was watched by relays of old women--hideous hags, whose amusement was -to tear out his hair and stick pins into him whenever he endeavoured to -sleep. In the daytime, during eight days, he was regularly tied to a -tree, and beaten by assegais by every warrior whose fancy it was to pass -that way, the offers, however, being daily repeated. At last came a -messenger with the news of the Kambula battle, the Zulu defeat, and the -deaths of Umbelini and his brother; and the king's grief first, and rage -afterwards, exceeded all bounds. Grandier was then ordered to be -reconducted to Umbelini's kraal, and there to be tortured and put to -death as a sacrifice to the spirit of Umbelini, and on the following -morning, at daybreak, he was sent off, fortunately with an escort of -only two men, each armed with assegais, and one with a muzzle-loading -rifle. After ten miles' journey, the chief Inyaneme was met returning to -Ulundi, and he was informed by Grandier's escort of the fate awarded to -him. About midday on the 13th Grandier, worn out with heat and thirst, -bleeding and swollen feet, and nearly starved, sank upon the veldt, and -said he could go no further. He was then severely beaten, so severely -that he fainted; and his guards, fearing he would die in their hands, -gave him some water, and took him to a ripe mealy field to eat. Being a -man of iron constitution, he was soon revived; while, having his wits -about him, he thought that now or never was his hope of liberty. When he -had eaten a few mealies he returned to his escort, and found them -reclining--the most dangerous antagonist, the man with the rifle, being -in a sort of half-doze, while his comrade, who had just finished his -midday meal, was employed in packing away the remnants. Pretending to -totter, Grandier sank upon the ground, as near as possible to the man -with the gun, and while affecting to sleep, saw that no suspicion was -aroused. The gun could not be reached, but the assegais were not far, -and better, he thought, would be a bold struggle for life, even if he -failed and was killed in the encounter, than the agony of slow torture -he would otherwise endure. Watching his opportunity, and while the least -drowsy Zulu was turning his head to take some snuff from the little horn -usually worn in the ear, Grandier leant silently over, and noiselessly -removing the stabbing assegai from under the arm of the man with the -gun, with both his hands, for they were still tied, he nerved himself -with the courage of despair, and throwing his whole weight into the -blow, pinned the sleeping Zulu to the ground, while at the same instant -he seized the gun. The shock was fortunately so great that the thongs -were burst, and he had time to face the other savage with the loaded -weapon, and both wrists free. This spectacle so astonished the Zulu, -that, giving one glance at his impaled comrade, he darted away without -attempting to fight. Grandier, of course, saw the imprudence of risking -a shot, so first despoiling the dead man of his ammunition, he crept -away, and took refuge in the nearest bush. After the excitement of the -last hour he was not sorry to obtain some rest; accordingly he lay down -for twenty minutes or half an hour, and then thought he might venture to -reconnoitre as far as the top of the hill. He saw nothing; so, making -his way back to the bush, he remained till dark, when he made up his -mind to travel all night, finding his way luckily by his knowledge of -the position of the constellations. The next day from a high cliff he -watched a large body of Zulus quite close to him underneath, driving -cattle in the direction from which he had come, and he consequently did -not venture to move out of a cave he had found till they were well out -of sight. For two nights, and while subsisting on the small store of -mealies he had taken from the dead Zulu, he travelled, fortunately in -the right direction, but with more than one narrow escape on nearing -Zulu kraals. On Wednesday, the 16th of April, just three days after his -escape from his guards, this brave and resolute man espied, away in the -distance, what to his practised eye was a European scout. Fortunately he -was seen. As the remainder of the patrol came up to him he fell, -bleeding and exhausted, but undaunted, at the feet of some of Ralf's -Horse, who were exploring, and was by them carried back to Wood's camp, -where after some days in hospital he was able to resume duty and share -in the final attack on Ulundi. - -A very few days after the battle of Kambula sufficed to clear the -neighbourhood of Zulus, though occasionally skirmishes kept occurring -farther off; and the latest news received was that Captain Prior, of the -80th Foot, proceeding with a mounted patrol from Luneberg in the -direction of the Upper Pongolo Drift, had fallen in with Umbelini's -force. Having trotted about ten miles from Luneberg he came up with -about twenty friendly natives, who informed him that a band of Zulus -were sweeping horses and cattle from the valley. Guided by these people, -he made such good use of his time that he soon came within 800 yards of -the marauders, who were driving away a large quantity of horses and -cattle. Captain Prior charged into and dispersed them, recapturing -eighteen horses and a number of cattle, and, leaving these in charge of -Lieutenant Ussher, he continued the pursuit, killing several of the -enemy, amongst whom was a younger son of Usirayo. It has since been -ascertained that Umbelini was of the party, and was so badly wounded in -the skirmish, that he subsequently died in a cave where he took refuge. -This Zulu party was subsequently ascertained to be a portion of the -force that fought at Zlobani, and one of the recaptured horses was -recognized as belonging to a mounted private of the 80th, attached to -Russell's Mounted Infantry. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - Lord Chelmsford with Wood at Kambula--Patrol by Buller--Capture of - cattle--Scene from Kambula Kop--Zulu attack on patrol--Removal of - Wood's camp to Mayegwhana--Wood's force--Scarcity of drivers and - voorlopers--Newdigate at Conference Hill--Fort and depôt at - Conference Hill--Work of No. 1 column--Exciting incident with a - convoy--Distribution of troops--Forts on the Tugela, Inyezani, and - at Ginghilovo--System of guards and precautions against - surprises--All ready for the advance--Recapitulation of military - situation--Newdigate's forts at Landsman's Drift--Arrangements for - garrisons in rear of advance--The Lower Tugela command--Patrol by - Wood and Buller in direction of Isandhlwana--Second patrol by - Buller--Zulu attack--The Prince Imperial on patrol--Reconnaissance - in force to Isandhlwana and burial of the dead. - - -On the morning of May 3rd, Lord Chelmsford, with Prince Louis Napoleon, -Colonel Crealock, and Captain Molyneux, arrived at Wood's camp at -Kambula. His lordship went round the camp soon after his arrival, and -expressed himself uncommonly pleased with all the arrangements for the -discipline and internal economy of the laager, being particularly struck -with the quiet and easy way in which all the duties were carried on, -without noise, excitement, or delay of any kind. The whole force was -paraded in the afternoon for the General's inspection, and his lordship -took the opportunity of saying a few well-chosen and appropriate words -to each corps. - -On the following morning (Sunday), after divine service was over, Lord -Chelmsford suggested to General Wood that it would be advisable to make -a reconnaissance in the direction of the White Umvolosi valley in view -of choosing a suitable position for an entrenched camp within easy -communication of Durnberg and Conference Hill. The day was fine and -pleasant, and Buller, who had proceeded in advance with a number of his -scouts, soon signalled back that the patrol were watched by a number of -Zulus, who now and then exchanged shots with his men from the -neighbouring hills. After riding about three miles towards the -south-east in the direction of the Zinguin Neck and Tonguin mountain, -the party entered a rugged part of the country near where the White -Umvolosi takes its rise, passing along by a winding road, flanked on -either side by the usual mimosa thorns, when suddenly was heard the -"whirr! whirr!" of a couple of leaden messengers, though as yet nothing -in the shape of an enemy could be seen. In a short time, however, Wood, -who had cantered on in front, saw with his practised eye sundry -copper-coloured bodies creeping along in the bushes below about half a -mile off. They were so intent upon watching Wood and his group of -horsemen that they did not at first see that about a score of Buller's -men had gained their flank, and almost cut them off. It was a most -exciting scene as the mounted scouts were observed looking about for -something in the shape of a path by which to descend the cliff which -formed at this part almost a sheer precipice of some 300 feet. They, -however, managed the descent by a rough cattle-path, sending down -showers of loose stones and _débris_ before them as their horses half -slid, half scrambled to the base. All this time the main body were -crossing a wide plateau dominating the White Umvolosi valley and the -river, which wound away at the base of the cliff. Looking over the -precipitous sides, they could perceive a small herd of cattle penned up -in a kraal in the centre of a little bush-covered flat adjoining the -stream. As it was thought just possible that they might capture some -prisoners, and obtain information of what Zulu forces were in the -neighbourhood, and as cattle-hunting is one of the great ends of Zulu -warfare, half a dozen of the General's escort were detached to see what -they could effect. Getting down the cliff as well as they could, and -then winding through the dense thorns in the valley, they soon found the -kraal, and, having collected the cattle, began to return. But this was -certainly a puzzle upon which they had not calculated. To ascend the -cliff by the way they had come was impossible, whilst on the other side -ran the river, wide, and apparently very deep. Undoubtedly the only way -out of the difficulty was to find a ford. They were, therefore, busily -occupied in searching for one, when they perceived a mounted scout, sent -by Buller, on the other side of the stream, who was gesticulating very -excitedly, and trying to warn them of some danger. As it was impossible -at the distance to hear what he said, one of the mounted men was sent -down to the bank, and he came back with the news that the bush behind -was full of Zulus. The warning did not come a moment too soon, for -within fifty yards of them came a crowd of naked savages, yelling and -flourishing their assegais and rifles, in evident triumph at the success -of their stratagem. Shouting, therefore, to the men who were staying -behind with the cattle, the rest put spurs to their horses and galloped -along the banks of the river, looking out all the time for any sign of a -ford by which they might cross. Fortunately this situation was seen by -that portion of the party who had gone round by the opposite bank, and -they had come down to meet their comrades, having hit upon a ford higher -up the stream. It was, however, a close shave, so close indeed that by -the time they had reached the other side of the river by the ford, which -was up to the horses' girths, and which they splashed through at a -gallop, the Zulus had actually reached the bank, and were only prevented -from capturing the two men left behind with the cattle by some -well-directed shots. The yells of baffled rage from the disappointed -Zulus were answered by a ringing cheer of triumph from the little party -as they rode up the steep which led to the column. The enemy, however, -still continued to appear at various points along the sides of the -hills, and in some places appeared to be dropping like monkeys from crag -to crag, and it was easy to see that had not these scouts been mounted -they would have been greatly at a disadvantage on such difficult ground. -In fact, part of the line of scouts was in a valley surrounded by -mountains, and from which egress, in case of a struggle setting in, -would be difficult. They, therefore, hurried to get upon ground more -favourable for cavalry movements. As they did so the rear sections had -twice to turn and drive off the enemy, who began to come closer to -their rear. Facing about, one of the sergeants charged right at them -with half a dozen men, and silenced their fire on the right. Several -more galloped to the left rear, where the fire was as close as fifty and -sixty yards, and on this occasion all had some narrow escapes. However, -in about a quarter of an hour they rejoined the main body, having driven -off the Zulus. Their horses' heads, however, had hardly cleared the -bushes when shriller yells than before arose along the mountains in -front, and they had only commenced riding into the plain when another -sharp rifle fire began crackling along the ridges of the Zinguin Neck. -As they steadily advanced this firing ceased, and the scene along the -hills, which seemed to terminate to the west in a stupendous cliff, -became more varied and interesting. Signal fire after signal fire of -grass was lighted, and broad columns of smoke rolled into the air, and -these being repeated from summit to summit, evidently showed that their -movements were carefully watched. A party of horsemen was now despatched -to scour the valley on the left front, and all along the woods, which -fringed the sides of the steep hills in front, jets of smoke marked -their downward progress. As the crackling and flashing approached the -bush where the hills met the plain, individual forms of Zulus could be -seen, and then coming swiftly towards the main body there broke out from -the dust and smoke a small mob of cattle, quickly followed by the -skirmishers galloping in. Three small kraals were found to be in flames, -fired by the Zulus as they retired with their cattle before the advance -of the English horsemen. Two mobs of oxen could be seen, numbering some -hundreds, which were being hurried away to inaccessible places. The -ground in front of the English force was of a loose and calcareous -nature, and, occupying as it did the space between mountain and river, -was torn and cut up in every direction by deep white gullies, by which -the Zulus were retiring sheltered from attack. The ridges between these -gullies afforded the enemy additional shelter, being grown over with -scrubby brush. Half the cavalry were now sent on to secure the -approaches to the river, and guard against any surprise in that -direction, and in a quarter of an hour, protected by the horsemen in -rear, the whole body had passed over in safety. - -The General, with his escort, had during the morning's march passed two -of his old camps on the Kambula, and about twelve miles further on came -to a piece of elevated rock or hillock, whence they had a capital view -of White Umvolosi valley, while to the south-west they looked down upon -the Blood river, Conference Hill, and the dark shadow of the Durnberg -range beyond. The Zinguin Neck, where the White Umvolosi has its source, -stretched away at their feet, and farther behind they looked upon the -southern slopes of Zlobani, rising in ledges or bastions in the -distance. Just underneath the shoulder of Conference Hill could be seen, -in the bright sunlight, the white tents of Newdigate's division, and in -the opposite direction was a magnificent view of the precipitous -terraced ledges of the Zlobani, down which our brave fellows had been -driven on the fatal 28th of March. As soon as they reached the top of -the Zinguin they were met by Buller, whose people were actively engaged -in harassing a number of Zulus who were keeping up a desultory and -harmless fire from the krantz in front. The breeze now cleared away the -mists which hung over the valley, and away to the west could be made out -what seemed to be a village perched upon a terrace half way up the berg. -The face of this terrace presented a wild and singular appearance. What -at a distance had appeared level and almost unbroken was in reality a -sort of amphitheatre not less than 1000 feet high, crescent shaped, and -with a terrace fortified by low stone walls springing from rock to rock, -and intersected by enormous fissures or caves connected with each other, -and from which cover a dropping fire was kept up. Leaving their horses -in charge of some few of the men, some twenty riflemen dashed into these -rocks, where the cover would equally shelter them with the enemy. From -this moment the ringing of shots was incessant, and it soon became -evident that the Zulus were in force in a favourable position to annoy -the column until they were expelled. The face of the crescent seemed as -if some powerful eruption had flung from the top of the hill on to its -sides tons of black and jagged rocks and stones, which, piled in wild -confusion and irregularity on top of each other up the face of the -position, presented innumerable caves and crannies, from which, as well -as from stone walls, jets of smoke and bullets were continually issuing. -The dismounted men, meanwhile, began to swarm up the right and left hand -ridges, potting away as they advanced, while a few moved up the centre, -firing when necessary and taking advantage of what cover was afforded. -Several exciting incidents now occurred. As these sharpshooters gained -a better and more commanding position for their concerted attack, the -Zulus, finding the situation rather too hot, one by one began to escape, -and the moment a dusky form was seen gliding through the thorns half a -dozen rifles rang out, sometimes succeeded by the crashing sound of the -body of a huge savage rolling from a high rock to the stones below. It -was simply wonderful to see in what small crevices these big Zulus had -squeezed themselves. Sometimes three or four would get together in one -spot, generally a small cave almost inaccessible from above or below, -and which could only be approached by working along the sides, under the -fire of dozens of other caves and loopholes, every one of which seemed -scooped out for the purpose of creating a cross-fire. As, therefore, to -force home an attack on such positions was not the present object of -Lord Chelmsford, whose purpose and that of General Wood had already been -achieved in the survey they had made, the further retreat of the savages -was not molested, and the order was given to remount and prepare to -return to camp. As the mounted men extended to cover the rear of the -column they were greeted by yells from the few Zulus they had not -dislodged, and a few parting shots were sent after them as they -descended the slope. - -On the following morning Wood's entire force paraded at daybreak, tents -were struck, waggons packed, and they bade farewell to Kambula range, -upon which they had been so long encamped in various positions, and set -out for Mayegwhana, where a fresh camp was pitched. Mayegwhana, or -Queen's Kraal, is as nearly as possible three miles north of Bemba's -Kop, on which some months ago, and before he went on to Kambula, General -Wood was encamped. In this new camp Wood had with him the following -troops:--The 13th Light Infantry, under Major England [their colonel, -Gilbert, having gone into Utrecht on a few days' well-earned sick-leave. -Of this fine corps Captains Cox and Persse, both rather badly wounded at -Kambula, were rapidly progressing towards convalescence. Poor Leet, the -other major, still suffered from his crushed foot, which was caused as -far back as February, but which accident did not prevent his saving a -comrade during Zlobani's fatal day, and for which General Wood -recommended him for the honour of a Victoria Cross]; the 90th Light -Infantry, under their own commanding officer, Colonel Cherry; the two -corps making up a compact and admirably homogeneous brigade of 1200. One -thousand men of Buller's and Russell's Horse, now in better condition -than ever, and excellently mounted, with a body of Royal Engineers and -Major Tremlett's battery of mounted guns; a total of 2000 Europeans, and -about 1200 Native Contingent, or in all about 3200 men. With this force, -and supported actively from its base, there could be no difficulty or -danger in pushing on, and it was no secret that the inactivity they were -forced to endure did not lie at General Wood's door, for he on more than -one occasion suggested substitutes for waggon transport--the cause of -the prevailing inaction. Drivers and foreloopers were what could not be -obtained. One of such is required for each span of oxen, the driver, who -stands on the front seat of the waggon and wields an enormously long -whip, and the _voorloper_, who leads in front. Ever since the day of -Isandhlwana, and on account of the panic which prevailed from that date, -due to the massacre of the natives then employed, it was found -impossible to obtain their services in adequate numbers; and even of -those still in employ numbers were continually deserting, for the -purpose of returning to their respective homes within the border. -Meanwhile Wood was not idle, but, day by day, was making the best use of -the scanty material at his disposal. The few drivers and foreloopers he -had been able to retain were sent for and paraded before the General, -who briefly explained to them that in future they should be armed, fully -organized, receive regular rates of daily and liberal pay, while their -personal safety should be looked after by the employment of strong -guards and convoys wherever they had to march. This, it must be allowed, -was much wanted, and gave some grounds for complaint, as in the earlier -stages of the campaign the waggons on too many occasions were not only -allowed to straggle, but were left to shift for themselves. Behind -General Wood's new camp, about ten miles off, and at right angles to -Bemba's Kop, was Conference Hill, at which place General Newdigate was -concentrating the bulk of his command. He had with him at this time the -King's Dragoon Guards, the left wing of the 17th Lancers, part of the -21st Fusiliers and 58th Regiments, with N Battery 6th Brigade Royal -Artillery. Seven miles away from Conference Hill was Doornkop, and here -were the 94th Regiment, three companies of the 21st, and four of the -80th. Conference Hill was within a very short time rendered practically -impregnable by works constructed by the 94th Regiment, who, under -Colonel Malthus, encamped at this spot; it also became one of the chief -depôts for the supplies of Newdigate's division. This depôt was formed -upon a kop, or rising ground, to the east of the larger hill, and was -protected by three exceedingly well-built forts, constructed _en -échelon_, so as to afford a mutual and most effectively-planned flanking -defence. The largest of these forts was a regularly traced bastion of -polygonal form, with the length of its lines of defence in due -proportion to the range of the weapons likely to be employed. The -exterior sides of this work were 150 yards in length, and the parapet -was sufficiently thick to resist anything but artillery fire. The flanks -were drawn at right angles to the faces, so as to give a fire which -could sweep the ditches and ground in front of the bastions. A couple of -ramps were cut in the prolongation of the ditch of the face, whose -surface passed through the crests of the flanks and lines drawn parallel -to the bottom of the counterscarp of the opposite flank, and about two -feet and a half above them. This fort was garrisoned by the headquarters -of the 94th, and the other two, of somewhat smaller dimensions, by a -company each of the Royal Engineers and the 94th. Considerable pains -were expended in the construction of these works, which did the -Engineers and the 94th the greatest credit for the workmanlike line and -scientific character of their tracing and position. The plan of these -works somewhat resembled that adopted by General Newdigate at Landsman's -Drift. The cattle laager was composed of waggons formed into square, -while at each salient angle were small forts--one of which had -artillery--and the whole were joined corner to corner, so that a -straight line drawn between their extreme points would pass through the -centre of each square. By this means a perfect flanking defence was -obtained, as each fort commanded two faces of the laager. Meanwhile the -First Division had been by no means idle, in spite of their difficulties -as to transport and the attacks of camp fever, which had been so much -more frequent with them than with No. 2 column. From their base at Fort -Tenedos a convoy was started every eight days to Fort Chelmsford, on the -Inyezani, and its regular departure did much to expedite the forward -movement of that force. On the 5th May, however, a somewhat more -exciting episode took place. A convoy of the usual description was -paraded on that day for the conveyance of stores and ammunition to the -Inyezani. Fifty waggons, not too heavily laden, with 3000 barrels on -each, were detailed under the protection of a convoy, composed of C -Troop of Lonsdale's Horse, commanded by Captain Hampden Whalley. From -the foot of the fort whence the convoy started stretches a sandy plain, -dotted with trees, and containing about 3000 acres. This, as it gets -narrowed into a gorge between the river and the mountains, becomes -broken, being intruded upon in every direction by foot-hills and -watercourses. The fort cattle were grazing upon this plain under the -charge of some of De Burgh's horsemen, when, as the convoy was passing -across the first drift over the river, about two miles from the fort, -but out of sight of the sentries, suddenly there sprang out from gully -and kloof hundreds of swarthy warriors, who set to work, some shouting -and firing, to try and drive the cattle away through the pass, whilst -others, by far the larger portion, made a combined onslaught upon the -leading and rear waggons of the train. The convoy had, therefore, a -double duty to perform--to assist De Burgh's men in recovering the -grazing cattle, and also to beat off the Zulus who were attacking the -waggons. Their object was to intercept the cattle now being run off at a -rapid pace, and to secure the waggons in front and rear, which had been -partly surrounded by the enemy. Whalley at once despatched a messenger -to the fort for assistance, and remaining himself, as in duty bound, to -repulse the waggon attack, detached about twenty of his best men, under -his subaltern, to overtake and bring back the absconding oxen. The -waggons were soon out of danger; for the men dashed at the Zulus in such -a determined manner that the attacking party, not very numerous, soon -bolted into the bush, but the other portion of the skirmishes deserves -description. After a gallop of a mile the leading troopers in pursuit -came up with the enemy and the cattle, which were now all in confusion -and involved in the broken waterworn hills at the foot of the pass, and, -on looking back, they were astonished and considerably mortified to find -that they did not appear to be followed by the rest of their party! -Undauntedly, however, the sergeant in command pushed on, firing steadily -and with fatal effect from the saddle, and, with his gaze fixed firmly -upon the leading cattle, worked his way through the frightened oxen to -the front. He was well and gallantly followed by half a dozen men, who -had managed to keep up with him in his rapid ride in pursuit, and these -fine fellows, nothing daunted by the numbers of the enemy, kept potting -away at every Zulu that showed his head from behind the rocks, to which -most of them had now retreated. Suddenly the low banks of the ravine, up -which they were now rushing, swarmed on both sides with the enemy, and -it was evident that the driving of cattle into this position was one of -the usual Zulu artifices by which they were so often successful. The -Zulus kept up a feeble and ill-directed fire from the crevices of rock -where they had taken cover, and all this time the troopers were employed -in heading and turning back the cattle, a task which would have been far -beyond their best energies had not an episode occurred which materially -changed the aspect of affairs. Alone, in the midst of a score of -enemies, the sergeant fought steadily on, loading, firing, advancing, -and driving back the cattle as if he bore a charmed life. The Zulus -seemed paralyzed, and shunned his vicinity, for when he trotted to where -a shield or assegai was seen, it immediately disappeared. He had, -however, great need of help, for he had come to his last cartridge; but -at that moment he felt a chance of life, as he heard the welcome shout -of an English cheer, and, looking in the direction whence the sound -seemed to come, he saw rapidly descending the steep krantz above the -remaining horsemen of his party, who had chosen another and easier path -up the ravine, which enabled them to take the Zulus in flank. The affair -was now over; and although no prisoners were taken, the blood-stains on -the rocks and boulders around proved that there must have been many -wounded. The cattle were all recovered, and Whalley's convoy reached its -destination without further molestation. - -Great changes for the better had also been made in the distribution of -the First Division. The 88th had been shifted from their former -position on the extreme left front of Fort Tenedos to the commanding -hill in its immediate front. In like manner they had been advanced _en -échelon_ to the extreme left front, and the Buffs had been moved in -laager to the right rear of the 88th; while Lonsdale's Horse held the -hill formerly occupied by the 99th. The Naval Brigade were in camp -behind the fort, with Cook's Horse posted in their immediate vicinity, -and the Mounted Infantry upon a hill immediately below Lonsdale's Horse, -and a portion of the Artillery were on the old ground of the Engineers, -with the Native Contingent in their front. The forts also belonging to -this division on the Tugela, Inyezani, and at Ginghilovo were by this -time completed, and admirably manned. To guard against any surprise -pickets were posted in advance and on the flanks of these works, to -watch every line of approach, and especially those where the country -afforded cover and concealment. Sentries were placed at the salients of -all entrenched works, and double sentries at the entrances, while -whenever a drawbridge had been made it was carefully drawn up at sunset. -Occasional patrols during the day, and frequent patrols during the night -and in thick weather were not relaxed, and the result was that the -Zulus, seeing such activity, scarcely ever molested the working parties. -In the ditches of the four coast-line forts were placed at intervals -quantities of dry straw and brushwood, with oil and tar poured on in -profusion, to fire in case of attack, and trustworthy soldiers were told -off to fire these on the approach of the enemy. Sandbag loopholes were -constructed on the tops of each parapet, while large beams, supported -at intervals by sods of earth, were used for the same purpose. -Fire-shells were placed in readiness to be rolled into the ditch. The -distances from each parapet of all conspicuous objects was carefully -measured and communicated to the garrison, and rods with whitewashed -tops, so as to be visible at night, were erected, to mark the various -ranges. - -Port Durnford also had been reported practicable, and a fort and depôt -was being established there. - -It was now the end of the third week in May, and all was ready for an -advance, with the exception of the dearth of transport beasts and -vehicles. It will be well, therefore, to briefly recapitulate the -military situation. Crealock, now at Fort Chelmsford, was to connect -himself with Port Durnford, and then to move along the coast with 10,000 -men, supported and supplied by the Naval Brigade from Port Durnford. -This was called No. 1, or the First Column. The second division in the -north under Lord Chelmsford, his immediate subordinates being Generals -Wood, Newdigate, and Marshall, was to move from Dundee, their advanced -posts being already Doornkop, Landsman's Drift, Ladismith, Conference -Hill, and Mayegwhana. General Newdigate was now at Dundee, and had with -him the King's Dragoon Guards, under Colonel Alexander; the left wing of -the 17th Lancers, under Major Boulderson; the headquarters 21st -Fusiliers, the 58th Regiment, with N battery, 6th Brigade, Royal -Artillery. At Doornkop, about seven miles from Dundee, were three -companies of the 21st, and four companies of the 80th. Wood occupied the -most advanced point at the front, at a place called Mayegwhana, or the -Wolf's Kraal, and had with him the 13th and 90th Light Infantry, 1000 of -Buller's and Russell's Horse, a strong native contingent, and a battery -of six 7-pounder mountain guns. Again at Conference Hill were a company -of Royal Engineers and the 94th Regiment, under their commanding officer -Colonel Malthus. In addition to Colonel Malthus's regulars there were at -Conference Hill about 150 Basutos, some volunteers, and a few Natal -natives, all under Captain Birkett. Dundee and Conference Hill were the -two most important bases of General Newdigate, and convoys of supplies -were daily arriving at each. At Landsman's Drift there were three strong -forts, with an intervening space for cattle. These had been designed by -General Newdigate himself, and were constructed _en échelon_. They were -occupied by the 21st, 58th, and five companies of the 2nd battalion -Natal Native Contingent. These three entrenched field-works were -admirably constructed, so as to afford each other mutual defence. In -tracing these works great care had been taken that the angles should be -directed upon inaccessible ground, such as a krantz, a marsh, or a pond. -None of the faces were exposed to enfilade, and the longest were so -traced that they looked towards the ground over which an enemy would -most likely advance, and which could be swept by the fire of the -garrisons. These works were all somewhat in the shape of demi-bastions, -and were constructed on a square or polygon, whose exterior sides were -about 150 yards. The parapets were only breast high, but unusually -thick, and, allowing for the penetration of rifle-fire at ten yards -being twenty-one inches, the parapets had been constructed six feet, -having a base 3·1, while the interior slopes are maintained by strong -revêtements. Works of this character have certain advantages, which are, -that they require less length of parapet than a bastioned fort; -although, on the other hand, there are these disadvantages, namely, that -there is on each side one dead re-entering angle, i.e., an angle -perfectly screened from fire, and that the ditches are not so perfectly -defended as they should be. Each of the battalions above named built one -of these demi-bastioned forts, and the tents of the respective corps -were pitched outside two of the faces, with advanced pickets thrown out -well to the front. In the interval between the right rear angle of the -most advanced fort and the left front of the second demi-bastion was the -cattle laager--a most important matter in Cape warfare. This arrangement -enabled the fire from the first fort to rake the ground in its front and -left faces, while the fire from the supporting work could do the same -duty for the rear and right faces. From this description it will be -understood that the works spoken of effectually covered the cattle -laager, as well as afforded perfect cover for their garrisons. These -three entrenched positions at Landsman's Drift were the delight and the -pride of the regiments who built them; for although the Royal Engineers -had been employed in general superintendence, it was well known that the -actual designs were made by General Newdigate, and the labour carried -out by the 21st and 58th. - -The arrangements for the garrisoning of the posts in the rear of the -advance were as follows:--Forts Pearson and Tenedos had each assigned to -them two companies, while a reserve upon which they could draw was -placed at Stanger. Upon the Lower Drift, down as far as Kranz Kop, the -river was to be guarded by 2000 of the border natives, under Captain -Lucas, supported by 130 Natal Volunteers stationed at Thring's Post. -Thirteen hundred men of the Native Contingent garrisoned Fort Cherry, in -rear of the abandoned post which formerly covered the ferry drift, while -the border for seven miles was watched by 2000 natives, under the -superintendence of Mr. Wheelwright, at Hermanberg. Greytown was held by -a garrison of two companies. Three thousand natives lined the Umzinga -border, and Helpmakaar was held by the Natal police and Carabineers. The -defence of the new entrenchment at Rorke's Drift, now called Fort -Melville, was entrusted to three companies of the 2-24th, which regiment -was anything but pleased at the preference which had been given to the -first battalion, newly arrived from England, by allowing it to -participate in the active operations, while the second battalion was -detained in the rear. There were to be four other companies of the -2-24th, and of these one was to hold Landsman's Drift, while two were to -be left at Conference Hill. At Balte Spruit two companies, and at -Burgher's Laager, Utrecht, and Luneberg each one company, formed the -respective garrisons. It will be observed, therefore, that the line of -the Tugela was but thinly defended, but, on the other hand, there was a -strong chain of posts on the advance along the coast. The force at this -period in the Lower Tugela command may be summarized as follows:--The -2-3rd Foot, the 57th, the 3-60th Rifles, the 88th, the 91st, the 99th, -or six battalions of infantry, mustering some 5400 bayonets, with M -battery 6th Brigade, O battery 6th Brigade, 8th battery 7th Brigade, and -the 30th company Royal Engineers. To these may be added the Naval -Contingent, and with the native force the total amounted to quite 10,000 -men. - -But before the general advance was commenced there remained one sad duty -to be performed--the burial of those who were still lying on the fatal -field of Isandhlwana. It will be asked why this had not been done long -since? The answer is simple: want of cavalry, want of transport, and -want of opportunity. Since the day upon which the fatal surprise took -place, there had rarely been an hour to spare from the trying ordeal of -official duty, while the task of providing for the living and feeding -the daily reinforcements had left no time to attend to the dead. The -moment, however, Marshall's troopers were upon the frontier, it was felt -that something could be done, and every measure and precaution were -taken to bring about a satisfactory result. To avoid any chance of a -mishap or failure, Lord Chelmsford personally consulted General Wood -when at Kambula, and subsequently at Utrecht, and it was decided that, -previous to any formidable cavalry patrol being undertaken in force, a -series of short reconnaissances should be carried out by the -indefatigable Buller and his ubiquitous horsemen. The purpose of this -plan was twofold. In the first place, these perpetual scoutings so -harassed the natives, that the majority, and certainly the wealthier -majority, heartily wished the war was over; secondly, it was of great -importance to learn the whereabouts of the two impis which it was well -known had been for months waiting for the return of English troops to -Isandhlwana, and this information was effectually obtained by Buller's -zeal and activity. The first and most important reconnaissance was made -by General Wood in person, who ordered a night-parade of a selected body -of horsemen on the 9th May. The force on this occasion consisted of -sixty Frontier Light Horse, under Captain D'Arcy; thirty Mounted -Infantry, under Captain Brown; and forty Natal Native Infantry, under -Captain Woodgate, 4th Regiment, General Wood's staff officer. Their road -at first was an easy descent into the fertile plain that was spread out -like a map at their feet; it then wound up in a somewhat zigzag manner -by the sides of a steep hill, flanked on the one side by a ravine, and -on the other by a dense bush. Presently a black body was seen by the -advanced scouts, whom Buller always sent out as "feelers," creeping -through the bushes on the left, and in our rear came a second. No shot, -however, was fired, but a Zulu perched high above, and sheltered in the -bush, hails the passing troops in a jeering manner, and asks them to -come and see his kraal. Orders had been given to the soldiers not to -fire unless fired upon, and this act of forbearance seemed to wondrously -puzzle the native followers, who were with difficulty prevented from -"potting" the interlocutor. They had made about ten miles, when the sun -began to shine over the edge of the horizon in all the splendour of an -African morning. The dew had fallen heavily during the night, and -consequently the first rays of the sun produced a mist, which hung like -steam over the valleys. This, however, soon cleared away and left the -atmosphere clear and transparent, so that the far-off ranges seemed -within a short distance of the column, whereas they were distant at -least thirty or forty miles. This clearness of course was now a great -advantage and aid to the English party, as it enabled the scouts to -observe far ahead, and rendered surprise less possible than if the mist -and fog had prevailed. Pushing on now at a canter, they soon came to a -trek, which led them between two tall hills called Nkandi and Mhundla. -Here in the kloof were two deep spruits or streams, which, however, were -avoided by hugging the sides of Mount Mhundla, and it was noticed that -waggons could be dragged without any considerable difficulty along this -path. The sun was now well above the horizon, and General Wood decided -to halt, off-saddle, and let the men have their breakfasts. The place -selected for the "off-saddle" was a slightly wooded ravine, amidst the -rocks of which ran a clear stream over a grassy and pebbly bed, while -behind was a range of rocky hills, the summit of which was crowned by -huge masses of rock, looking from the distance like vast Titanic slabs -placed by giant strength in their present position. Before was an -undulating plain, bounded on the right by a river, and on the far left -by a dense bush. - -After one hour's rest the order was given to mount, and away they went, -men and horses thoroughly refreshed and eager for the road. The bush was -gradually getting thicker, and the road wound by a deep descent into a -thickly-wooded valley. Every one of the party instinctively felt that -Zulus must be near, and bracing up the body and nerves each man prepared -for attack. The leader, too, thought the place suspicious, and made his -dispositions accordingly. Two bodies of horsemen, each a dozen strong, -were sent out to make a wide détour on either flank, while flankers were -also sent out on either side of the column. The mounted men who formed -the advanced guard closed to their centre, while those who had been -extended in skirmishing order in the rear had orders to close up to the -column when the defile was approached, ready to dismount, should it be -found impracticable for horses. It is pretty well known that the most -frequent point of attack in Zulu warfare is the rear of an enemy's -column, particularly when the attack can be made in a defile. The head -of the column is often allowed to pass unmolested by the Zulu general, -who waits patiently until the main body has gone by, and then commences -a furious onslaught upon the rear, which will perhaps be followed up for -miles. So these precautions were not superfluous. Where the column now -was could be seen the traces of burnt kraals and partly destroyed mealie -gardens, showing unmistakably that a skirmish had taken place not long -ago, and Colonel Buller at once recognized the locality as the spot -where, some ten days before, his scouts had had a skirmish with Zulus, -on the occasion when an impi was reported as being in the neighbourhood -of Balte Spruit. The anticipations of attack were soon verified, as a -couple of shots rang out from the right wall of the defile, and this was -at once followed by a tremendous shout coming from the rear. The leading -files of the little party had meanwhile reached the mouth of the gorge -without any casualty, and General Wood and his escort on hearing the -firing at once galloped back to the rear, from whence it came, and saw -in a moment that Zulus were swarming on the sides of the cliff as if to -attack in rear. The bugle at once sounded the halt, and the word was -suddenly given for twenty men to wheel about and charge back in full -force upon the unsuspecting foe, who imagined no doubt that he was going -to be allowed all the fun of peppering the rear without receiving any -punishment in return. With a hearty English shout these fellows, led by -Buller, went straight at the enemy, and bursting over rough ground and -through the high and tall grass drove the flying Zulus in panic before -them. Buller's appearance at this moment combined an element of the -heroic and the terrible with a strong infusion of the ludicrous and -burlesque. Leading his men on at a swinging canter, with his reins in -his teeth, a revolver in one hand and a knobkerrie he had snatched from -a Zulu in the other, his hat blown off in the _mêlée_, and a large -streak of blood across his face, caused by a splinter of rock from -above, this gallant horseman seemed a demon incarnate to the flying -savages, who slunk out of his path as if he had been--as indeed they -believed him--an evil spirit, whose very look was death. The tables were -now completely turned; the whole of the column is safely through the -poort; one or two Zulus are seen limping away, assisted into the bush by -their comrades, while the rest stand not upon the order of their going, -but rush pell-mell to gain the shelter of the neighbouring caves. One -large Zulu is seen to be badly hit, yet he manages to crawl away out of -sight, and doubtless is assisted to escape by his fellows. - -The fun is becoming fast and furious. Buller's men are in their glory. -They have dashed into the kloof, and are driving the Zulus out of it in -parties of six or eight at a time. Everybody who an hour ago was as -silent and sombre as the grave thinks it now necessary to yell with -excitement. The sun is now at the meridian, and the day fearfully hot. -The pursuit has been carried through valley and over ridge; by kloof and -through _bosch_, by _bron_ (spring) and _drift_ (ford), and the whole -column is scattered in every direction. It is, in fact, a regular -scramble, and all ranks and uniforms are mixed up together. But the -chase begins to slacken; the pace is too good to last. The recall -sounds, and the firing dies away to a few desultory shots, while the -troopers canter back, dishevelled and puffing like school-boys after a -hard-won goal at football. As soon as the skirmish was over, and the -column clear of the kloof, the journey was continued, and they soon -reached the southern termination of the high valley two or three miles -farther on, where the mountains and table-land descend to the more level -and open country beyond, and by a slope which was noted as too steep for -waggons. The General was the first to set the example of dismounting and -leading his horse straight down most of the way, while the main body of -the little column diverged to the crest of the hill to the west, where -the trek wound gradually away in a spiral manner to the plain. This path -offered no obstacle whatever to the transit of waggons, and, moreover, -avoided a deep donga which lies right across the straight course. Here -General Wood, having an engagement in camp, left Buller and his men with -his orderly officers and escort, while they continued their -investigations in a direction almost due south, over a series of rolling -plains upon the table-land. The mist now most unfortunately came on -again just as they had prepared their glasses for a good inspection of -Ibabanango and the Alarm hill, but they could distinctly see on the -right the high ground before the Khandi and Iheensi hills, and thence -onwards to the Ingutu mountain, where they were not surprised to see -that a signal-fire of considerable magnitude had been made by the Zulus -as soon as they had fairly been discerned in the open and on lower -ground. About five o'clock they reached the banks of the Unyunyebea -river, one of the tributaries of the Ityotyosi, which in its turn flows -eastward into the White Umvolosi. Here, as the locality seemed -favourable, they off-saddled, and the men cooked their dinners, or -rather evening meal. Captain Woodgate, with a Zulu who had returned -lately from Ulundi, and half-a-dozen mounted natives as escort, rode -away to a kop some three miles on, to reconnoitre. A few Zulus were seen -on the opposite ridge, evidently watching the party's movements; and as -they reached the top of the eminence, a messenger was despatched by them -across the valley at speed to the next mountain, where soon after smoke -was seen, showing evidently that their advent had been signalled to the -next post. The remaining Zulus incontinently disappeared up some rocky -ground to the left, and although one of them was chased by four Natal -natives, he as well as his comrades escaped without injury. Colonel -Buller and Captain Woodgate, not having been able to see anything of the -range of mountains for which they were looking, went back to explore the -river, but they had scarcely disappeared down the slope when the mist -cleared off, and there could be distinctly seen the clearly defined -outlines of a high isolated mountain towards the south-east, and this -Zulu scouts declared to be Ibabanango, the principal object of their -search. A number of deserted kraals belonging to Malafchey and his tribe -were close at hand, and it was found that there was plenty of mealies -and firewood, and a very comfortable meal was obtained for men and -horses. As soon as it was sufficiently dark to hide his movements, -Colonel Buller, who always adopted the plan of never bivouacking where -he had halted during the day, quietly shifted the column across the -stream to a spot where a deep donga, sheltered on all sides but one, -gave protection from any night-surprise. The Natal native cavalry did -not bivouac with the remainder of the patrol, but were allowed to post -themselves and lie down without off-saddling at a point indicated to -their commander, Captain Cochrane, by Colonel Buller. Sentries were -posted, patrols sent out, and the night passed without incident or -alarm. The next morning, soon after daybreak, they were again in motion, -and were far more successful in their observations. Colonel Buller, -assisted by Captain Woodgate, obtained excellent data referring to the -position of the two mountains. From the observations and sketches they -were enabled to make, they came to the conclusion that there would be no -difficulty in the transport of waggons on either side of the road as -far as Ibabanango, or in their getting on to the Rorke's Drift road to -Ulundi. Another, and not the least important, point was noted, namely, -that although the district they surveyed was not nearly so well watered -as the Kambula country, the grass improved and became of a better -quality the more one went into Zululand. It was so thick, and at the -same time so green, that it would be practically impossible to get it to -burn for at least another month, so that up to the end of June oxen -would be tolerably sure of grazing. After carefully reconnoitring for -some distance further, without being at all molested, although a few -Zulu scouts were seen here and there, the column returned to camp, which -they reached about 7.40 p.m., after a most exciting ride of some fifty -miles and two days' experience of Zulu skirmishing. - -Another reconnaissance was organized for the 12th instant. Colonel -Buller's patrol on this occasion was composed exclusively of picked and -seasoned men, and consisted of 60 of the Frontier Light Horse, under -Captain D'Arcy and Lieutenant Blaine; 40 Basutos, under Captain -Cockerell and Lieutenants Henderson and Rane; and 80 of Baker's Horse, -together with a few mounted scouts and orderlies, making altogether a -well-mounted, well-armed, and well-trained band of 200 horsemen. Colonel -Buller's guests, on this occasion, included the Prince Imperial, whom he -was to meet at Conference Hill, Mr. Drummond, several officers from -headquarters, and Lord William Beresford, who had earned the soubriquet -of "The Ubiquitous." Having received full instructions, and been -supplied with the usual three days' rations, with the best wishes for -luck from their comrades, and a cheer from the men and officers, they -filed out of the camp in the highest of spirits and eager for the road. -Their first halt was to be Conference Hill, where the Prince Imperial -was to join them. This post was at that time the most advanced point of -General Newdigate's division, and from Doornkop the distance is about -fifteen miles. From Wood's camp at Wolf's Kraal the distance would be -about seven miles, and this was soon accomplished. They found his -Imperial Highness waiting for them, with Colonel Malthus, commanding the -94th, and some other officers, showing the Prince round the defences. -After duly inspecting all the defences shown to them by Colonel Malthus, -they made the best of their way to a spot selected for their bivouac, -about six miles farther on, and where they remained the night, while -their horses grazed contented in some mealie fields. - -Half an hour before dawn on the following morning Colonel Buller was to -be seen scanning the horizon in all directions, and by sunrise his party -were all in the saddle, and _en route_. They soon reached the ford at -the Blood river, which had gone down considerably since Buller had last -seen it. The country over which they rode was fairly open. They crossed -the ford without difficulty, and gaining the opposite bank, reached a -plain, from which they were, however, divided by a broad and well-worn -watercourse. Here they faced the mountain, a long unbroken range, -varying in height from 1000 to 1500 feet, which ran down the left of the -valley. A portion of the mounted men were now sent away to the right, -with instructions to ride up the kloof, then dismount, scale the rocks, -and await the result of the advance of the main body. Should natives -oppose the latter in force, the flanking party were then to drive them -down the mountain, where it was expected they would fall into the hands -of the Basutos under Henderson and Rane, who were placed in ambush on -the left. After half an hour's careful scouting, not a sign of a Zulu -could be seen, and Colonel Buller then gave the not unwelcome order to -off-saddle at, or rather close to, a kraal which bore unmistakable -evidences of recent native occupation. The troopers had no sooner -off-saddled, however, than the wily savages emerged from the caves and -crevices where they had been hid, and could be distinctly seen making -the best of their way with considerable speed up Sirayo's krantz exactly -opposite to where Buller's men were. They evidently were in some force, -and two or three men on horseback were observed directing their -movements as their reinforcements came rapidly in. The force, however, -they were able to collect was extremely small, and certainly would not -have numbered more than half Colonel Buller's command. The Prince -Imperial was excellently mounted upon a handsome and powerful horse, who -seemed, however a little fidgety under fire. Lieut. Rane was now sent on -with a few Basutos, to see whether any stand would be made by the enemy; -and the Prince Imperial immediately galloped after him, to see what he -could of the fun. When these men arrived at the foot of the mountain, -they found a much easier ascent than they had expected. A footpath, -which, however, was quite practicable for horses, was seen winding in a -devious manner in and out of the tall mimosa-trees which fringed the -belt of the wood, and along this path dashed Rane and his Basutos, -closely followed by the Prince, whose impatience to get to the front was -noticed by all. On reaching the summit, however, not a Zulu or an enemy -of any kind was to be seen. This was soon accounted for by the fact that -half way up the krantz on the right were posted a number of -Zulus--perhaps about 100. While the main body were watching these -people, to see if they would attempt to cut off from the column the -Prince and the Basutos, who were surrounding the plateau above, about -100 savages now suddenly showed themselves, as if to invite combat, on -the opposite side of the ravine. The object of all these man[oe]uvres -was now obvious enough. The Zulus who were running away on the plateau -above were so doing to lure the English force on to follow, when the -party halfway up the krantz would probably be joined by a number of men -from the kraals, and endeavour to block them in from the rear. It was -now noticed that they were about to send messengers away for assistance, -and this they could not do without running the gauntlet of fire of -Buller's column. Crouching down, so as to be concealed as much as -possible from the fire of the English rifles, two of the men belonging -to the Zulu party ran rapidly away from the native column until they -were within fifty yards of Buller's position. As they passed, a man -raised his gun, and made an excellent shot at the leader, who never -moved after he touched the ground, upon which he fell headlong. The -remaining man, seeing the fate of his comrade, ran back to his people -with wonderful activity, sharpened no doubt by the ping and whiz of -half a dozen rifle-bullets sent after him at about 200 yards. Baker's -Horse were now sent on to the table-land above, to look after the Prince -Imperial, Rane, and the Basutos, whom they found in high glee, chasing -some flying Zulus, who seemed too scared to notice that their assailants -only numbered eight men. - -They now surveyed the surrounding country without further molestation. -In front lay a broad valley, in the midst of which ran the Blood river, -now shrunk to a thin silver thread; on the left at some distance off -could be seen the table-shaped mountain of Mhlatze; and on the right was -that spot of fatal memories, Isandhlwana, with its huge crag in the -rear, raising its lion-like crest over the veldt below. After descending -the mountain and burning the kraals on its south-east slopes, Buller and -his party returned to camp without any event happening on their homeward -route. - -It was now determined at headquarters that a reconnaissance in force -should be made under the command of General Marshall, for the double -purpose of still further pursuing the investigations begun and of -burying the dead at Isandhlwana. For this purpose a force of no less -than 2490 men was detailed, and consisted of the 17th Lancers, the -King's Dragoon Guards, four companies of the second battalion 24th, and -a number of native auxiliaries. Major Black's experience and knowledge -of the road were found of great use, and the two cavalry regiments were -capitally handled by Colonels Drury-Lowe and Alexander. Major Bengough -had charge of the native battalion. The Natal mounted police were under -Major Dartnell, and one hundred and fifty Army Service horses were led, -in order to bring back the waggons. The entire force was gathered -together at Rorke's Drift one hour before daylight, and carefully -inspected by the light of the camp lanterns. They marched down to the -river at daylight, and commenced to ford the stream, which was finally -crossed by six o'clock. Colonel Drury-Lowe commanded the First Brigade, -consisting of two squadrons of his own corps and two of the King's, and -made a détour round the head and crest of the Bashee valley behind -Sirayo's celebrated mountain, and, without any mishap or molestation, -effected a junction with the remainder of the column at Isandhlwana. -Colonel Alexander, with a brigade similarly constituted, marched by the -direct waggon road straight upon his objective, while he threw out -strong flanking parties right and left as he advanced. A squadron was -sent at Colonel Black's suggestion to hold the gorge of the Bashee on -the right, and a number of vedettes were occupied in patrolling the left -of the same valley. Bengough's natives, meanwhile, came on at a rapid -pace, and were thrown out into skirmishing order along the slopes of the -Ingutu range, where the English troops once had such a tussle with -Sirayo and his men. In fact, here, it may be said, the first blood in -the campaign was shed, when they destroyed this cruel chief's -stronghold. - -The manner in which Bengough's well-trained men scoured and scouted was -most gratifying to observe. Every nook and corner, every crevice and -cave, were carefully explored, and as the men advanced slowly along the -valley and slopes of the mountain, every kraal was fired that came in -their way. These men gradually worked their way round until they came -along the range to the eastern limit of the valley, where the -hunting-path trends towards the great kraal of Cetywayo. Meanwhile the -cavalry were not idle. Crowds of vedettes swarmed along the sides of the -valley ready to outflank any enemy or take him in reverse should he -appear. While this was undertaken, the main force moved steadily along -the front of the valley, and over the brow of the opposite ridge -Bengough's men swarmed, chanting their war-song in native fashion. Down -the hillside, to hold the head of the valley, came the four companies of -the 24th, marching steadily in column of fours. The sun streamed in -splendour upon the glittering files of cavalry as they wound like a -brilliant chain along the greensward. Nothing could exceed the -picturesque _ensemble_ that greeted the eye on all sides; nothing could -be sadder than the mission upon which they came. - -As soon as the entire force was concentrated on the neck, their solemn -but ghastly duty commenced. Rider and horse, officer and private, boy -and man, their grim and parchment-looking skins half eaten by the -carrion birds and half covering the bleaching bones, gave to the scene a -terrible and weird significance, which can never be forgotten. Many of -the bodies were easily recognized. Captain Shepstone at once pointed out -that of Colonel Durnford, which was interred with deep respect in a -donga near the spot where he fell. Forty-five waggons were brought away -by the horses and mules, and a quantity of stores still intact was -carried in them. The staff of the 24th's colours was also recovered; and -the troops, having fully carried out their sad _devoir_ in the most -effective manner, returned home with the same precaution with which they -had moved on to the field. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - Advance of the 2nd column--Landsman's Drift to Kopje - Allein--Description of camp--Plan of campaign--Discovery of Port - Durnford--It becomes the base of 1st division--Troops composing 1st - column--Crealock's journey to Durnford. - - -The force thus gathered at Landsman's Drift was now quite ready for an -immediate advance. It was therefore determined to push on this column -(2nd) at once. Accordingly, on the 27th May the troops were formed up in -line of contiguous quarter-columns by eight a.m., and after the General -and his staff had ridden down the ranks, making a minute and detailed -inspection, the various columns moved off by fours in succession from -the right precisely at nine a.m. Newdigate's Division, which led the -way, consisted of the 21st Fusiliers, the 94th Foot, the 58th Foot, and -the 2nd battalion 24th Regiment, together with a wing of the King's -Dragoon Guards, a wing of the 17th Lancers, a battalion of Native -Contingent, two batteries of Royal Artillery, and a company of -Engineers. The crossing of the Buffalo at Landsman's Drift was commenced -at half-past nine, and the rear had crossed by two o'clock. The exact -distance to Kopje Allein as the crow flies is said to be ten miles, but -the route taken was somewhat circuitous, so as, for the sake of the -waggons, to avoid many bad places, swamps, morasses, and mud-holes, -which abound in this part of the country. The country between the Blood -river and the Buffalo is tolerably well supplied with water, -comparatively open, but singularly treeless in its character, though -there were patches here and there along the road, and the district -seemed well adapted for cattle posts and grazing purposes. Indeed there -could be seen a number of large deserted kraals and homesteads, which -had once evidently been the depôts of pastoral wealth and prosperity. -These sites of industry had suffered a hard and rough usage in the -terrible necessities of war. These depredations were largely caused by -the foraging parties in search of fuel, the great want in all our camps. -Supplies, indeed, on more than one occasion, were brought even as far as -from the northern slopes of the Durnberg, a distance of twenty miles. -Most of the best information in regard to the topographical features of -this portion of the campaign was furnished by the very excellent reports -drawn up by Colonel Buller, Lord William Beresford, and, above all, the -Prince Imperial, whose pen and pencil gave a vivid and life-like idea of -the physical characteristics of this line of advance. - -On the 16th instant Colonel Buller's second patrol returned at noon to -General Wood's camp at the Wolf's kraal, and had been so successful in -its reconnoitring operations that its officers were able to report that -no large bodies of Zulus were within twenty miles of the Blood river, -or, indeed, anywhere between the White Umvolosi and the Buffalo river. -The same evening on which the patrol started it bivouacked at Kopje -Allein, and, indeed, it was owing to the excellent reports made by -Buller and his staff that the place was chosen as one of the links in -the line of advance. A few Zulus there were, it is true, hovering about -in the distance, and attempts were made by feigned attacks and feigned -retreats to lure the troops into ambush, but Buller was far too old a -soldier to be taken in by such wiles. When the men had got steadily on -the summit of the hill they were exploring, the Zulu skirmishers -disappeared into some of the caves surrounding Sirayo's old kraal, and -nothing but some huts full of mealies could be found. The patrol that -night slept on the slopes of the Ingutu mountains, and the following -morning scouted in a southerly direction in rear of the Ingwe range, as -far as the White Umvolosi, showing in a tolerably plain manner that the -country about there was quite denuded of its population, at least -between the Buffalo river and the White Umvolosi, while to the eastward -and the northward of the latter river there were plenty of Zulus and -cattle, but no large or important bodies were assembled north of the -Isandaka range. - -The Prince Imperial had won all hearts during these three days in the -saddle and night bivouac, and was seen to have considerably improved in -health since his last visit to the camp. - -From the notes and sketches made by the officers above named the -following data may be adduced:--The key of the road from the Utrecht to -the Ulundi country is undoubtedly the Inhlazatye mountain, and, although -this road runs along a narrow ledge with a precipice on the one side and -with huge boulders on the other, interspersed with thorns and bush, yet -still it is actually the most direct line of advance upon Ulundi. This -Inhlazatye mountain covers a vast extent of country, has an immense -quantity of thorn-bush over it, is very broken and steep, but -undoubtedly can be turned by an invading force from the north either to -the east or to the west, probably the latter, where little bush worth -mentioning would have to be passed through. The most commanding and open -positions are upon the highlands to the south of the White Umvolosi and -Umtatoosi rivers, girdling the new capital, Ulundi. These are the -Emtonjaneni hills (which are called Magnibonium on most maps), near the -White Umvolosi, and the Tyoe and Entumeni heights in rear of the -Umtatoosi, all healthy positions, well watered, and with abundant grass -and wood. From the Emtonjaneni hills, explored by Colonel Buller, who -estimates them at 200 feet high, the circle of royal kraals on the -farther side of the White Umvolosi can be seen; three roads lead to the -rear into the colony, the upper, central, and lower. The Ekowe, -Entumeni, and Ungoga ranges, from 1500 to 2000 feet above the sea level, -dominate the valley of the Umtatoosi. Healthy positions suitable for -cavalry encampments may be found on these heights, well wooded and -watered, with excellent grass and roads leading to the rear into the -colony; and here Marshall's cavalry kept open our communications and -effectually severed connexion between the Zulu's right and left impis. -These central and coast lines, which are joined by a cross-road, both -follow the course of the Umtatoosi. - -During the march, and whenever the country would admit of such -formation, the leading corps halted, and the extended line of march was -curtailed by the succeeding regiment forming upon its left; waggons came -up in a sort of deployment into line, and certain simple movements were -practised which would be carried out in case of sudden attack. Lord -Chelmsford invariably made a great point of concentrating his waggons -whenever the slightest opportunity offered. General Newdigate and -General Wood between them had 900 waggons, and it may easily be imagined -what a column 450 of these would make. Allowing 30 yards to each--and -that is not much, there being 16 or 18 oxen to each load--each column of -baggage alone is 15 miles long, but to this distance must be added 5 -yards interval, and this gives 18 miles to defend. Of course, the forage -for the large cavalry force made one of the greatest strains upon the -commissariat, and all had to be sacrificed to this necessity. This -column and Crealock's were in this respect not upon a par, as it had to -provide for not less than 2000 horses, each receiving 12 lb. of corn -daily; which gave a total of 24,000 lb. daily, or 3000 lb. per waggon -load, or 6 waggons daily to supply them. At this rate, therefore, it -required 120 waggons to carry the oats for the cavalry alone. All Lord -Chelmsford's and the staff horses were, however, placed upon half -rations. - -Ibabanango, which Lord Chelmsford had selected as an advanced depôt for -the united forces of his column and that of Wood, is again situated -about midway between this place (Kopje Allein) and the king's kraal at -Ulundi. The troops in this camp consisted of a company of Engineers, the -cavalry brigade, two batteries of Royal Artillery, four line battalions, -and 800 natives. The encampment was rather extensive, but this upon -sanitary grounds and the best medical advice. The battalions were -encamped as at open order, front as in line, with a depth of 116 yards, -which is unusual, for half the above frontage is the usual encampment, -and 30 yards were left between each of the four battalions. Each -regiment of cavalry usually occupies 172 yards of front and 130 yards of -depth, but its camp can be condensed to 120 yards of front by crossing -heel-ropes, and this, for defensive reasons, was the plan adopted by -General Marshall. This could not be done with Cape or Indian remounts, -as entire horses would fight if so close to each other; but English -horses are so accustomed to this proximity that it was found they throve -better when allowed companionship. To each battery of artillery was -allowed a frontage of 133 yards, with a depth of 114 yards, or 70 yards -front at close order, while from centre to centre of the tents 10 paces -were allotted. The kitchens were simple enough, being nothing more than -a trench to catch the wind and hold the usual pattern of Flanders or -Torrens kettle--the former, weighing 8-1/2 lbs., holding twelve quarts, -and cooking for eight men, while the latter weighs 3-1/2 lbs., holds six -quarts, and cooks for five men. Whenever the ground was too wet for a -trench, two parallel sod walls answered the same purpose, and two -trenches, 10 feet long, 9 inches broad, and 12 inches deep were allowed -for a company of 120 men. The medical arrangements were as elaborate as -could be made consistent with the limited means of transport, but what -was deficient in quantity was made up in excellence of detail. Medical -officers and stretcher-bearers usually moved in front of the camp, and -the temporary hospital was always placed in the least exposed position -near at hand, while the field-hospitals were always in rear. One -medical officer was allotted to each battalion of infantry, regiment of -cavalry, or battery of artillery--more could not be spared. One bearer -company and two field-hospitals were allotted to each division. This -bearer company included 206 men, part natives, 101 mules or horses, and -30 waggons. The field-hospitals had each 75 men, 52 mules, and 10 -waggons, while each field-hospital had equipment for 200 sick. -Fortunately the health of the troops was exceptionally good. - -Instead of an advance from Rorke's Drift, it was now determined to take -a line from Kopje Allein to Blood river, across the more northern spurs -of the Ingutu hills, and endeavour to ultimately strike the road laid -down in the maps, between the Alarm and the Isipizi hills. This route -was to be taken by General Wood's flying column in advance, and General -Newdigate's division, of which actually it was intended to form an -integral portion. The former consisted of the 13th and 90th Regiments of -Light Infantry and five companies of the 80th Regiment, all of them in -splendid and hard-working condition, and devoted to their brilliant -leader. Wood's cavalry consisted of 900 mounted men belonging to various -corps, and commanded by the Rupert of South Africa, Redvers Buller, -whose men were ready to follow him anywhere, and die for him to a man, -after his splendid self-devotion at Zlobani and elsewhere. Wood, who -made friends wherever he moved, had some valuable allies in Oham's -people, who, hating the tyranny of Cetywayo, were invaluable as scouts -and spies to the flying columns. The arrangements for the line of -advance were as follows:--Wood's flying column was to keep in advance -of Newdigate's division by about five miles, while in front of the -former a veil of cavalry was to keep in advance about ten miles, -connected by intervening files. Each morning orderlies were to report -whether the front and rear were perfectly clear, nor was an advance to -be made until such was known. In case of any enemy attacking Wood, the -latter was to be at once supported by Marshall, who could circle round -and take the Zulus in the rear, a principle of strategy they strongly -object to. Crealock, with the aid of the naval authorities, was at the -same time to push forward from Fort Chelmsford, and, if the landing at -Port Durnford was reported practicable, force the Umvolosi and operate -in conjunction with the 2nd column from his base at Port Durnford. - -Lord Chelmsford had long seen that the best method to obviate the almost -overwhelming difficulties of transport would be to form some seaport on -the Zulu coast. Delagoa Bay was at first selected; but considerable -difficulty was found in arranging with the Portuguese Government as to -our landing a force in the neighbourhood, and that scheme was -consequently abandoned. It then became evident that if a seaport, or -even ever so small a landing-place could be provided at the mouth of the -Umlalasi, it would be at once the nearest and best base of operations -for any force moving from the Tugela upon Ulundi or Cetywayo's other -stronghold. - -Furthermore, as far back as December, 1877, Sir Theophilus Shepstone -wrote to Sir Bartle Frere, informing his Excellency that two -gentlemen--Mr. E. Rathbone and Mr. H. W. Taylor--wished to call -attention to the fact that, from personal observations they had made, -they were satisfied that a practicable landing-place on the Zulu coast -could be found. These gentlemen, it is true, as Sir Theophilus pointed -out, differed as to the precise spot on the coast, but both agreed that -it was near the Tugela mouth, and but a very few miles intervene between -the one place described and the other. This discovery was made -twenty-seven years ago, in the year 1852, and, so far from being kept a -secret, was published for general information in the _Natal Mercury_. - -H.M. gunboat "Forester" was accordingly despatched to thoroughly explore -this part of the coast; no less than three minute and careful surveys -were made, and finally, on May 26th, she returned with the welcome -intelligence that a fine lagoon existed close to the mouth of the -Umlalasi, with a sheltered outlet, and that, from the soundings taken -for five miles on either side of the river, there was no actual obstacle -to a landing being practicable at all tides and all seasons. - -There was, however, at the mouth of the river, a bar on which the surf -broke heavily; and in bad weather experience proved on more than one -occasion that this formed an impassable barrier even to the most -determined attempts to make a landing. - -This spot was christened Port Durnford, and steps were immediately taken -to form there a fort and depôt of supplies for the 1st column, in -command of which was General Crealock. - -To Commodore Sullivan, Major Barrow, and the captain of H.M.S. -"Forester" principally belong the honours of the discovery; and while -the sailors worked heartily seaward and along the dangerous and -difficult coast, Barrow and his riders found out all the roads which led -to the point selected. It had been arranged that General Crealock, with -the advanced guard of the 1st division should move down the Umlalasi to -a point carefully surveyed by Barrow, and which was subsequently, in -compliment to the gallant young prince, called Fort Napoleon. Thence he -was to proceed to Port Durnford, to meet the "Forester." - -Hitherto the advance had been slow; but when it is remembered that forts -were constructed at every strategic point of defence--at the Amatikula, -the Inyezani (respectively Forts Chelmsford and Crealock), and the whole -of the road between this place and the Tugela had been put into working -order by fatigue parties and Engineers, it is clear there was no real -ground for complaint of the delay. Every stream had been bridged, either -with pontoons, casks, or trestles, and trees had been cut down, rocks -and boulders blown up, as well as gradients eased and facilities for -transport carried out. Forts Pearson, Tenedos, Chelmsford, Crealock, and -Napoleon were garrisoned by the less robust men of the column. Six -companies of the 88th, with the headquarters, held Fort Chelmsford, -while a wing of the 99th performed the same office at Fort Crealock. The -regular communications along this line of advanced forts were placed in -charge of one of the best men out there, namely, Colonel Hugh Rowlands, -41st Regiment, whose eye for country, tact, and temper with the natives -and incessant vigilance eminently qualified him for such a -responsibility. - -At this time the force of the 1st division stood as follows:--General -Crealock, Brigadiers Bray and Rowlands; two batteries of artillery and -one ammunition column; Royal Engineers, 30th company and C troop; -infantry, six battalions, viz.:--the Buffs, 57th, 60th, 88th, 91st, and -99th Regiments, two squadrons of mounted infantry, the Natal Horse, the -native scouts; as pretty and compact a little division as any moderately -ambitious general could wish to command, and it speaks well for the -chief's admirable temper under difficulties that, chafed as he now was, -and tied as it were by the leg, by want of transport, he kept working -incessantly without a murmur at the forts, bridges, fords, roads, and -other requisites. - -In accordance with the above-mentioned arrangement, General Crealock, -Commodore Richards, and Lord Gifford set forth on the 25th June for Port -Durnford, taking with them the advance-guard of the 1st division. - -At first the road was over a level and sandy plain, with numerous small -granite hills in different directions, and although there was not much -vegetation for the first two or three miles of the road, it opened on to -a more picturesque-looking champaign country, where the soil appeared -teeming with fertility, and the air was balmy and pure. The country -here, however, is arid and parched during the dry season, but in the -rains, which last from November till May, it is well watered, and large -crops of maize are grown, which by the end of June are usually ripened -and fit for cutting. Large crops of malama are also grown, and it is -upon the stalks of this that the cattle are mostly fed in the drought, -when they appear in good condition, notwithstanding its seeming want of -nutriment. - -Here a halt was made; vedettes were placed, and a meal was partaken of. -Then, after half an hour's rest, they again pushed on, and soon came to -an undulating and extremely romantic-looking valley, shut in on either -side by some huge granite hills. Ascending the highest of these, they -looked down upon the Indian Ocean, Port Durnford, and the "Forester," -standing off about a mile from the shore, and evidently on the look-out. -From this point to the outlet of the Umlalazi the country was fairly -open, and the landscape fertile and partly cultivated. The only obstacle -to progress was a rocky and rather narrow ridge, through which, however, -ran a fairly open kloof, with a small and tributary stream winding its -way to the Umlalazi. Here was the road, and another two hours saw them -through the kloof without question or attack, and they cantered along -the grassy slopes to the bright and shingly beach, upon which a couple -of boat's crews, despatched when they were first sighted, were occupied -in preparing a very excellent dinner of ship's rations for the tired and -hungry men. - -General Crealock highly approved of the position, and a fort and other -works were at once traced out, thus rendering complete the cordon of -posts that had been drawn all round the south of Zululand, right from -the sea to the left attack (or 2nd column), and through which it was -impossible for Cetywayo to force a way, and which rendered his capture -or submission a mere question of time. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - Death of the Prince Imperial--Lieutenant Carey's - account--Discrepancies in and comments thereon--Feeling in the - camp--Expedition under General Marshall to search for the - body--Description of the spot--Recovery of the body--Court-martial - on Carey. - - -We now come to an event which, though it in no way affected the course -or result of this war, was nevertheless so deplorably sad in itself, as -well as to the British army, and was, furthermore, of such world-wide -interest, altering, as it undoubtedly did, the history of one of the -mightiest nations of Europe, that no apology is required for a detailed -narrative. - -Ever since the arrival of the Prince Imperial in the colony he had -continued to win the friendship and esteem of all ranks, and his -unassuming quietude and modesty, genial humour, and readiness to learn -the most minute details of the profession he had adopted, made him a -universal favourite. It has been previously mentioned that the Prince -had been engaged in several reconnaissances, and only three days before -his death he had been with Lord Chelmsford upon a patrol extending more -than twenty miles into the Zulu country. On May the 28th General Wood -received orders to move parallel to, but slightly in advance, of -General Newdigate's column, from Kopje Allein, in a south-easterly -direction towards the Itelezi hill. After three days had been spent in -carefully exploring the country, General Newdigate moved forward on June -1st with his division, as nearly as possible 10,000 strong, and with a -baggage train of 480 waggons. The country had been carefully scouted by -Buller's Horse for twenty miles round, and no Zulus were reported near. -On the evening of the 1st the column laagered not far from the Itelezi, -and on the following day the General moved south-east along a level -country towards the Inguita range; and the flying column being one march -ahead, a communication was kept up by the vedettes of General Newdigate -and General Wood. On Sunday, the 1st, General Wood with a small escort -reconnoitred in advance of the column, which was about five miles in -advance of General Newdigate's force. Away on the right and left were -Buller's horsemen dotting the ridges of the hills on either side. In -front lay green slopes, which were traversed here and there by -watercourses, and bounded by the most singularly shaped mountains, flat -at the summit and crowned with a sort of rocky dome. A good deal of rain -had fallen in the night, and the morning was as clear and fresh as a May -day in England. The General and his escort had ridden about six miles, -when the path suddenly made a bend to the left, skirting a clump of -trees, which grew near the edge of the stream. Pushing a way through -thick thorny underwood mingled with date-palms and tall reeds, they at -length looked down upon the still deep waters of a narrow river, flowing -across a long red sandbank. A ledge of granite formed a rugged barrier -eight feet or ten feet high across the river, and down the hollows of -this the clear water rushed and gurgled in fantastic rills, cascades, -and rapids, bubbling and eddying among the great masses of rock above, -in many of which great holes were worn by stones which during the floods -had settled in small hollows. Traversing a sandstone hill, with a long -spur stretching away to the eastward, and rising in cliffs of 300 feet -to the south of the river, they came upon a grove of fan-palms and -mimosa, where the banks of the stream were covered with golden-blossomed -acacias. Crossing the river by an easy ford, they had ridden on about -another mile, when they observed some of the vedettes on the high ground -to the left signalling that horsemen were approaching. Soon they came -out upon an immense cultivated flat, terminating to the right in a long, -dark, and winding gorge, black with bush, and arched by huge precipices -of sandstone and granite. Into this they turned, and, following a Kaffir -path marked with tracks made by Buller's men, they came upon a bush of -about six or seven acres, in the centre of which were the remains of a -burnt kraal and marks of recent fighting. On the edge of a small stream -they discovered a path to the extreme right, in fact quite on the -hillside, and here the surface showed numerous boot-marks, where the -scouts had evidently been. They had now reached a plain, from which they -were divided by a broad and well-worn watercourse, and here they were -joined by three or four vedettes, who came to report that they had -noticed some horsemen coming at a rapid canter from the direction of the -Tombalaka and the Iyohgazi rivers, which were about equidistant between -Wood's late camp and that of General Newdigate. They had not long to -wait for the solution of the mystery, for, riding in the direction of -the horsemen, they were met by Colonel Buller and a dozen of his men, -who was equally anxious with General Wood to discover who the fugitives -could be. They all rode on together, and rounding the base of the cliff -came up with Lieutenant Carey and four troopers of Bettington's Horse. -In a few seconds more the terrible secret was revealed, and Lieutenant -Carey, whose horse was almost dead beat, and covered with foam, was -rapidly relating to General Wood the details. "Where is the Prince?" -exclaimed Wood, as he breasted his horse at some fallen trees which -intervened, and dashed forward to meet the fugitives. "Speak, sir; what -has happened?" "The Prince, I fear, is killed, sir," said one of the -men, Carey being at first unable to speak. "Is that the case? Tell me -instantly, sir," answered the General. "I fear 'tis so, General," was -the answer; upon which our chief exclaimed, "And what are you, sir, -doing here?" A veil must be drawn over the rest of the interview, which -was of the most painful character. A short despatch was at once written -while on horseback by the General, and in this a _résumé_ of the fearful -tragedy was told, how English soldiers had had the unutterable shame of -seeing an English officer and four English troopers unwounded and -escaped from a Zulu ambush, in which a gallant young Prince, the guest -of England and the hope of France, had been barbarously slain. This -letter was at once despatched by the General to headquarters, where he -ordered Lieutenant Carey and his party to proceed and make their -report. - -The story elicited from Carey and the four men, in spite of a few -discrepancies, was in the main as follows:-- - -On Sunday, the 1st of June, the Prince learnt that a patrol was to be -sent out in advance of the column, to choose the site for the camp on -the following day, and his Highness at once applied for and obtained -permission to accompany it. At six o'clock on Sunday morning the Prince -Imperial sent for his groom, and consulted him as to what horse he -should ride, and the man strongly advised him not to take the large grey -horse, which was eventually one of the causes of his death. This animal -was not one of those selected for the Prince by Sir John Bissett, who -had assisted him in the choice of others. He was a big, awkward-looking, -but very powerful animal, but an inveterate buck-jumper, and, moreover, -excessively timid under fire, a fault which in a charger is dangerous to -the last degree. Two of the Prince's horses had died, either on the -voyage out or soon after landing, and upon the fatal Sunday the grey -horse was the only steed not lame or upon the sick report, so he had to -be taken as a case of "Hobson's choice." At seven o'clock a note arrived -addressed to the Prince, in which he was informed that permission was -accorded him to go with the patrol about to be sent on to choose next -day's camping-ground. This note was from Colonel Harrison, the acting -quarter-master-general, and the Prince at once went over to his tent, -and received final instructions from him verbally; which it must be -assumed, were in accordance with the wishes of the Commander-in-chief, -who expressly stated that the Prince was to be well cared for, to have -no military responsibility, and yet, at the same time, was not to be -interfered with, or in any way prevented from seeing the country. -Lieutenant Carey's account of these matters is somewhat at variance with -this statement of Colonel Harrison, as he (Carey) says that he was told -that the Prince was to have the entire charge of the escort and the -entire duty of selecting the camp. Lieutenant Carey says in his written -statement, that it was by his express desire that he was named to -accompany the escort, and he made this request in consequence of his -knowledge of the country and, in some degree, of the language. Six men -of Captain Bettington's Horse and the same number of Shepstone's Basutos -were ordered to parade at half-past eight a.m. as escort, but for some -hitherto unexplained reason the latter never appeared, and when Carey -suggested they should wait for them the Prince, with that utter contempt -for danger for which he was always remarkable, exclaimed, "Oh, no; we -are quite strong enough!" At nine a.m. all was ready, a frugal breakfast -of black coffee and biscuit had been partaken of, saddles, carbines, -swords, revolvers, and accoutrements had been carefully inspected, and -the word was given to "mount" and "away!" Before leaving the camp, -however, a message was sent to Captain Shepstone to say that the escort -would halt and wait for the six Basutos on the ridge between the Incenzi -and Itelezi hills. A messenger was again sent to hurry on these natives, -but it seems they never came, and therefore the patrol consisted only of -the Prince, Lieutenant Carey, six mounted men of Bettington's Horse, -and one friendly Zulu. This was certainly not a fit escort for such a -charge, and it seems impossible not to attach a grave responsibility to -the staff officer who made the detail. All the six Europeans were well -armed and well mounted, their weapons consisting of the Martini-Henry -slung across the back, ammunition in bandoleer, and a stout serviceable -knife, which could be used for meals or on emergency as a weapon at -close quarters. The Prince and Lieutenant Carey had not rifles, but -swords and revolvers, and unfortunately the latter were not worn upon -the person as they invariably should be, but in the holsters. The Prince -had been on several visits to General Wood's camp, and was an -enthusiastic admirer of both Wood and Buller, with the latter of whom he -had become very intimate ever since the last two patrols he had made -with him. With Lieutenant Carey his Imperial Highness had also an -intimacy of some standing, and as Carey's skill as a draughtsman was -well known in the camp, he had been selected on several occasions to -assist his Highness in surveying operations. - -The day had broken on this fated Sunday with all the glory of a real -South African morning. It had been raining during the night, but this -only served to give a more delightful perfume to the odorous plants that -were crushed by the hoofs of the horses belonging to the escort. The -rain of the previous day and night had refreshed the ground, and filled -the various pools with water, and the plains were cheerful with the -animals and birds coming out of the bush to feed. The patrol met with no -adventure for some time, but continued its course along a valley running -north-east, and narrowing gradually. The track in some places crossed -bad spruits, and was undefined, and in parts obliterated by thorn-trees -and bush. It was also commanded here and there by projecting spurs and -bluffs, where an enemy could have easily hidden in force, and have -attacked them at an advantage, but on either side could be seen the -friendly Basutos scouting in the distance. The watershed of the mountain -was reached about an hour after the patrol started, and on arriving at -the ridge the Prince and Lieutenant Carey dismounted, as they wished to -fix the position of some important hills with their compasses. Here -Colonel Harrison overtook them, and remarked that the whole of the -escort was not with them, adding that the patrol had better wait for the -Basutos to come up. The Prince said, "Oh, we are quite strong enough. -Besides, we have all our friends around us, and with my glass I can see -General Marshall's cavalry coming up." Lieutenant Carey, as soon as he -had finished his sketch, proposed to off-saddle and breakfast; but he -states that the Prince overruled this suggestion and expressed a wish to -push on to the river. The patrol accordingly proceeded on for about four -miles, where for some distance the way was along the bottom of a deep -sandy nullah with very precipitous sides, which they were forced to take -as the only practicable place. This at length debouched into an open -space, from which there appeared to be an entrance to a disused kraal -some two miles up the ravine. Here the escort found that there was good -drinking-water in some pools under a large kopje in front, situated in a -complete amphitheatre of hills, and upon this kopje were some of our -Basuto skirmishers. After watering the horses, the party advanced for a -mile and a half along a commanding and rocky range of hills a short -distance beyond the Ilyotosi river. Here Carey again proposed to -off-saddle, but the Prince did not approve of the spot, and after some -more sketching and surveying the country with telescopes and compass, -the valley was descended as far as an isolated kraal, and the order was -given to off-saddle. The Prince, who did not appear very strong, now -complained of being tired, and while coffee was being prepared lay down -beside the door of a hut. - -The place where this halt was made would appear, from the statements of -Lieutenant Carey and the surviving men of the escort, to be about as -ill-chosen and suspicious a locality as could be found. The kraal where -they now were consisted of about half a dozen huts, and was situated -about three hundred yards from the river Moazani (so called by the Zulu -who accompanied the party). Between the kraal and the river stretched a -tall and luxuriant growth of that most dangerous cover, five, six, and -seven feet in height, Tambookie grass interspersed here and there, as is -customary, with equally tall mealies and Kaffir corn. The plains beneath -this spot afforded every temptation to the artistic eye of the Prince, -and here again another sketch of the panorama was quickly made. The -bright glowing tints of the foreground, whose colours were lit up by -green and fresh grass and wide-spreading acacia and flowering shrubs, -well mellowed away in the middle distance, while far away towards the -horizon were to be seen the shadowy outlines of the blue Itelezi hills. -The kraal was not completely surrounded, for in front there was an open -space where broken cooking utensils and burnt-out embers, bones, and -other _débris_, showed that the place had not long ago been occupied. -Some hungry-looking dogs came out and snarled at the intruders. Here the -fatal order was given to off-saddle, and, in defiance of the most common -and ordinary precautions, which the merest tyro should have taken, the -horses were knee-haltered and turned out to graze, while coffee was -prepared, and not the slightest search made in the cover around. - -The friendly Zulu was sent down to the river for water, and also to see -that the horses did not stray too far. All this time a party of Zulus, -supposed to have been about thirty or forty, were concealed and watching -the doomed party, who, utterly unsuspicious of an ambush, were seated -around, chatting and sipping their coffee. A deep donga lay right across -the path subsequently taken by the fugitives, and this served to screen -the enemy as he stealthily crawled to his prey. Stealing noiselessly -along, hidden by the rank vegetation, and unheard by the unwatchful -escort, the savages came nearer and nearer to their quarry, but while -creeping along were descried by the watchful eyes of the Kaffir, who, -not losing a second, darted back to the Prince, and gave the warning of -danger. A little delay now occurs, for his Highness fails to understand -the native, who has to appeal to Corporal Grubb, one of the escort, to -interpret. The corporal explains to the Prince, who looks at his watch, -and (we are told) seeing it was ten minutes to four, says, "You can give -your horses ten minutes more." But this must have been countermanded, -for the horses were at once collected, and in a few moments were -prepared to start. The Prince is carefully and calmly examining his bit -and bridle, and, it is surmised, had not sufficiently tightened his -girths. His grey horse is a fidgety, troublesome animal to mount, and -now appears to be nervous and anxious to break away. Meanwhile all the -escort stand to their horses and await the word, which the Prince now -gives, "Prepare to mount." But this was the death-signal, for hardly had -the order escaped the lips that gave it, and that spoke no other word on -earth, than the fearful traditional "Usulu! Usulu!" awoke the echoes of -the valley, and a tremendous volley was poured in from the favouring -cover of the grass and mealies. All the horses swerved instinctively -with terror, and some broke away. Private Rogers was shot before he -could mount, and the Prince's tall grey, half mad with fright, became -impossible to mount. Where is the English iron nerve that is proof -against the panic of a moment? Where are the guardians of England's -princely guest? All have lost their courage and their sense of manhood. -_Sauve qui peut!_ is the craven spirit of those who had they rallied -back to back could have probably saved a noble life and preserved a -nation's honour. Not a carbine was loaded, not a sentry placed. -Surprise, the most unsoldierlike crime, was allowed, and white with fear -each trooper galloped away to save himself, nor drew bridle-rein till -miles of country placed safety in his path. Meanwhile, the gallant and -unfortunate Prince is losing every chance of escape which the slightest -attempt at succour would have given. One friendly hand to steady the -scared and ill-broken steed; one carbine, even unloaded, presented at -the bush--for the savages had not dared to come forth--or one gallant -heart like Buller, Leet, or Wood to have shown the chivalry of France -that England's sons were worthy of their ancient fame, and the Prince -would have been alive to-day. There is, it is true, the testimony of one -man, borne away by his frightened and possibly wounded horse, who says -that not being more than half in the saddle, and having no control over -his mount, he could not stay to aid the Prince. "Dépêchez-vous, -monsieur!" he cried, as he swept by at a racing gallop, and that was all -the warning he could give. And then--oh, shame and humiliation!--this -young lad, schooled to arms with English soldiers' sons, wearing an -English uniform, and escorted by British soldiers to a bloody grave, was -left alone to be speared to death, without a sword being drawn or a shot -fired, even from a distance, in his defence. - -The Zulus, seeing only one man unable to mount, burst at length from -their treacherous cover, and with fiendish yells rush upon the Prince, -who, holding the stirrup-leather with one hand and the holster-flap with -the other, must have made one final and desperate attempt to spring into -the saddle. But all is in vain, the untrustworthy leather gives way in -his hand; his feet slip from under him; he falls beneath the horse, -which treads upon his body and gallops away! The last that was seen of -the Empress's beloved son was, that he was alone and on foot, with some -dozen Zulus poising their assegais within a few feet from him, and his -body was afterwards found pierced in front with some eighteen or twenty -thrusts, and stripped of all but his mother's amulet. - -It cannot have escaped the reader that there are some discrepancies and -anachronisms in the accounts given by Lieutenant Carey and the survivors -of that fatal and ill-omened day, the 1st of June. These contradictions -were not unnoticed by General Wood when he took down the report and -forwarded it to the headquarter camp. In the first place we are told -that the Prince was too rash and venturesome, and that he nearly lost -his life on the day when, accompanied by Major Bettington, some of his -men, and a party of Basutos, he visited a Zulu kraal in the -neighbourhood of the camp, and was fired upon by the enemy. Now, on this -as on former occasions, when the Prince went out with Colonel Buller, -Lord Chelmsford, and other officers in charge of patrols or -reconnaissances, he was perfectly well aware that he was merely -incurring the same risk as were other English officers, whose lives to -the British nation, if not to France, were as valuable as his, and whose -temerity--if such it can be called--was absolutely necessary to the -conduct of the campaign. But on the last fatal occasion his Highness was -allowed to go alone, or virtually alone, for Lieutenant Carey does not -seem to have taken his honest and proper share of responsibility, or -looked after the most ordinary precautions which a subaltern of a week's -standing would have carried out in a time of profound peace. We are told -that the Prince gave all orders and words of command during the day, -that he selected, approved of, and disapproved of each halting-place -that was arrived at, and that when Lieutenant Carey wished the escort to -muster and leave the deserted kraal at a certain hour the Prince -demurred, and gave the order to stay much longer. Now this, if -authentic, indicates a lack of military knowledge which it is difficult -to understand as appertaining to an officer of Lieutenant Carey's -standing. The rule of the service is imperative, and no civilian, no -volunteer, and no guest, whatever his rank, may, can, or should at least -be allowed to give a word of command when an official authority is -present. If Lieutenant Carey, out of compliment or out of courtesy, -allowed the Prince Imperial to choose the halting-places and to give the -words of command to the troopers, whom he and not his Highness -commanded, he betrayed an ignorance of the customs, duties, and -etiquette of his profession which renders him totally unfit for the -possession of her Majesty's commission. If he did not allow our deplored -and gallant guest to select these halts, to choose the places for -"off-saddle," and to give the necessary cautions and words of command in -regard to mounting, why, then, he is still more to blame, as knowing, as -he should have known, that he and not the Prince was in command, his -first and transparently obvious duty was to post vedettes and keep a -soldierlike look-out on all sides. Lieutenant Carey was specially -ordered to take half a dozen Basutos with him, in addition to the scanty -escort allotted by the Quarter-Master-General of six of Bettington's -Horse. He says that the escort of Basutos never came, and that the -Prince, when told of their absence, would not wait, but insisted on -pushing forward. The captain of a ship who, at the instance of an -impatient passenger, puts to sea with only half his water and provisions -on board, endangers the lives of those under his command, and for ever -forfeits his claim to future confidence in his conduct and prudence. We -are told that as the first division and the flying column of General -Wood were on converging lines, and were rapidly approaching, and that as -the ground over which this fatal reconnaissance was made had been -previously explored by the Prince, Lieutenant Carey was justified in -arriving at the illogical conclusion that it must be safe from an enemy. -A more preposterous assertion was never before made to hoodwink and -blind justice. Why, not a day passed during this unhappy war when the -troops, in all their camps, were not dogged and followed by parties more -or less numerous, whose duties were to lie in wait for and cut off any -imprudent scouts or stragglers from the camp. The officer in command of -the escort should have been aware of this, and should have known that -the fact of a particular neighbourhood or kraal having been searched a -week previously and found deserted afforded no presumption that the -locality would not be full of Kaffirs some days further on. - -After the word "Mount" was given by the Prince, a fact which is to most -minds somewhat doubtful, we are told that the volley of musketry was -fired, and that some of the horses broke away, while that of the Prince -became so frightened that he could not be mounted. "One by one the party -galloped past the Prince, who was in vain endeavouring to mount." Where -was the friend and associate of England's guest? Where was the officer -who had specially applied for this sacred and most honourable duty? -Where, we want to know, was the English officer in command of the -"escort"? His place was with his men, not leading them away with their -backs to the paltry handful of Zulus, which, it is now known, were in -the mealies, but holding the ground, and covering the body of his -charge. The captain of a sinking or waterlogged vessel is not the first -man in the boats, leaving passengers and crew to sink without him. His -place is upon his deck, trumpet in hand, and even if death-doomed, -sinking like an Englishman under the shadow of the British flag. Such, -comparatively, was the place and the _devoir_ of the officer in command -of the Prince's escort, and had he devoted one brief half-moment to see -and aid our guest to his saddle he would, even if killed or wounded in -the act, have earned a name in every English and French household more -cherished and lustrous than the star of valour which our Queen gives to -her bravest men. - -We now come to the statements of the survivors, and here we are at a -considerable loss to reconcile the accounts. It is distinctly mentioned -by one witness that the abandoned Prince was seen vainly endeavouring to -spring into the saddle by the aid of the holster and the cantle. The -story must be received with considerable reservation, if not utter -mistrust. The Prince, it is well-known, was a most accomplished -horseman, and especially distinguished by his proficiency in all the -arts and minutiæ of the _manége_, and he therefore would be most -unlikely to attempt to mount in the way described. Almost the first -lesson given in the riding-school to a recruit is the one which teaches -the method of mounting the horse. The merest novice in military -equitation must be aware that the first motion with the left hand is to -grasp a lock of the mane, before placing the right hand upon the cantle -of the saddle, or horse's back if not saddled. The Prince was too -well-drilled a cavalier to think of mounting by grasping either the -saddle-flap, holster, or stirrup-leather, either of which would tend to -turn a loosely-girthed saddle round under the horse. If the witnesses -had sufficient time to minutely describe the details of the Prince's -desperate struggle, they undoubtedly had equal time and opportunity to -have drawn rein and assisted him to mount. From all that can be gleaned -of a reliable nature, it would appear that the one exception of devotion -and courage displayed in this otherwise disgraceful affair was exhibited -by the friendly Zulu who was with the party. He it was who first -discovered the proximity of the enemy, and who, not being mounted, might -have had some excuse for trying to save his life by timely flight. But -he stayed loyally and gallantly with his white comrades, and came back -with quiet and deliberate consideration to give warning of the concealed -Zulus. Even then it would appear that he did not attempt to fly, but -fought with his breast to the foe until overcome by numbers. This poor -fellow's body was afterwards discovered not far from that of the Prince, -riddled with wounds, and in a pool of his own and the enemy's blood, -together with a number of his own assegais broken, but reeking with the -gore of his assailants. Doubtless, the first and real great error was -committed by the Prince and his party advancing without the Basutos -detailed to accompany them. Had these native scouts, whose powers of -observation and eyesight so far exceed those of any white man, that no -reconnaissance was considered complete without them, paraded as they had -been ordered to, it is beyond question that they would have detected -the vicinity of the concealed Zulus, and a fearful tragedy would have -been averted. - -The sad news thrilled the whole camp. In every tent, and amongst each -group of old and young soldiers around the bivouac fires, the tidings -were discussed during the whole of the evening, and late into the night. -General Newdigate was applied to by General Marshall for permission to -take out a cavalry patrol, during the night, to recover the body of the -ill-fated Prince, but the former thought it would be more prudent to -wait for the daylight. At four a.m., however, two squadrons were paraded -in front of the camp, and, under General Marshall's command, proceeded -in the direction of the plateau three miles above the junction of the -Tombolaka and Ityolyozi rivers--about equidistant between the cavalry -camp at the Incetu Neck and that of Wood at the Munhla hill, and some -twelve miles from either. About eight miles from Incetu the horsemen -came to a bend of the river, and after crossing the spruit, which in the -rainy season helps to fill the Ityolyozi, they came to the base of one -of those flat-topped hills which are so common in this country. With -some considerable difficulty they ascended to the summit of this kop, -from which was obtained a splendid view of the river below as it wound -along the valley, and at the further end fell over a ledge of rock by a -directly perpendicular descent of 150 feet high and fifty feet wide. -Here the water whirled down into the abyss beneath, and seemed to be -carried off in a serpentine form through a deep channel between great -red scarped rocks. In the ascent to the kop several small but -well-built Zulu kraals were passed, and it was noticed that the huts -were very neatly built. The wickerwork was made of wattles, light and -straight, and bent over at regular distances. The kraals were well -plastered and very neatly thatched, while the doors were made rather -small, with the flooring hard and smooth. At the upper end there was a -raised ledge running right across the hut, which served as a cupboard -where all utensils are placed. Firewood was neatly packed inside between -two grass copes which were fastened against the wall. The furniture was -scanty and all of native manufacture, and some large clay pots to hold -native beer were in several of the huts. Looking down over the ground -dividing the lower ground from the higher range, a fine view broke upon -the eye in the foreground. Mount Munhla stood well out of the range upon -the plain like some huge bastion, while behind it endless grassy slopes -filled up the foreground of the picture. The hill ascended was one of -the spots selected by the Prince for his sketches, and here it was that -the party had made their first halt. Here they could be in no danger of -surprise, and well would it have been if the party had chosen an equally -safe position to off-saddle on Sunday. There is no doubt that the -Prince's talent with the pencil and the pen, combined with his -remarkable proficiency in military surveying, while making his services -so valuable to the army, contributed in no inconsiderable manner to the -risks which on several occasions he ran. From this spot, the Prince, -when he had finished his sketches, pointed out to Lieutenant Carey the -kraal at which he had been fired at on a previous occasion. From here -might be seen the Umbazini, about two miles farther on, and the kraal, -consisting of five huts, where the Prince was killed. Vedettes were now -ordered to push along the ridges to right and left, and to signal as -they advanced, while the main body of horsemen, in sections of fours, -were led by the General down the north-eastern side of the krantz. It -was an interesting sight to see the long blue and white line of horsemen -winding like a huge serpent round the sides of the mountain; the -steel-topped bamboo lances and fluttering pennons glistening bravely in -the morning sunlight, while the horses' hoofs, noiseless upon the soft -and elastic veldt, were in harmony with the silence and sad expression -that were maintained in the ranks. From the General and all the officers -to the rear-rank files there was a subdued and solemn determination of -countenance which was far more eloquent in sympathy for their dead -comrade than any words could speak, while might be seen, at the same -time, in every eye and on every lip, a stern resolve of retribution -should opportunity occur. The cry of "English cowards!" so often hurled -at our men at Ekowe, at Zlobani, at Kambula, Ginghilovo, and, above all, -on the fatal Sunday, was rankling in the hearts of our men, as they -longed to find themselves in the presence of a Zulu force. As they rode -cautiously yet speedily down the slopes of the mountain and came nearer -and nearer to the place of blood, low whispers and murmurs in subdued -accents were heard in the ranks, bronzed and bearded faces seemed to -grow more ironlike and hard, weapons were grasped with a tighter clutch, -and every eye scanned and searched the horizon for a hidden enemy. No -trumpet was sounded, but lance signals were employed to tell the -vedettes to close in upon the column as it advanced nearer to the kraal. -Now could be seen the long and luxuriant patches of Tambookie grass and -mealies intermixed which gave shelter to the foe, and whose proximity -was so strangely and unaccountably ignored by the escort of the Prince. - -In front, with General Marshall and two other officers of the 17th -Lancers, rode Captain Wyatt-Edgell, their eyes fixed on the donga, where -the massacre--for it is difficult to give it another name--took place. -Would the lifeless remains of one whose bright spirit was part of a -widowed and stricken life, whose pure and Christian nature ennobled the -profession of strife to which his heart was devoted, be left intact by -the savages or mutilated by the instincts of their brutal superstition? -Would the young, calm, and somewhat sad eyes so well remembered by each -be torn or defaced by the vulture, or his still more repugnant rival the -common aasvogel (gyps fulvus), and would that lithe and graceful form -which used to lounge at evening into the homely bell-tent and -interchange camp gossip and pleasant badinage with glad and devoted -comrades--would all these be gone to human sight and ken? Were they to -have the mournful and defeated joy of bearing those poor shorn relics -back even one stage on the way to a broken-hearted mother's hearth; or -had the wild dog and the eagle feasted upon all that once was the pride -and the hope of Imperial Gaul? As they neared the horrible pit, for it -was nothing more, where the boy so well loved by all had given his -spirit to Him who gave it, they were startled and horror-stricken at the -sight of some bearded vultures, hawks, falcons, and secretary-birds, -which mounted on the wing from the long, dank grasses as the advance was -made; and they shuddered at the thought of the ghoul-like banquet of -which they might have partaken. But a deep and impassable kloof had to -be crossed, and although time was of the greatest importance at that -moment, General Marshall was too good a _sabreur_ to hazard the lives of -the living without precaution, in order to recover the relics of the -dead. Consequently, as it was quite possible that the foes might have -discovered how valued was the life which had been so carelessly -squandered, and that a large force might be hidden in other and -neighbouring ambush, the usual simple but most effectual precautions -were taken while the advance was continued. Vedettes were again thrown -out, lance in sling and carbine on thigh. Oh! what a moment of pride for -Drury-Lowe, for Boulderson, for Edgell, for Cooke, or for "Dick" Boyle -(had he been there to see). Every trooper's eye gleamed with excitement, -every thigh pressed the horse's flank, and every heart throbbed with -unspeakable rapture at the thought that a chance might be gained to dash -as an _enfant perdu_ at the Golgotha where the dead friends should be, -even though the living enemies were waiting to wrap and twine them in -their grim embrace. Twelve men were selected to ride to the right, left, -and front, and report. They had orders to dash at once into the bush -should a Zulu appear. To run away in the open before these people is not -only madness, but almost certain death to those whose misfortune it is -to be left behind; but the merest tyro in North American, South African, -or, indeed, any bush warfare, must know that once in the bush the -assailed well armed is more than a match for the antagonist ill armed. -But a ravine yet intervened between them and the scene of slaughter, and -they were compelled to make a somewhat wide détour, during the passage -of which, however, each eye and ear was on the _qui-vive_ to the -slightest rustle of branch or bough. - -A group of officers were riding in front; but one topic could be -discussed--a sad and yet a cherished and welcome theme. There is that -peculiar temperament and idiosyncrasy about the soldier, a mixture of -sentiment, poetry, and practical common sense, which makes up a -philosophy all its own, and a measure of life and death, which no man -who holds not his life in the hollow of his palm can pretend to -comprehend. "_Dépêchez-vous, s'il vous plait, monsieur_," rang in every -ear, and seemed to be echoed through the eldritch and ghostlike -solitudes of the greystones and caverns above. The ravens, disturbed at -their approach, screamed as they passed on, while the monkeys, nestling -among the luxuriant clusters of imporotla or peopisi,--fruit whose pods, -three feet long, full of large broad beans, hanging from the branches -like cucumbers or sausages, gave a singular, a cultivated, and almost -civilized aspect to the scene,--seemed as wishing to point out the spot -where the gallant young Prince was slain. - -Some Zulus, about one hundred in number, were now seen hiding in bushes -and caves; but they were quickly dislodged by a party of dismounted -Lancers under Adjutant Frith, a smart officer and worthy follower in the -old traditions of his corps. The line then brought its shoulders sharply -round to the left, and covered the five huts forming the kraal, while -the officers in front galloped through the tambookie grass and maize, -and posted vedettes at each angle of the plantation. Taking open order, -General Marshall now advanced and surrounded the donga, and, dismounting -himself, with three other officers, descended the slopes of the worn and -steep shelter that held what once was a bright and gallant spirit. - -A small bank of sand, over which the sparse and struggling wild flowers -were striving to blossom and flourish, gave a pillow to the young -Prince, whose body divested of all clothing, and stripped bare save for -a charm or locket round his neck, lay extended, not in writhed -contortion, but graceful as in slumber. The face was composed and almost -smiling, and looked up to the sky towards which the pure and unselfish -spirit had soared. No trace of a violent and bloody death could be seen -on the fair and unwrinkled brow, where the lines of thought, care, and -sorrow, were as yet unploughed. The eyes were open, and seemed to gaze -up with human sympathy, though one was injured by a cruel wound which -gashed the lid and eyebrow. The body was not mutilated, and save for the -eighteen assegai wounds in the chest and front, no desecration of the -clay had been committed. The left arm lay across the chest as if -striving to shield the heart from some cruel thrust, while the right -grasped in deathly rigour a tuft of human hair, which showed in -conclusive evidence that the boy must have had time to close in the last -death-struggle with one at least of his assailants. Beyond this fact, -the ground near where the body lay was trampled and tossed, while here -and there, in the direction towards which the Zulus fled, dark -congealed clots of blood were still to be seen. Hence the conclusion -that the generous and high-souled boy, whom all loved so well, had -preserved, if not his revolver (which probably was left in his holster), -at least his sword, and that, accomplished swordsman as he was, even in -his mortal agony he had been able to sell his life dearly, and strike as -he fell. Hard-hearted and hard-headed troopers, impervious to danger and -to hardships, bowed their heads in sorrow and shame to their horses' -manes, while the fierce light of battle which is to be seen when the -trumpet sounds the "charge" gleamed through the mist of tears, as these -honest fellows looked upon the remains of him whose gashed body seemed -to appeal to them. But the sad duty was but half achieved, and, under -the kind supervision of General Marshall, a soldier's bier was quickly -improvised of 17th lances, covered with cut rushes and mealies laid -above, while a horseman's cloak lay like a shroud to cover the whole. -Tenderly and reverently as soldiers only can lift was the body lifted to -its carriage, and it was carried in relays by loving and respectful -hands back over the long and difficult road to the camp, where, on the -same day, the whole of the division paraded to do honour to the dead. -When the camp was nearly reached a messenger was sent on, and General -Newdigate and his staff came out to meet the sad _cortège_, and when -inside the lines, a gun-carriage was brought, upon which, decently -wrapped in linen clothes and covered with the Union Jack, the remains -were tenderly laid, while the funeral service was impressively performed -by the Rev. Charles Ballard, the Roman Catholic chaplain, Lord -Chelmsford, who was deeply affected, being the chief mourner. The same -evening the corpse was enclosed in a rough deal coffin and conveyed by a -mule waggon to Maritzburg. It was met bare-headed by the -Lieutenant-Governor, the Colonial Secretary, General Sir John Bissett, -and General Clifford, while minute-guns were fired from the fort, and -all the flags were at half-mast. Here again there was an elaborate and -impressive funeral, the coffin being carried by the representatives of -every branch of the service, and followed out of the town by the whole -of the large garrison, the civic authorities, and the Roman Catholic, -Protestant, and Dissenting clergy. At Durban, where the remains arrived -on the 10th inst., the body was received by the Mayor and Corporation. -The streets leading to the Roman Catholic Church were lined by the -garrison, leaning on their arms, reversed, and a requiem mass was -celebrated the same day. The following morning the coffin was received -on board her Majesty's ship "Boadicea," being escorted to the point of -embarkation by the naval and military authorities, while the sad boom of -the minute-guns accompanied the procession. The "Boadicea" then sailed -for Simon's Bay. Arrived there, the relics were transferred to her -Majesty's ship "Orontes," and so conveyed to England. After -identification and lying in state at the Woolwich Arsenal, the body was -conveyed to the Empress's residence at Chiselhurst; there, with all the -pomp and pageantry of full military honours, it was laid in the tomb in -the same chapel, where rest the remains of his loved father, Napoleon -III., Emperor of France. The utmost sympathy was shown for his bereaved -mother by the whole English nation, from highest to lowest. The Queen in -person attended the funeral at Chiselhurst, and amongst the pall-bearers -were the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Connaught, -the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Leopold. - -A court-martial was held on Lieutenant Carey, on the charge of having -behaved in an unsoldierlike manner in face of the foe; but the sentence -was kept secret, awaiting its confirmation by the Commander-in-chief in -England. Meanwhile Lieutenant Carey was sent home under arrest. On his -arrival there the proceedings of the court-martial were declared null -and void on account of some technical irregularity, and he was ordered -to resume his duties.[1] - -[1] It is untrue that he has since received a high staff appointment. - -It was generally understood that the sentence was dismissal from the -service with ignominy, but that it was not confirmed by the special -desire of the Empress, who made a personal request to the Queen that -nothing should be done in the matter. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - March of the 2nd column--Kopje Allein--Climate of the - locality--Sickness among the troops--Evil effects of Cardwell's - system--Embassy from Zulu chiefs--Cavalry skirmish--Death of - Adjutant Frith--Difficulties of transport--Reinforcement of - Wood--Appointment of Sir Garnet Wolseley--Opinion of the troops - thereon--Alleged inhumanities--The helioscope. - - -Two special orders were issued by Lord Chelmsford's command in regard to -this most melancholy affair. The first, dated Pietermaritzburg, June 5, -was signed by General Clifford:--"The Inspector-General of Lines of -Communication and Base has received from his Excellency the -Lieut.-General Commanding official confirmation of the calamity which -has befallen the forces under his command, by the death, on duty in the -field, of the late gallant young soldier, the Prince Imperial Louis -Napoleon, who, having, in his military training, been lately associated -with the British Army, came out to this country to take part in the Zulu -campaign. The General feels that he is carrying out the wishes of his -Excellency the Lieut.-General Commanding now in Zululand, by thus -recording the feelings of deep sorrow and sympathy, experienced by every -officer and man whose duty keeps him at his post in the colony with the -loss thus sustained." - -The second order was issued by Major Butler to the troops at Durban, -and expressed the feeling and sympathy of all the columns:--"In -following the coffin which holds the body of the late Prince Imperial of -France, and paying to his ashes the final tribute of sorrow and honour, -the troops of the garrison will remember that he was the last inheritor -of a mighty name and great military renown; secondly, that he was the -son of England's firm allies in dangerous days; and, thirdly, that he -was the sole child of a widowed Empress, now left throneless and -childless in exile upon English shores, deepening the profound sorrow -and solemn reverence to those memories. The troops will also remember -that the Prince Imperial of France fell fighting as a British soldier." - -On the 28th of May the second column or division quitted the camp at -Landsman's Drift, and proceeded to Kopje Allein, which is near the Blood -river, being about a mile to the north-east of it, at a point as near as -possible to the junction of that stream with the Buffalo. The position -of the camp there was all that could be desired, and the character of -the country was much more favourable than most of the previously -selected camps, inasmuch as no enemy could approach without being seen -for several miles. At Kopje Allein there was a further concentration, -and several reinforcements were received, the consequence being that the -whole force amounted to 2500 British infantry, 1100 British cavalry, 300 -Artillery, 100 Engineers, 66 Colonial Horse, 1300 Native Infantry, and -in all, with Military Train and Hospital Staff, making 5700 men. It was -found impossible, for sanitary reasons, to form one undivided column, -and much as General Newdigate objected to straggling, the exigencies of -war compelled him to send his forces off in detachments. The King's -Dragoon Guards marched on Monday, the 26th, and these were followed by -Harness's Battery and a large convoy of stores on the following day, -Tuesday, the 27th. On the Wednesday the headquarter staff took the road, -accompanied by the 17th Lancers, Le Grice's Field Battery, the -field-hospital, and the 24th Regiment. They took with them fifteen days' -supplies, and to accomplish this General Newdigate wisely cut everything -down to the lowest possible limit, sixteen men being allotted to each -tent, and one tent only to six officers. Tents were really superfluous; -for the climate is simply magnificent, and no man out on a shooting -expedition would dream of carrying about with him such extra luxury as a -bell-tent. Of course the climate of this portion of Zululand being -semi-tropical, the usual precautions to be used in tropical lands must -be used here. The climate and diseases which prevail along the line, -from the Tugela, by which Crealock was advancing, are thus alluded to by -Dr. Jones, district surgeon, one of the most experienced authorities -upon the subject. He says that at a distance of fifteen miles from the -sea the fever is not more prevalent than in the interior; that the high -ground is comparatively safe in his district, and that the type of fever -is mild, the attack lasting usually from five to twenty days. It begins -about February, and is always at its worst in March, continuing more or -less till the end of May, and appearing to be more or less influenced by -the current of the north-east wind, which would, of course, carry the -miasma of the St. Lucia swamps in this direction. Dr. Dalzell, an -equally good authority as Dr. Jones, says that the high lands here are -remarkably healthy. The same holds good of the tract known as Oham's -country, situated in the valley of the Black Umvolosi river. It is -evident that the fever of this country has been greatly exaggerated, and -that it is merely intensified in localities which are within reach of -the poisonous malaria borne upon the wind. General Newdigate and General -Crealock both gave orders, that when the troops had to bivouac, they -were never on any account to pass the night either on a very low or on a -very wet situation, on account of fever, or on the hill-tops, on account -of thunderstorms. The position of the Zulu kraals should invariably be -noted, and a lesson taken from them in regard to choice of camp; while -the neighbourhood of a river that has been lately flooded should, if -possible, be always avoided. It is possible that a white man settling -here for good would sooner or later be attacked by fever, but white men -do not settle here, while a rapid march through the country appears to -injure no one. Dysentery and rheumatism troubled the troops but little, -and cases of sunstroke were rare. Sickness had prevailed certainly to a -considerable extent in some corps; but it was, as a rule, confined to -the young soldiers, unseasoned and of weak physique, who had been lately -sent out from England. The cause of our failures--and there were several -of a palpable nature--are not to be found in want of generalship, want -of organization, or want of transport. They were due undoubtedly to the -sending out of raw, sickly, unseasoned, and untutored boys, who, being -the sweepings of half the regiments in her Majesty's service, could not -possibly have any feeling of communion, or traditional sympathy, with -the corps into which, before a formidable enemy, they found themselves -pitchforked. Most of the battalions out there had to draw their -reinforcements not from its reserve battalion or depôt at home, as was -the case in former years, but from the army at large, and some -battalions arrived on the shores of Africa so drenched and diluted with -outsiders, that they had the appearance of a mongrel pack, unused to -discipline and useless in the field. That the destruction of the -regimental system by Lord Cardwell has been the original cause of -several of our reverses, surprises, and humiliations, there can be -little hesitation in saying. The men at Isandhlwana were not well -handled, it must be admitted; but it has since leaked out that many of -them would not rally round their officers, but attempted safety in -flight. Dozens of the men, sergeants and other non-commissioned -officers, have since declared they did not even know the names of their -company officers, or those of their right or left-hand man. - -Another instance of the evil effects of Lord Cardwell's system may be -given. The 91st recruits in past days were the envy of all -recruiting-sergeants, and so particular was the colonel, backed up by -the surgeon of the corps, that a young fellow must have had chest, -constitution, and stamina--qualities unfortunately not now insisted -upon--before he could pass the sacred portals of the 91st barrack. Few -regiments, however, have suffered from the present system more than, or -so much as, this corps. On receiving its orders for Zululand, it could -not muster 200 men, so denuded was the regiment of rank and file by the -drafts it had previously given. The consequence was that to make up the -900 men which was supposed to be its fighting strength, volunteers and -drafts had to be obtained from half the regiments at home, and the -facings of the 91st on parade, until the master tailor had put matters a -little straight, represented almost all the colours of the rainbow, -while the men, drawn from all parts, neither knew one another nor the -officers set over them. - -Rumours of negotiations for peace, and the granting of an armistice, -which were being circulated about this time, arose from the following -facts:--In the middle of May Zulu messengers, of some position, but not -of the highest rank, had presented themselves to General Crealock, with -a desire to know what terms would be granted to Cetywayo in case of his -wishing to come to terms of peace. The General, finding they had no -authority or commission from the king, sent them away, but believing -from their statements that they were sincere, and knowing at the same -time that Setewango, one of the king's most influential indunas, and -Samapo and Panato, the indunas who commanded against Pearson at Ekowe, -were in the neighbourhood of Ginghilovo, let Setewango know that he -would not object to see him. Setewango admitted that he had no -commission or authority direct from the king, but added, at the same -time, that many of the chiefs were sick of fighting, as they considered -the English too strong. General Crealock then said he had no power to -treat, but that Lord Chelmsford had, and if Cetywayo were first seen by -Setewango something might be arranged. After this Setewango went to -Ulundi, and after great difficulty he and the indunas persuaded the -king to allow them to visit Lord Chelmsford, at whose camp they arrived -early in June, having first presented themselves to General Wood. Lord -Chelmsford saw these men three times, when they were distinctly told -that before any negotiations could be entered into, as an evidence of -the King's sincerity the whole of the spoil taken at Isandhlwana, -especially the two captured 7-pounders, must be restored. With these -guns were to be sent accredited ambassadors and hostages of the highest -rank. These Zulu messengers seemed much awed and impressed with the -appearance of the camp, and particularly with Marshall's cavalry, and -they left on the 6th instant. They had not long departed when much of -their story was corroborated by Tongabena and Lampunda, two well-known -friendly Zulu spies, who had just arrived from Ulundi, where they -assured us there were few warriors, the men having declined to assemble. -Dabulamanzi, whose death has been so often reported, was still there, -and a large number of women, children, stores, and cattle. Umbelini was -really dead, having been three times severely wounded, and was hit -mortally in the back through the blade-bone as he was escaping on -horseback. - -On June 5th, Marshall had a very exciting little brush with the Zulus -not far from Wood's camp on the Nondonini river. In this affair poor -young Frith, a capital soldier, a good adjutant, and a general -favourite, was unfortunately killed. He was sitting on his horse -receiving an order from Colonel Drury-Lowe, when a Martini-Henry bullet -struck him, probably to the heart, as he never spoke. The patrol was -brought about by information brought into Wood's camp by the ubiquitous -and indefatigable Buller, who had been out on the previous day and -discovered the whereabouts of a large Zulu force. The gallant 17th and -the smart King's Dragoon Guards were delighted to see themselves in -orders on the afternoon of the 4th, that they were to parade at four -a.m. under General Marshall, who was also to take with him Shepstone's -Basutos and Bettington's cavalry. It was not yet sunrise when they -arrived at Wood's camp on the Nondonini, and then found that Buller, -anxious to draw first blood, had already started in the night to scour -the country and report what he could discover of the enemy. After -partaking of some excellent coffee, a little beltong, and some well-made -and well-baked bread done in Wood's field-ovens, they were again in the -saddle, taking a course towards the south-east, till the summit of a -wild ridge overlooking a deep kloof was reached. In the plain below was -a pretty little river, and near its bank a number of Kaffir huts all -blazing, having been fired early by Buller and his men, who could be -seen slowly retiring before a number of Zulus, who were keeping up a hot -fire upon them, as well as from both sides of the valley. The order was -given to advance, and Buller soon came on to meet them, making his -report that he had been attacked by these Zulus as soon as he attempted -to fire the kraal. Frith was the only casualty, and the order was then -given by General Marshall to retire firing by alternate squadrons. As -the Zulus were posted in clefts and caves of the ridges on either side, -it was impossible to get at them, and so the troops were brought -steadily off without further loss. - -Lord Chelmsford had intended having a large depôt formed on a portion of -the Ibabanango range; but owing to one of the principal staff officers -losing not only his own way, but his head, his lordship was compelled to -change the _venue_, and form the principal depôt upon the Upoko river, -not far from the spot where the Prince met his fate. This was called -Fort Newdigate, and was held by four companies of infantry, and a -detachment or two of cavalry to keep up communication with a still more -advanced depôt afterwards formed at Umsenguini, near the source of the -Upoko, where the main road from Utrecht and the Transvaal forms a -junction with that leading through Rorke's Drift and Isandhlwana. - -How arduous were the duties of the cavalry in convoying large trains of -supplies from the bases to the front through the enemy's country may be -surmised, when it is borne in mind that Lord Chelmsford had to feed 7000 -whites, 2000 natives, 350 English draught-horses, 850 saddle-horses, -2000 colonial horses and mules, and 10,634 oxen. From these figures also -may be formed an estimate of the work thrown upon the Commissariat. - -In previous wars out in South Africa blame has been, and not unjustly, -thrown upon the Commissariat for the manner in which stores have been -wasted and frittered away while the troops have been without rations. -But in this war it would be impossible to cite any such instance of want -of management, as the troops were invariably well fed and cared for. -Want of success, therefore, could in no case be attributed to want of -supply. Great praise is due to Commissary-General Strickland for the -excellent manner in which all his plans were laid and executed. Another -instance of good work may be given. On the 4th instant Lord Chelmsford -had occasion to send a sudden order to Commissary-General Brownrigg for -the immediate furnishing and delivery of rations equal to six weeks' -supply for 9000 Europeans, 2500 natives, 1200 English horses, and 3000 -cattle, and all these were sent in by the 10th. - -On June 10th Sir Evelyn Wood's column received a valuable addition to -its force; viz. 450 men of the 80th Regiment, all old and seasoned -campaigners in South Africa, together with four splendid Gatling guns. -On the same day a report was made that Zulus had been seen near the -Inyezani, and on the following morning a patrol was sent out, consisting -of twenty Mounted Infantry, thirty Mounted Basutos, and fifty Light -Horse, under the command of Captain Brown, who had with him Lord William -Beresford, and Captains Cochrane, D'Arcy, and Berry. A reconnaissance -for fully twenty miles from the camp was made, and the patrol returned -about six the same evening, having made several sketches and surveys of -the country, but without seeing any Zulus. - -Meanwhile grumblers and incompetent critics had kept so incessantly -bringing all sorts of reckless charges against Lord Chelmsford, of -incapacity as a soldier, that the home government thought it wise to -give way, and accordingly, to please the _vulgus profanum_, recalled Sir -Garnet Wolseley from Cyprus, and appointed him Governor of South Africa, -High Commissioner in Natal and the Transvaal, and Commander-in-chief of -her Majesty's forces in Africa, thus superseding Lord Chelmsford. This -news reached the troops actively employed against the Zulus about the -middle of June, and was received with considerable dissatisfaction by -both officers and men. It seemed to them unfair that their General -should be superseded just as a final advance was being made, and just as -he was about to reap the fruits of all his anxiety and labour. He had at -that time on the way to Ulundi a perfectly-equipped force of 9364 -Imperial Infantry, 3957 Colonial Infantry, 1190 Imperial Cavalry, 1877 -Colonial Cavalry, 775 Artillery, with a proportionate number of guns -(36), and 385 Royal Engineers. Generals Crealock and Newdigate had -received full instructions with regard to the concentration and movement -of this force, and all the organization had been planned and carried out -under the personal supervision of Lord Chelmsford, who had worked night -and day to get matters to a state of efficiency. It seemed, therefore, -rather hard and disheartening that the new General, who had had none of -the anxiety or the toil, should appear as the _Deus ex machina_ upon the -scene, and reap all the credit and glory of the campaign. - -A great deal of rubbish was talked about the inhumanity of burning down -kraals, and accusations of shooting down women and children were not -unfrequently brought against the troops. Now most people in England do -not know that there are three distinct species of kraals. The king's or -royal kraals, the military kraals--i.e., the respective barracks or -official homes of the different corps--and, finally, the tribal and -domestic kraal, a sort of village of cabins, built together for -convenience and safety. Now, Lord Chelmsford and all his lieutenants -were too good soldiers to allow England's honour to be disgraced by -wanton cruelty or barbarous conduct even in fighting a barbarous enemy. -Military kraals, being the fortified depôts of the king's troops, their -mustering rendezvous and rallying-points, were attacked and destroyed -without compunction, as they represented the arsenals and strongholds of -the enemy. The king's royal kraals, on the other hand, were the places -where Cetywayo got together cattle, mealies, and other commissariat -supplies, wherewith to tempt or reward his warriors. These were -destroyed as a matter of course, as one would capture a convoy or -destroy a hostile magazine. - -It has been stated on apparently good authority that the destruction of -a royal or military kraal was considered by the Zulus as scarcely any -loss, and that the rebuilding of such was a matter of the greatest ease. -This is a totally erroneous view, as all the kraals belonging to -Cetywayo and his great chiefs which had been destroyed were most -formidable as regards defence, and must have taken great time and -trouble to construct. All these kraals of the kings, princes, and -principal chiefs are protected with high wooden stockades, pierced here -and there with low entrances, large enough to admit only one person at a -time. The isigodhlo, or inner enclosure, where the chief huts are -situated, is guarded by zigzags of the same description of stockade work -very strongly put together. There are altogether about forty military -villages or kraals scattered through the country, of from 400 to 3000 -huts each, in which for a portion of the year the troops are quartered, -averaging 2000 men in each. There are, however, other military kraals -not fortified, and used only as barracks. These consist of a dry stake -and wattle fence, generally oval in form and about five feet high. -Inside this fence are the huts of the men in single, double, or treble -rows, according to the size of the kraal, while inside the huts is -another fence similar to the one outside, and the central space is -invariably the cattle-pen. The king's kraal at Ulundi (afterwards -destroyed) was 800 yards in diameter, and had a normal garrison of 5000 -men. The Umhlabatini plains, upon which it was situated, are fifteen by -twenty miles in extent, and completely shut in by hills studded with -thick bush. The White Umvolosi runs through this plain, in which were -also established the other kraals forming the headquarters of regiments. -These, too, were subsequently destroyed. Here in these kraals the -principal regiments were wont to assemble annually at the great national -military festival held in honour of the king, which is now a tradition -of the past. Some years ago, when Cetywayo was full of ambition in -regard to his military power, and anxious in every manner to consolidate -it, he had a new magazine or depôt of arms built at the junction of the -Black and White Umvolosi rivers. This magazine and kraal is called -Amanzekanze, and is surrounded by a dense bush. The Amanzekanze kraal -had, up to this time, held the reputation of being impregnable, and its -approaches, it was said, were so difficult that they could only be -forced at immense loss. The name of the kraal, Amanzekanze, translated -is "Let the enemy come now." - -Coming now to the farming and domestic kraals, it may without fear of -contradiction be asserted, after minute and careful inquiries, that no -single instance can be adduced in which her Majesty's troops ever -attacked or molested such unless first attacked and fired upon. - -A few words must here be said concerning the helioscope, which on more -than one occasion played a prominent part in this war. - -One of the great features of the occupation of Port Durnford was the -establishment of mirror-signals from the "kop" at Port Durnford, and at -the post on the Inyezani down to the mouth of the Umlalasi. The use of -mirrors as a means of communication had been so fully demonstrated in -Afghanistan, that it seemed astonishing that army officers at Natal were -supremely ignorant of, and, indeed, indifferent to, the system. When it -is remembered that by this simple process it was found possible to flash -intelligence and words of sympathy and kindness to the half-famished -garrison at Ekowe, and that by means of this admirable invention, many -important items of intelligence were from time to time instantaneously -and surely communicated from one part of the British force to another, -which through the position of the enemy it was only possible to send by -messengers, who were compelled to take the most circuitous routes, thus -causing great delay and sometimes even failing to reach their -destination at all, the value of this simple yet grand discovery cannot -be too highly considered. - -Its importance in some respects may indeed be declared to be in advance -of the electric telegraph, for that necessitates apparatus of delicate -mechanism and a friendly, or at least non-hostile territory, over which -the messages are sent. A predatory or hostile tribe may at any time -sever the line of telegraphic wire, and cut all communications between -neighbouring columns who are anxious to make their whereabouts and -intentions known; but this cannot be done to the mirror system, where -with no more apparatus than a small hand-glass telegraphy is established -which no mortal agency can interrupt. No invention, no discovery can -surpass in value this mode of silent yet eloquent communication, and -only the interruption of the sun's beams by clouds or fogs can interfere -with the transmission by signals, noiselessly, and in a manner almost -imperceptible to all save the two interlocutors, who may be distant ten, -twenty, thirty, or even forty miles. - -At Gibraltar messages are by this process constantly sent across the -Straits; and in Australia, Mauritius, Singapore, and even Canada, the -invention has obtained for its discoverer the greatest reputation and -_kudos_. - -Some four years ago Lieutenant Parrott, of the Volunteer Engineer Corps -of New South Wales, conducted a series of very successful operations in -mirror telegraphy, using discs, about six inches in diameter, of -polished metal covered with glass. At first the distance separating the -two mirrors was from six to ten miles, but eventually the system was -tested from the Kumagong mountain, about 2000 feet above the sea level, -to the lighthouse at the entrance to Port Jackson, 400 feet above sea -level, a direct distance of nearly forty miles. Now, when we consider -that the only apparatus required is a small hand-mirror, and that no -skill beyond the faculty of reflecting the sun's beam in the required -direction, and of flashing "dots" and "signals" by means of a simple -turn of the wrist, in the same way as the Morse telegraph is presented -by flag-signals, are necessary, we must allow the vast importance of -this discovery to the soldier and the sailor, more especially in savage -or uncivilized warfare. Of course the whole method is dependent on the -presence of sunshine, and, fortunately, Natal is seldom without this -great boon. In South Africa the sun's beams are more constant than in -almost any other clime, and they may be counted and depended upon during -the major portion of the dry season. It is not unworthy of notice that a -system of sun-signalling, not dissimilar to that established between -Port Durnford and General Crealock's column, has been known and -practised for some considerable time among the Nez Percés Indians of -North America. Mr. F. C. Browne, of Sydney, Australia, however, gives a -still more remarkable method of signalling, and states that successful -feats have also been accomplished by moonlight for distances of from -four to six miles. He considers, and doubtless he is correct, that it -would be quite possible to supplement this sun-and-moon telegraphy on -very dark nights by an analogous system of alternately obscuring and -displaying at longer or shorter intervals a powerfully reflected light. - -Lately at Portsmouth some highly successful experiments in -night-signalling have been made by casting the electric and other -powerful lights upon columns of steam; a method evidently suggested by -the helioscope and use of reflecting mirrors. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - Advance of 1st column--Description of route--Forts Crealock and - Chelmsford--Causes of delay--Sickness of troops and its - origin--Capture of cattle--Proposals for peace by Umsintwanga--His - interview with Crealock--Surrender of Umguelumgwizi--Advance of 2nd - division--Details of troops composing it--A fortified kraal--Fort - built by Wood on the Umlatoosi--Patrol by Buller--Burning of five - kraals in the Usipexi district--Amhlabatini--Depôt there - described--Envoys from Cetywayo--Advance to White Umvolosi--Wood's - camp--Lord Chelmsford's ultimatum to Cetywayo. - - -The actual advance of the 1st division may be said to have commenced on -the 17th of June, when the gallant bluejackets and Marines (the Naval -Brigade), one troop of Lonsdale's Horse, and one troop of Royal -Engineers effected an important though short movement from Fort Pearson, -the so-called base, to Fort Chelmsford; while the 57th Foot and Barton's -Contingent pushed on to Fort Crealock. General Crealock, with his -headquarters, arrived at Fort Crealock on the following day, and on the -19th reached Fort Chelmsford. - -The road at starting from Fort Pearson led up a steep ascent and across -a table-land, gradually sloping towards the west, with occasional slight -undulations, until it came to the steep and almost cliff-like descent -into the valley of the Amatikula. Here frequent outcrops of sandstone -and quartz were noticeable to the engineers, whose professional -enthusiasm was excited at seeing before them the materials for building -a permanent fort in the district. Crystalline pebbles were plentiful, -and the soil, which was in some places of a reddish hue, was at other -points a pure white silver sand, both, however, being covered by a -considerable layer of vegetable mould. - -Many beautiful flowers gladdened the eye on the march, amongst which -were tiger lilies, convolvuli, primulas of a rich deep yellow, and -another species having the appearance of a foxglove opened back. In the -valley of the Amatikula were some thorn-bushes of osier-like growth, -which the natives use for fencing their kraals, and these bore large -purple bell-shaped flowers. On the coast grow some of a similar nature, -and a full mile further on were white primulas, large yellow daisies, -and small red and blue flowers not unlike forget-me-nots. After this -came some rough marching, excessively trying to the waggons and oxen, -over very steep hills, through patches of tiger-grass, and across -ravines forty and fifty feet deep, with almost precipitous sides, at -each of which it became necessary to unload the more heavily-laden -waggons and carry the contents up by hand. All the hills were -exceedingly rocky, being composed mostly of granite, but in some -instances of nearly pure quartz, thickly clothed, however, with trees -whenever the inequalities of the ground and surface allowed the soil to -accumulate. The greater number of these trees were acacias in full -bloom, their red, white, and yellow blossoms, and those of other -flowering trees standing out in rich masses of gorgeous and Turneresque -colour. Late in the afternoon the column arrived at the camping-ground -near Fort Crealock, where the works were proceeding rapidly towards -completion, and every preparation was being made to reconnoitre on to -the Umlalasi. The laager was formed above a rocky pass, having at the -bottom pools of water in splendid granite basins. Out of these two small -streams issued, one running west and the other east, and falling -ultimately into the Umlalasi and the Umlatoosi. The next day a patrol -was sent out to explore a deserted kraal five miles distant. Barrow, -with about 100 horsemen, also went out scouting; but after riding a -couple of miles found the hills so closed in on either side and the path -so blocked with bamboo cane grass that his men were compelled to -dismount and lead their horses. The thick growth also shut out most of -the view of the hills, the prospect of which, however, when a peep was -obtainable, was delightful. By the side of the path was a torrent bed -more than twenty feet deep, with nearly perpendicular sides, and over -this slope went one of Barrow's men, horse and rider rolling over each -other until the stream below was reached, luckily without causing any -injury to the trooper--a Dutchman, whom Barrow congratulated by telling -him he suffered no injury as he fell upon his head. A little hair rubbed -off a remarkably sun-browned forehead was all the damage done, while the -horse had only a few scratches. The latter part of the pass, the same -afternoon, when the march was continued to Chelmsford, was very slippery -sandstone and quartz; and at one point, where the waggons had to wind -round in single file, the hills, clothed to their summits with trees, -rose to some 300 feet in height. These heights were scouted as the -troops advanced, but nothing but old women and children were seen. - -The valleys through which the column passed were very fertile, with -pleasing alternations of open wood, jungle, grass, and cultivation. The -torrents, however, from the hills in the rainy season must do great -injury to the crops of mealies, and several spruits and streams were -crossed, flowing knee-deep between thickets of bamboo and tall rushes, -which, when flooded, would have been impassable. - -The second brigade was behind encamped on the Inyezani, and included the -Buffs, Naval Brigade, 88th, and Sandham's battery, and came on to -Chelmsford as the first brigade marched into camp at Napoleon hill. - -The two main causes of the seemingly protracted delay in the advance of -General Crealock's division were want of transport beasts, among which a -severe epidemic had broken out, and the large amount of fort-building -and road-making requisite in and around Port Durnford. Still, the time -taken up in regard to this new base was by no means wasted, as it -sufficed to keep a large and well-armed portion of the Zulu army idle in -this vicinity, and thus gave Lord Chelmsford immense facilities for -pushing on his men to the left front, whilst General Crealock was able -to utilise his force towards the coast while waiting for transport to -move up into the interior. - -The sick-list still continued somewhat heavy, a very large proportion of -officers and men being _hors de combat_. Much of the malaria, the -medical authorities considered, arose from the effluvia caused by the -decomposition of the numerous carcases of oxen and horses which lay all -along the road, and literally tainted and poisoned the air. These -carcases lay where the convoys had to pass, and the consequence was that -whenever a detachment had to come or go to or from the fort, some -portion, often a large percentage, reported themselves ill with fever. -The remedy seemed easy, but was not so. The men were worked so hard at -digging and entrenching, that it was impossible to detail fatigue -parties to bury or remove the carcases, which, therefore, were left to -breed pestilence in the camp. - -On June 22nd General Crealock decided to make another strong -reconnaissance towards the sea on the following day, and orders were -given overnight that the entire cavalry force, consisting of two -squadrons of mounted infantry, the Natal Horse, and the native Basuto -scouts, should parade at daybreak with the whole of the 91st -Highlanders. The General's object was to utilise his stay at Fort -Napoleon by doing as much to open communications with Port Durnford as -possible, and particularly to effect what improvements could be made in -the road between the fort and that place. - -The only result of this expedition was that the troops accidentally came -upon a body of 250 Zulus, driving away a large number of oxen; of which, -after a sharp skirmish, though without the loss of a man, they captured -192 fine head, as well as numerous women and children, who came to the -General imploring protection. This was of course assured to them; and as -they appeared hungry and half starved, biscuits and mealies were served -out to them upon the ground. On the homeward march to Fort Napoleon they -were overtaken by two very good-looking young Zulus, fully armed and -equipped in war panoply. These men stated that they belonged to Cuzame, -a powerful Zulu chief, who was now on his way with his wives and head -men to Fort Napoleon to surrender. On arriving at the fort later on in -the evening, this was found to be the case. After a long interview with -General Crealock, in which Cuzame gave some valuable information in -regard to Cetywayo's army then collecting for the defence of the big -kraals, the chief was ordered by the General to leave his family and -some of his warriors, and return to his kraal for his arms and cattle. -This he expressed himself most willing and anxious to do. - -It was now discovered that it was an error to suppose that the Zulus -were a united nation, all regarding Cetywayo as their supreme autocrat -and head. On the contrary, there were other chieftains with objects and -ambitions of their own. Thus, a chief named Umsintwanga (or the "Old -Fox") came in on the morning of June 26th, with the usual ivory tusk and -proposals for peace. He and his party were seen at daybreak about two or -three miles from the camp trying to ford a small stream, tributary to -the Umlalazi. The vedettes could not quite make out their proceedings, -as, when halfway across the stream, they turned back, ascended a -neighbouring kop, and spent a considerable time in reconnoitring the -position of the fort. This naturally excited the suspicions of the -patrol, to whom the mounted vedettes reported, and a small mounted body -of men was sent to make a circuit and cut them off in case they -attempted to retire. Whether this movement was observed is uncertain, -but eventually, after considerable delay, and after approaching the -camp from several different points, the chief and his attendants, four -in number only, came boldly up to the patrol, and requested to be -brought into camp, to the presence of the great chief. At eight o'clock, -Umsintwanga, who is a rather finely built, elderly man, inclined to be -corpulent, was brought into the presence of General Crealock, who -treated him with the greatest courtesy and respect. The countenance of -the chief showed a curious mixture of dogged determination, savage -cunning, and treachery. His hair was frizzed, and plastered elaborately -with red clay and grease, while he wore a belt with some foxtails round -his waist, and a species of garters of smaller tails tied below the -knee. His mantle seemed to be an old and much-stained horse-blanket, and -above this was a small tippet of leopard-skin, worn something like a -herald's tabard. He carried no weapon save a stout knobkerrie, and his -attendants, who were four splendidly stalwart Zulus, carried the tusk -with the greatest ease and dignity. Care had been taken that the place -of conference should be out of sight of the fort, and for this purpose -the base of a small hollow near the camp had been chosen, where the -rising ground intervened and prevented any observation of what was going -on in the trenches and about the lines. The conference was not of long -duration, for after waiting a reasonable time to allow the chief time to -collect himself, the general at once and shortly asked what was the -meaning and purport of his mission, and why he had come into camp. To -this Umsintwanga, through an interpreter, replied that he was sent by -the king and his indunas to sue for peace, and in proof of their -overtures being sincere he desired to present the immemorial symbol of -peace and friendship, the ivory tusk. He said further, that he was -deputed to ask the stoppage of the 1st Division, the proceedings of -which had much grieved and astonished the king, and he, therefore, was -desired to ask that it should advance no further towards the king's -kraal, while he, the ambassador, might be allowed to go through our -division to Natal. Umsintwanga spoke tolerably well, and seemed not to -have learnt his speech off by heart, as he occasionally hesitated, -stopped, and now and then exchanged words and phrases for others which -he thought more suitable. General Crealock, who listened with the utmost -deference and patience to the somewhat long tirade, then rather abruptly -said, "Am I to understand you distinctly, and without any reservation, -that you, Umsintwanga, induna, come direct and with full authority from -the king?" This query seemed to astonish and somewhat confuse the -ambassador, who, after some little circumlocution, admitted that he had -come, if not quite with the king's authority, at least with his -knowledge and sanction. On being pressed a little more, the old chief -further admitted that it was principally by the desire of the indunas, -more than by that of the king, that he had come, and he still most -positively adhered to the statement that his proposals were official and -in good faith. Umsintwanga was then informed that he had not come to the -proper camp with his proposals, that it was to Lord Chelmsford, and no -other, that he must apply, and that even if he went to Lord Chelmsford -he would not be listened to unless the demands specified in his -lordship's ultimatum were complied with to the letter. The whole of the -interview did not occupy more than a quarter of an hour or twenty -minutes; and when it was over, it would have been quite impossible to -have told, from the imperturbable countenances of the induna and his -suite, whether they were disappointed or not. They seemed to take their -rebuff as if they expected it, and were then conducted by a circuitous -route away from our camp, and left, with the tusk, two miles upon their -road. - -It must here be remarked that Lord Chelmsford had throughout the -campaign shown the greatest suavity and patience to any attempt at -peaceful proposals, but he had by this time seen the necessity of a -certain degree of firmness, and General Crealock, although he doubtless -would have given a similar answer had he not been instructed, had a -complete understanding with the Commander-in-chief that no proposals -were to be listened to unless accompanied with the fulfilment of the -conditions laid down in the chief's message to the last messengers. -Brigadiers Bray and Rowlands, together with the whole of the General's -staff, were present at the interview, and the induna and his attendants, -although unwilling to manifest any surprise, were evidently impressed -with the quietude and promptitude with which every wish and order of the -General were carried out. Again on June 21st, General Crealock, then -engaged in completing the fortifications at Napoleon hill, rode out -across the Umlalazi river with a small staff and escort, to interview a -chief named Umguelumgwizi, who had just made friendly overtures and -expressed a wish to consult the General as to what his future line of -conduct should be. Umguelumgwizi's kraal was some miles off, but the -chief said he would come and meet the General; and not more than two -miles in his direction had been traversed when he was seen coming, -accompanied by several of his sons and head men. The Zulu chief was -known to be rich in cattle, and possessed of considerable local -influence. He was a man apparently about fifty-two or fifty-three years -of age, and, in spite of a somewhat sinister expression, had a tolerably -open and apparently honest manner of speaking. He was not by any means -long in coming to the point, declaring emphatically that he had no -quarrel with the English, or, for the matter of that, he added, with the -Dutch. He had heard of and understood the award given by the English -Commissioners in regard to the Dutch boundary, and he thought "Sompsen" -and "Bartle" had behaved most generously to Cetywayo. He had been -obliged to go out to fight on Cetywayo's side, but neither he nor his -young men wished to go out again. If he refused, he would be accused of -witchcraft, "smelt out" and "eaten out." What was he under these -circumstances to do? General Crealock, who had listened very patiently -to this somewhat long harangue, said he had spoken honestly and well, -that as a soldier he did not wish to advise any man to desert his king -or his chief, but that he could not be doing wrong in refusing to fight -in what he considered an unjust cause. If he chose to come in and -surrender, with his arms, his cattle, his wives, children, and his -tribe, all should be protected, and all should be held for him in trust -till peace was made. The chief, who seemed much pleased with General -Crealock's kind and manly advice, consulted a few moments with those of -his advisers who were with him, and then asked the General to give him -one day for consideration. "Willingly, my friends," said Crealock, "and -I will meet you on this side of the river to-morrow, when you can tell -me your decision." Upon the Monday (June 22nd), therefore, directly -after the General had made his usual tour of inspection among the road -fatigues, he crossed over, this time with a couple of troops of Barrow's -men, and met Umguelumgwizi with an immense following, consisting of his -wives and children. The General, however, explained to the chief that he -could only accept this surrender in part, and that it would not be -complete until all his cattle and all his fighting men came in. This the -chief promised to attend to. - -On the 25th the 1st Brigade, under General Rowlands, crossed and moved -down the river, encamping about six miles from here. The day following -this brigade moved on to Port Durnford, and reinforced the small force -there. On the 27th Clarke's Brigade started from this place, and moved -on to support Rowlands', encamping and laagering up two hills in sight -of the 1st Brigade. From this encampment a splendid view of Fort -Durnford can be obtained. - -The long ranges of mountains, which completely separate the coast-line -from the interior, here stand out in magnificent relief, and although -they are at a distance of fifty to seventy miles, they present a sharply -defined outline in the morning air, their ravines, watercourses, and -terraced heights appearing with almost supernatural distinctness. Here -is a country where the light is rich and brilliant, where the atmosphere -is surpassingly bright and clear, and the scenery bold, spacious, and -grand. The characteristic beauty of light in South Africa is not seen -in its blending with manifold forms of cloud so much as in the full and -even splendour with which it penetrates the air. Distant objects, that -in a less brilliant atmosphere fade away in hazy outline, stand out with -perfect distinctness. Let a spectator place himself at a distance of -twenty or thirty miles from the Drakenberg, or any of the big ranges of -this country, and contrast the effect he will obtain with that he would -experience with Snowdon, Mangerton, or any of our home mountains at a -similar distance. Small boulders, cavernous hollows in the rocks, -patches of bush at the head of the kloofs, at an elevation of 2000 or -3000 feet, are seen with the naked eye without difficulty. A northern -mountain at home, at either of these elevations, will appear in more or -less of hazy outline with all details of face and profile obscured, but -here in the clear atmosphere of Zululand, the very direction of the -watercourses, the curves of the kloofs, and, indeed, every bold wrinkle -on the face of the slopes of the mountains can be most clearly -discerned. - -We must now leave Crealock building his forts and making his roads, -while we turn our attention to the movements of Newdigate and Wood. - -Every facility had been given to Crealock's (1st) Division to make the -first forward movement on the king's kraal. Lord Chelmsford considering -that after the difficulties General Crealock had encountered it would be -only fair to him and to those under his command to give him every chance -of winning first blood in the final attack. However, the coast sickness -proved so fatal to Crealock's transport train that he was utterly unable -to take advantage of Lord Chelmsford's generosity, and it was to the -2nd column that the final honours of Ulundi fell. On Saturday, the 21st -inst., General Newdigate with this column reached the right bank of the -Umlatoosi, while Evelyn Wood, with his strong flying column, had -slightly preceded him, and had encamped a little lower down on the left -bank. Newdigate's brigadiers were Glynn and Collingwood, with Marshall -in command of the cavalry; and his corps were two batteries of artillery -and an ammunition column, the 2nd company of Engineers, the King's -Dragoon Guards and 17th Lancers, the 21st, the 1-24th, 58th, and 94th -Regiments, Shepstone's Horse, No. 3 Troop, and the Mounted Natives. This -force made up 1870 Europeans, 530 Natives, and eight guns. Wood's field -state of this date gave the Gatling Battery, the Engineers, the 13th, -90th, and a wing of the 80th Regiment, with Buller's Cavalry, consisting -of the Mounted Infantry, Frontier Light Horse, Transvaal Rangers, and -Wood's Irregulars, making a force of 2192 Europeans, and 573 Natives, -four guns and two Gatlings. These two columns, therefore, gave Lord -Chelmsford a compact and admirably-welded and homogeneous body of 4062 -Europeans, 1103 Natives, 12 guns, and two Gatlings, and with this force -he justly considered that he held Ulundi in the hollow of his hand. - -On the day following (the 22nd), while Newdigate, whose oxen much -required it, gave the division a holiday in camp, Wood pushed on about -four miles, taking care to note every bush, rock, stream, and salient -point _en route_. The march was through a mixture of jungle, long grass, -and occasional outcrops of granite, mixed with unpleasant-looking -boulders of grey sandstone, but which would have been well appreciated -by an engineer for the construction of a permanent work of defence. Ten -small streams were passed, besides tributaries of the Umvolosi, and many -tracks of buffalo and elephant were seen, while some of Wood's -enthusiastic sportsmen were positive they could at times hear the -well-known trumpet of the latter in the jungle. The road then led along -a narrow valley, flanked by rocky hills on either side. On the banks of -the stream which flowed in this spot some deserted kraals were seen, -with broken utensils, stone fireplaces, and small pits where mealies -were stored and still left. The huts which composed these kraals were -not built in the same way as others they had seen, but seemed -constructed with more skill and an eye to greater comfort. First of all -were stout posts planted in the ground, and the interstices filled up -with clay. The roof, instead of being of the general umbrella shape, was -flat, and with a slight slope to the front; and the rafters were covered -either with sheets of bark or with bushes and grass, over which was -spread a thick coating of earth. Sweet potatoes, cut in slices, pumpkins -and gourds, and other vegetables of a succulent nature, were laid on -some of the roofs to dry for the winter's provision. The interior of -these huts had, instead of one, as is usual in Zululand, two, and -sometimes three divisions. The first contained a small raised space for -a bed-place, covered with hides, and here was the almost universal -African fireplace, consisting of the three cones of clay, which in many -instances are hollow, and form a most ingenious oven. The only cooking -utensils were earthen pots, nearly everything in this part of South -Africa being prepared for eating by boiling. In the next division lambs -and goats were kept, and the innermost one was used as a granary, where -corn is stored in "lindo," band-boxes made of bark, with the lids -carefully luted on with clay. These lindo are sometimes of enormous -size, and are sufficiently large to contain a dozen or more sacks. Light -is admitted only through the one door, which also provides the sole -means for the escape of smoke, and as a consequence the rafters and -walls are black and shiny, and the cobwebs with which they are festooned -are loaded with soot. Among the rafters walking-staves, and knobkerries, -assegais, and other primitive weapons of war, are usually stored, so as -to get them good and due seasoning by the smoke. The largest of the -villages was clean and surprisingly well-built, said to be after a model -one made by the late King Panda. It was surrounded by a stockade, in -addition to the outer walls of houses, and the part where the chief had -evidently lived was divided off from the rest of the village, and was -also the gateway. The gates were heavy slabs of wood, hewn out of the -solid trunk, and those wanting to enter could only go up to the -principal gate one at a time, as a wing of palisading projected on -either side in the form of a long U, with holes to use assegais through, -so that it would be no pleasant attempt to try to force an entrance -against the will of the dwellers therein. There were some other smaller -doorways in the outer walls of the house, forming part of what might be -termed the _enceinte_, which closed in a sort of portcullis fashion. A -number of heavy logs had holes in their upper ends, and the wall plate -was rove through them. When the doorway is open, these logs are triced -up inwards and out of the way, and when closed the outer sides of the -lower ends butt, as it were, against a strong fixed log, and are secured -by a strong movable log inside. - -On the 23rd, Brigadier-General Wood halted, still on the left bank of -the Umlatoosi, for the purpose of building a fort, which was to be held -by two companies of the 58th, two of Harness's field-guns, and some -irregular cavalry. The outlines and profiles were soon traced by -experienced though not professional engineers, and on the evening of the -same day the place was securely defensible. - -The spot chosen by Wood to build the fort is on the Umlatoosi, and in a -position naturally of great strength, for the river there makes a rapid -bend and affords a ready means of both banks being swept and commanded -from the work. A rude and most insecure bridge, formed of a couple of -huge trees, already existed, but this was now under water, while the -strength of the current was so great when the survey was being made that -several of Wood's men were washed off, and only saved themselves by -catching at bushes on the bank. In the centre of the stream there is an -island, and upon this an outwork was constructed. This island is -situated amongst numerous rapids and cascades, breaking out from the -rocky hillside. The difficulties of getting across seemed at first sight -almost insuperable, but after a time it was discovered that there were -places where it was possible to jump from rock to rock, and then to wade -through the rapids themselves on narrow shelves, holding meanwhile "like -grim death" by ropes of creepers, stretched from side to side for that -purpose. It will be, of course, understood that a single false step, or -the snapping of the creeper-rope, at these points would be fatal, for -nothing could save the traveller in that case from being dashed to -pieces amongst the rocks beneath. The stream below this was about fifty -yards wide, very deep, and running like a sluice. Happily a passage was -effected without any casualty. Looking back from the other side a most -striking sight is presented by this mass of water bursting out of the -precipitous hillside, and broken by the rocks and little bushy islands -into foaming cascades. Many small streams are passed, which occasionally -flow for some considerable distance in subterranean channels. They work -in amongst loose stones, covered with soil and vegetation, the -underground portions of their course being sometimes not more than forty -yards of their length, while in other instances they seem to have -disappeared altogether, and no doubt help to supply those mysterious -fresh springs which are known to exist even on the beach at Port -Durnford. - -The eastern portion of the Umlatoosi district, and that leading to the -sea is moderately level, with rocky hills, on the summits of which are -situated the villages of the chiefs; but as the western portion is -reached, the country breaks into mountains of every shape and form, -amongst which the more numerous are needles and cones of granite. In the -foreground the hills are of red sandstone, crowned with groves of -magnificent trees, festooned with jasmine and other sweet-scented -creepers. Many of the rivers appear to have been crossed in former days -by bridges, constructed either by the Zulus or by the missionaries, or -possibly by both. Poles were planted in the bed of the stream, and upon -others lashed at the top smaller poles and branches were laid to form -the footway. When first constructed these were doubtless secured to the -cross-pieces by lashings, but by this time they had rotted away, and -consequently afforded but a very precarious foothold. - -Between the 24th and the 26th both columns--that is to say, the -headquarters and Wood's--advanced but six miles, but Buller was not more -idle than Wood, as, while the latter was building a fort to hold a -couple of hundred men in the heart almost of a formidable enemy's -country, the former had patrolled in almost every direction to the -front, rear, and both flanks. On the 25th Buller and his "merry men" -were in the saddle and away more than nine miles to the front, and by -noon there came an orderly, "bloody with sparring, fiery red with -haste," who brought news that "Redvers," with his usual good fortune, -had pounced upon about seventy or eighty Zulus busily engaged in -grass-burning, to bother the advance in regard to grass for the horses -and oxen. Buller made extremely short work of these fellows, whose -surprise was so complete that the whole lot might have been annihilated -if humanitarian principles had not interposed. As soon as the grass was -effectually saved, Buller proceeded on a few miles, and, although -watched here and there, suffered not the slightest molestation. The same -evening (25th) Buller came back from his own camp to the headquarter -camp with full information in regard to the five kraals that had been -observed on the 24th in the district of Usipexi, which he reported were -guarded by a tolerably formidable Zulu impi. A small and select council -of war was at once held in General Newdigate's tent, under the -presidency of the Commander-in-chief. After a very short conference, in -which Lord Chelmsford, Generals Newdigate and Marshall, and Colonels -Drury-Lowe and Buller were the principal speakers, it was finally -decided that an attack in force should be made upon the five kraals, and -any others that could be discovered at an early hour on the following -day. At daybreak accordingly the force was drawn up in line for Lord -Chelmsford's inspection, which, as was usual with him, was, though -rapid, most carefully minute. On the right were two guns and fifty men -of Le Grice's admirable battery, and next came two of Drury-Lowe's -splendid blue-and-white squadrons. These fellows would have won the -heart of any light cavalry colonel or adjutant, and it seemed almost a -pity that such glittering panoply of crest and spear and plume should -have to abide the thrust of a hidden assegai from behind a rock or bush. -Four hundred and fifty of Buller's best men, though not so smart nor so -well mounted as Drury-Lowe's gallant fellows, were not despised or -looked down upon by those who were present, and the more brilliantly -decked trooper, with his uniform and glittering _apanage_, felt proud to -ride with the men who had fought so well at Zlobani and conquered so -grandly at Kambula. Two companies of natives made up the force, which -perhaps was the largest patrol ever furnished in this war for such a -duty as the burning of kraals. The guns and part of the cavalry were -sent by a circuitous path which led to an eminence near the largest -kraal, and part of Buller's Horse bearing a little to the right, the -main body advanced along the road by which Buller had yesterday -returned. They first came to the large kraals of Udugwoosu and of -Udlumbedlu, which were found deserted, and shelled and burnt without -opposition; and when this was effected, the cavalry and natives -descended into the plains, to Uxixipi, which was also destroyed, after -shelling out about a thousand natives, who were at once pursued by the -Basutos and Frontier Light Horse. Not many Zulus were killed, as some -were old men and boys, and strict orders had been given to spare these. - -On the 27th the flying column, under Wood, advanced nine miles on the -road to Ulundi; while the main division, under Newdigate, with -Brigadiers Glynn and Collingwood, and Marshall in command of the -cavalry, moved on eleven miles, both columns encamping at a place called -Amhlabatini, within a mile of each other. They carried no tents, but -took with them 200 ammunition-waggons, and ten days' full rations, which -on emergency could have been spun out to double that number. Soon after -the halt all the brigadiers were assembled by Lord Chelmsford, who -briefly but succinctly expounded to them his intentions and future -action. His lordship said the time had now arrived for a final blow to -be dealt, and he purposed, having first established a base of operations -by constructing a small depôt laager at Amhlabatini, pushing on at once -to the attack of Ulundi. Buller would clear the front and mask the -columns as they advanced, and would do all he could to provoke and -entice the enemy to attack in the open. The question now was what -details were to be left at the laager as a garrison, and it was decided -that these should be furnished by three companies of the 1-24th -Regiment, and some other contingents, making up 500 men. Soldiers, as a -rule, must accept all commands without question; but although no open -word is spoken, there are times when the bitterness of disappointment -will show itself without speaking. Such was the case when the order-book -proclaimed the duty detailed for the 24th. - -The entrenched laager was most artistically made in an incredibly short -space of time. Within a radius of 500 yards all trees and bush were cut -down and cleared away. In the centre a rectangle of waggons was formed, -with earth thrown up above the axletrees, and at 15 yards' distance from -these a trench and an embankment three feet high were constructed. -Again, about 100 yards beyond this, strong and well made abattis were -placed. These consisted of whole trees and stout branches 12 and 15 feet -long, felled and placed side by side, with their butts inwards and -boughs interlaced, while the twigs and small leaves were stripped off -and the boughs sharply pointed. The butts were strongly picketed down, -and in some cases fastened by logs laid across several butts. These -abattis were fully five feet in height, and as green wood--not easy to -burn--was selected, they made a formidable obstacle. It took 200 men -only eight hours to construct 200 yards of abattis, and this, -considering that many of them had never done such work before, was most -creditable. All the officers were in the highest possible spirits, and -no inconsiderable amount of banter was carried on between the two -columns during the visits paid from one to the other. One of the most -fertile subjects for "chaff" was the increasing weight and sleekness of -Buller's men as compared with the visibly apparent attenuation of their -horses, and the joke was to affect to believe that these "African -Cossacks," as they were called, devoured all the oxen they captured, -while making their horse-rations into oatmeal cakes for themselves! This -story, if _ben trovato_, was singularly devoid of fact, for Buller's -horses presented a most favourable contrast to those of Marshall, as the -former would eat almost anything, and the latter were only just -commencing to put up with mealies. The constant work of the former -animals had naturally kept them devoid of superfluous flesh, but, for -all this, they were as hard as "nails" and good in their wind. - -On the afternoon of the 27th, vedettes signalled the approach of some -natives, accompanied by a large number of cattle. These proved to be -further messengers from Cetywayo, bringing 150 of our oxen captured at -Isandhlwana, together with a pair of elephants' tusks and a letter, -written in English by a captive dealer. The letter was fairly expressed, -and said that the king could not comply with all Lord Chelmsford's -demands, as the arms taken from us at Isandhlwana were not brought to -him, and that it was beyond his power as a king to order or compel any -of his regiments to lay down their arms. The letter also said that -Harness's guns should be sent, and on receipt of the cattle and these -weapons the English must retire from Zulu territory. Whoever had -written the letter must have been a bold and plucky fellow, as he had -added in a corner in pencil a few words of warning, and an intimation -that Cetywayo had with him at Ulundi and the neighbouring kraals a large -and picked impi, amounting to 20,000 men. Even without this message Lord -Chelmsford would have considered these overtures as suspicious; but, as -it was, increased precaution against surprise or treachery was taken. -Lord Chelmsford accordingly declined the tusks, and told the messengers -in the plainest language that, before he thought of retiring, all the -original conditions must be complied with, more especially as regards -the formal laying down of arms by the regiment. The messengers were then -escorted from our column, and later in the day several large bodies of -Zulus, amounting to some thousands, were noticed moving in a lateral -direction from the side of Ulundi, and passing along by the left flank. -The following day was a busy one for all. Lord Chelmsford was so anxious -to complete the main details of the depôt laager that he deferred his -march till sundown. Wood, however, moved on in the morning as far as the -left bank of the White Umvolosi, where he bivouacked and waited for the -main body. After waiting until all the more prominent and essential -matters were completed in regard to the garrison left in the depôt, Lord -Chelmsford ordered the parade for 5.30 in the evening, and they then -marched on to the next bivouac in a compact and well-organized column. -It was still daylight when the White Umvolosi was reached, and they saw -across the river, on the left bank, the flying column and the Lancers -already bivouacked. The scene as on the right bank of the river was -most picturesque. On the left bank of the Umvolosi Wood had admirably -chosen the ground for his bivouac. Here was a firm, wide plateau, -bounded on the east and north by a hilly country, broken up by knolls -and tall cone-like eminences, whose slopes here and there were covered -by patches of dense jungle or bordered by young forests, whose shades -seemed to invite shelter during the fierce heat of the day. Away in the -extreme distance the landscape differed materially in aspect from the -country near. Mountains of loftier altitude, rising peak upon peak, tier -upon tier, and range upon range, met the eye everywhere. Green trees -covered their slopes in apparently endless expanse of vegetation. -Immediately behind the Lancer camp, and sheltering it from the night -breezes that swept across the plain, was a massive buttress of rock -covered with richly and delicately-hued velvety mosses, while down the -hard, steep, rocky beds of granite and sandstone, with here and there -basalt and porphyry, flint and quartz, foamed sparkling little streams, -which always seem so refreshing and so tempting on a South African -march. A deep gaping fissure in a high jutting wall of rock, through -which bubbled the clear water in volumes; a great towering rock with -perpendicular walls, to which clung, in spite of apparent impossibility, -ferns and plants and moss, thick and velvety; and a huge conical hill -which ambitiously hid its head in the clouds; these were wild and rugged -forms of nature to be treasured up long after their marching days were -gone and past. The camp was situated on a wide terrace or shelf of -ground rising above a body of water, which more resembled a long narrow -lake than a river. This part of the White Umvolosi, indeed, like many -other African rivers, loses its current in the dry season, and becomes a -series of long narrow pools, which in some places may be compared to -lakes for their length, according to the nature of the ground in which -depressions are found. If the ground is rocky or of clayey mud the water -is retained, instead of being absorbed, and here swarm multitudes of -silurus, or bearded mud-fish. Wherever mud-fish are abundant, -crocodiles, the great fish-eating reptiles of the African waters, are -sure to be found, and, singularly enough, wherever crocodiles are found -one is almost sure to find the hippopotamus--not because crocodiles and -hippopotami have any affinity for each other, but because the soil which -retains the water during the hot days of the drought season is almost -sure to produce in the vicinity of the pools abundance of rich grass and -tall cane, the favourite food of the hippopotamus. Two miles further in -the plain Wood's bivouac fires were seen in glittering and regular -ranks, marking out the exact ground which each regiment or corps would -occupy in order of parade or march. Far away, but in a line with each -angle of the bivouac, were the outlying pickets; while, again, beyond -these were those vigilant and unsleeping patrols which made this column -so secure and impossible to surprise. - -At daybreak on the 29th the main body crossed the river and joined the -flying column on the left bank. They now were but fifteen miles from -Ulundi, and all the king's kraals were visible to the naked eye. On the -far slope of the hills that bound the plain were the two round kraals, -Likasi and Undabakawazi; next, and built in the shape of a crescent, -were Unodwengo, Panda's old palace, Ulundi, built by the present king, -while farthest of all was another, making five, called Umpanibougwena. - -On the 30th Lord Chelmsford was ten miles from the Umvolosi; and he sent -a despatch to Sir Garnet Wolseley, to say that the king's messengers had -just left with an ultimatum for Cetywayo, to the effect that his -lordship must advance to a position on the left bank of the river on the -1st July, but that if no opposition were offered the troops would wait -there without any hostile movement until twelve at noon on the 3rd, -when, if the original terms sent to Cetywayo, namely, the delivery of -the guns taken at Isandhlwana, and the cattle, were complied with, 1000 -captured rifles would be received instead of a regiment laying down its -arms, and peace negotiations would be entertained. On the following -morning, accordingly, the main body marched at an early hour, and, -preceded by the flying column and Buller's men scouring the country in -front and flank, arrived at the river and took up the position named -above. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - Raid across the Umvolosi by Buller--Gallant rescue of a sergeant by - Lord William Beresford--Buller's losses--Umvolosi crossed by the - main body--Formation of troops into square--Total numbers--Firing of - kraals--Advance of Zulus from Ulundi--The Zulu attack--Repulse of - Zulus--Pursuit by cavalry--Death of Wyatt-Edgell--Losses of both - sides--Withdrawal of English army--Effects of the battle of - Ulundi--Surrender of 700 Zulus to Crealock--Cause of retreat after - Ulundi--Resignation of Lord Chelmsford--His farewell parade--Epitome - of work done by 1st column, and why it was not present at - Ulundi--Ondini burnt by Barrow. - - -On the morning of the 3rd of July, the last day of grace, so far from -any compliance with Lord Chelmsford's demands being made, all sorts of -hostile demonstrations were shown by the Zulus, who were gathered in -large numbers about eight miles off. All day long, on the 1st and 2nd, -there had been a dropping fire at long ranges upon our men; and on the -3rd the enemy, growing bolder, pushed his skirmishers down to some rocks -on the opposite side of the river, and fired upon the men as they were -watering their horses in the stream. One horse was killed and several -men wounded, and then it was that Buller asked and obtained permission -to make a raid into the enemy's country. - -Early in the afternoon Buller was waiting impatiently to cross, -looking, as was said of Picton, "in a heavenly humour, because some one -was likely to be killed." A couple of guns were brought into position on -the banks of the river, to cover Buller's crossing, and, if necessary, -to assist his retreat if hard pressed on his return. A couple or three -rounds of shrapnel made short work of a crowd of Zulus who had -approached on the opposite height in a most impudent manner; and hardly -were the echoes of these heard along the shores before Buller and -Beresford, dashing into the stream with a cheer that made the rocks -resound, were followed over the river by Buller's horsemen, the Mounted -Infantry, and Baker's Horse. A good billiard or racquet player likes a -gallery, and if the very dashing rifleman and _beau sabreur_ were at all -anxious for an audience, they certainly had a large one on this -occasion. In fact the whole camp--if camp you can call a bivouac without -tents--turned out literally in its shirt-sleeves to see the fun. The -fatigue parties stopped their wood-cutting to take a look at the two -camp favourites as they raced like school-boys at a paper hunt after the -Zulus, who were scuttling away like prize pedestrians to gain the -shelter of a friendly kraal. Buller being in command, however, was not -forgetful of his men; and, though galloping at a steeplechase pace, kept -them well in hand, and raced with about a score of his fellows at the -military kraal Dalwayo, on our right front. Beresford, however, being a -sort of chartered libertine, and having no separate command, "went for" -the Zulus entirely, as he subsequently expressed it, "on his own hook." -Meanwhile, by Buller's order, Baker's men, guided by their leader, had -inclined to the left front, to carry and hold a favourable hillock which -commanded the best part of the ford. This piece of thoughtful strategy -proved invaluable at the close of the day, when the horsemen had hard -work to get back. On galloped Buller's men past Nodwengo, Lord William -well to the front, now sabring a Zulu, now stopping to aid a wounded -comrade; while Buller, having picked a hundred of his best-mounted men, -pushed on with the intention of exploring and, if possible, firing -Ulundi. - -There was nothing impossible in this project. Buller had good -information that the bulk of the king's army was away upon Lord -Chelmsford's right flank, and that the kraal would possibly have a -slender guard. It was well, perhaps, that this somewhat hairbrained -exploit should not be carried out, and it was stopped as follows:--The -contour of the ground between this point and the king's kraal was formed -by a succession of undulating (at rather a steep angle) plains, which in -the hollows gave admirable cover and concealment to the Zulus. These -large dongas in two places formed positions where bodies of men could be -massed at right angles, and so take an incautious enemy on the flank. -Here the Zulu general, whoever he was, had admirably disposed his -reserves, and here, but for the steady conduct of all hands, Buller -might have met his fate. As suddenly as the mountain warriors of -Roderick appeared above the heather to James Fitz-James, did the tall -Zulu warriors put in an appearance, and from front and flank a very well -sustained fire was poured in upon the daring Buller and his men. But -Buller, with all the dash of a Rupert or a Murat, had much of the -prescience and caution of a veteran, and invariably adopted the -principle which may be indifferently expressed as "having two strings to -your bow," or "not having all your eggs in one basket." He had, -previously to his daring advance in the enemy's country, ordered -Commandant Raaf to halt near Nodwengo, with his horsemen as reserve and -supports. At the imminent moment, therefore, when the Zulus appeared in -the hollows, these gallant fellows came up and saved the day, and it is -more than probable many valuable lives. As Buller and his splendid -marksmen retired by alternate ranks, and as each man fired, dropping his -man, Raaf and his well-trained fellows covered the slow retreat; Baker's -Horse also held the hillock of which mention has been before made, and -did excellent service by the manner in which the Zulus were held in -check. Tremlett's little battery on the right front of the camp kept -back the enemy on the left line of retreat, so that the raid into the -enemy's country, although not productive of any palpable advantage as -regards booty or prisoners, was eminently well carried out as a -reconnaissance in force. The Zulus were exceedingly well led, and it was -impossible not to admire their admirable skirmishing, and the -magnificent manner in which they charged right down to the river's edge, -amidst a storm of grape and shrapnel hurled against them to cover the -retreat. Buller, of course, was wherever hard knocks were most to be -obtained, while Beresford distinguished himself as much by his capital -horsemanship, daring valour, and perfect coolness, as by the noble -chivalry with which he galloped, under a heavy hostile fire, to bring -off, on his tired and overweighted horse, a wounded sergeant of the -Mounted Infantry. - -It happened thus:--Just after the volley had been poured in by the Zulus -on either flank, Lord William Beresford, who had literally cut his way -through about fifty Zulus who had tried to surround him, turned in the -saddle to see how his men were getting on, and saw upon the ground a -dismounted and wounded trooper about to be assegaied by half-a-dozen -Zulus. Wheeling his horse round like lightning, he swept like a -thunderbolt on the group, knocking three of the savages over with his -horse's shoulder, and placing the other three _hors de combat_ with a -front and back-hander of his long, heavy sabre. In another moment -Beresford had the wounded man safely _en croupe_, and carried off from -what would have been a cruel death. Commandant D'Arcy, with equal -gallantry, was not so fortunate, for seeing a wounded man on the ground -he sought to carry him off, but his horse, being restive, reared and -fell back, so that the unfortunate trooper was overtaken and assegaied, -while D'Arcy was so severely bruised by falling on his revolver, that, -although able to get back safely, he was unable to take part in the next -day's fight. Three men killed, four wounded, and thirteen horses killed, -was the total loss to our men. - -A little before daybreak on the 4th, Wood, with his flying column, -crossed the White Umvolosi, leaving the 1-24th Regiment in laager with -all the heavy baggage and supplies. Lord Chelmsford was so pleased with -Buller's magnificent reconnaissance, that he determined to advance at -once upon Ulundi, giving every temptation to the Zulu army to attack, -upon the plain which had been admirably surveyed two days previously by -Colonel Buller. Nothing could have been better considered, nothing could -have been better planned, and nothing could have been better worked out, -than the details of this splendid action. Every punctilio had been -observed by Lord Chelmsford as regards his answers and promises to -Cetywayo. The General had said he would not cross the river, thereby -placing himself at some considerable disadvantage in a strategic point, -and yet up to noon of the 3rd instant no act of submission was made. On -the 4th, therefore, the main body crossed after Wood's column, and -knowing that the Zulu army were somewhere between the river and Ulundi, -had good reason to hope that they would show fight. Lord Chelmsford -therefore advanced boldly, and without any undue show of caution, across -the plain. They had nothing in the shape of baggage with the exception -of ammunition and water-carts; but each man carried in his haversack -biscuit and preserved meat for four days. - -The crossing of the river was made without any opposition, although the -movements of our troops were carefully watched by a body of Zulus from a -neighbouring hillock on the left, and a more brilliant and picturesque -sight could not be imagined. The banks of the river were covered with -tamarinds and acacia, growing right down to the water's edge; while -creeping plants, such as the convolvulus, the jessamine, and the deadly -nightshade, were festooned from tree to tree. The wild guava, the -pomegranate, and many a sweetly-scented bush, pushed upward their -luxuriant undergrowth, and gave out faint odours as they were crushed by -the horses' hoofs. Bees were humming among the sweetly-scented -dholiocs, and the ripple of the stream as it rushed and bubbled over the -clear pebbles below made a music that seemed out of place with thoughts -of bloodshed and strife. With Buller scouting far in front, Wood's -division led the van, Newdigate next, and Drury-Lowe, with his gallant -Lancers, brought up the rear. The fortified camp on the right bank of -the Umvolosi had been left with a Gatling gun, 900 Europeans, and 250 -natives, under Colonel Bellairs. As soon as favourable ground had been -reached, Wood was signalled to halt and wait for the main body; and the -order was then given to form a large hollow square, with the ammunition, -two Gatlings, and the entrenching tool-carts and bearers in the centre. -Inside this square were also two companies of Engineers and some native -Pioneers attached, under Major Chard and Captain Ainsley, together with -the _impedimenta_, consisting of water-carts, ambulance-waggons, and -stretchers. The square, although large, was not unwieldy, and the steady -marching of the men prevented the slightest noise or confusion. The -flying column under Wood held the post of honour in the front half of -the square. Major Tucker, with the 80th Regiment, and Major Owen and two -Gatlings in the centre, held the front face. On his right flank were two -7-pounders of Major Tremlett's battery, under Lieutenant Davidson, with -seven companies of the 13th Light Infantry, under Major England, -supplemented in continuation of the right face by two more of Tremlett's -guns, in charge of Captain Brown and Lieutenant Slade; then came one -9-pounder of Major Le Grice's battery, under Lieutenant Crookenden; -four fine companies of the 58th making up the remainder of the right -face. The rear face was composed of one gun of Le Grice's battery, two -companies of the 21st Fusiliers, under Major Hazlerigg, and three -companies of the 94th, under Colonel Malthus. On the left or west flank -were the remaining three companies of the 94th, two 7-pounders of Major -Harness's battery, under Lieutenant Parsons; eight companies of the -90th, under Major Rogers; and two guns of Major Le Grice's battery, -attached _pro tem._ to Major Harness, under Lieutenant Elliott. Buller's -Cavalry were away scouring the front and flanks, while Colonel -Drury-Lowe, with two squadrons of the 17th Lancers, and Captain -Shepstone's Basutos, formed the rear guard. The numbers of all ranks -were as follows:--Flying Column, 2192 Europeans and 573 natives; -Newdigate (2nd Division), 1870 Europeans and 530 natives; making a total -of 5165 men. - -Lord Chelmsford and his staff rode in the centre, in rear of the front -face. He, of course, assumed the chief command; and his clear, sharp, -soldierlike voice rang out like a trumpet to the men: "The square will -wheel to the right." This order was taken up by the division as quickly -and calmly as though by a brigade of Foot Guards at Aldershot or the -Curragh. After moving on for a few miles they began to approach the -smaller kraals; and Buller, with his advanced and seemingly ubiquitous -riders, could be seen dashing here and there in every direction to tempt -the Zulu columns, which could now be discerned along the horizon towards -the left front. At the extreme end of the plain the sun glanced down -upon a long line of white shields marching in a sort of double column, -with skirmishers thrown out in European fashion in front and on the -flanks. The square was now halted, while the first kraal was fired. -This, some of Shepstone's Basutos said, was named Umlambo-Bogivimo, and -Buller's men having applied their flints and steel to the task, the -flames and smoke ascended to the sky. Next they came to the great kraal -of King Panda, called Unodwengo; but although this was at first fired, -it was found the smoke acted as such a screen to the Zulus that Lord -Chelmsford ordered its extinction. Strong columns could now be seen -moving out in quick though good order from Ulundi, and as they seemed -bearing down upon the right front, the square took ground to the right -and was halted in a capital position, pointed out to Lord Chelmsford by -Buller. Our troops were now assailed by a dropping but harmless fire -from the Ulundi column on the right front, and from a strong Zulu force -operating in some broken ground from Unodwengo, now on the left. It was -now half-past eight, and by nine o'clock the Zulu attack was fully -developed. Buller's men then made a strong demonstration on the left, -driving the Zulus from the hollow where they were sheltered, back to the -Unodwengo kraal. This movement was well supported by Shepstone and his -Basutos, who skirmished splendidly on the left and rear face of the -kraal. While this, however, was going on, a Zulu on a white horse was -seen leading strong reinforcements from his proper right to assist in -the attack upon the cavalry on the left. The scene was now most -exciting. Buller and his men fought in two ranks, the first mounted and -ready to dash at a moment upon any weak point in the enemy's line; the -second, dismounted, and making capital practice at long ranges, with -their saddles as a rest for the rifle. As soon as the front rank became -too hardly pressed, they cantered to the rear, dismounted, and relieved -the second rank. This is the old Dutch mode of fighting the Zulus, and -it has rarely been found unsuccessful. Colonel Lowe, at this juncture, -asked Lord Chelmsford's permission to send out a squadron of his -Lancers, or even a troop; but the general wisely declined, as the ground -was broken, and the Zulu line too powerful to be charged. Nothing could -be finer than the way in which Buller and Shepstone retired, bringing -the Zulu columns and their horns under the deadly hail of our Gatlings -and Martinis. Now, thought the Zulus, was the time for their grand -attack. Were not the mounted men, under the terrible Buller, flying -before the fierce onslaught of the Zulu braves? Still the line of white -shields came roaring on, like the big white billows that roll on to and -break into foam upon the South Afric shore. The ridges on the front and -left were now swarming with Zulus, fierce, stern, and terrible, as with -fiendish and maniacal shouts they swept over the soft and springy veldt -to be shattered, bloody and broken in their pride, by the leaden tempest -that now whistled from all sides of the square. "Steady, my lads; close -up, fire low, and not so fast!" cried Evelyn Wood, who had his men under -splendid control. "Are the mounted men all in?" said Lord Chelmsford to -General Newdigate. "They are, my lord," replied Buller, who was just -lighting a cigarette. "Then give the enemy a round or two of shrapnel," -said the chief. Shells from the right and left were now poured in; but -still on came the line of white shields. File-firing from the Martinis -was poured in, but the Zulu columns were deployed, and, regardless of -the _mitraille_, still came on in half-open order. But, under cover of -their strong lines of skirmishers, the Zulu attack was now changed and -further developed on the rear face, where Malthus and Hazlerigg held -post. Hazlerigg, whose tall and stalwart form was conspicuous above the -files of his men, made his front rank reserve its fire till the Zulus -had arrived within sixty yards, and then the word was given to fire low -and steady. The kraal of Unodwengo was, it has been said, upon the left, -and it proved rather a thorn in the side. Behind the rising ground from -which the Basutos had been driven now came a stream of thousands of -Zulus sweeping round the left flank from Ulundi. Their wild yells and -unearthly war-cries smote upon the air, and were heard through the ping -and rattle of the rifle-fire. Under cover of the Unodwengo kraal, and -sweeping over the ground beyond, this strong body, led by the chief on -the white horse, formed a hollow square, and after a few moments' pause -to collect themselves, dashed like a whirlwind upon the right rear angle -of the square. Now every one knows that the angle of a square, like the -salient angle of a bastion, is its weakest point, and for a moment it -seemed a question whether the attack would succeed. The angle was held -by two of Hazlerigg's companies, and although Le Grice's solitary gun, -admirably served, poured forth its most deadly shells, and Hazlerigg -kept his men firing in the most steady manner, at one moment it seemed -as though it would come to close quarters fighting. But one terrific -volley from the 21st, the 94th, the 58th, and Royal Engineers, shattered -their order, their square was broken, and after a moment's pause they -sought shelter from so terrific a fire. Meanwhile the front attack had -again developed, and here the gallant 80th were placed at a certain -disadvantage. That awkward dip in their front enabled the Zulus to make -their formation for attack out of sight and out of fire, so that Major -Tucker's men had to reserve their fire until the tops of the enemies' -heads were seen above the mound. But the 80th behaved so coolly and so -steadily that the front attack at length slackened, and the Zulu line -wavered, and finally ceased to fire. - -It was now a quarter to ten, and as signs of wavering were remarked in -every face of the attack, Colonel Drury-Lowe at this juncture had been -allowed to file his men out from an opening in the rear face, and was -just forming them in squadrons, when a spent ball knocked him off his -charger. He was stunned, however, only for a moment, and was again in -the saddle, smiling at his mishap. Now was the moment for which the -gallant Lancers had so long waited. Now every man gripped his weapon -with stiffened sinews and determined heart. "Go at them, colonel, but -don't pursue too far!" shouted Lord Chelmsford, as he raised his helmet -to the men. Moving first at a walk to steady his men, Lowe advanced in -column of troops from the right, and as soon as the ground was -favourable gave the words in succession, "Trot!" "Form squadrons!" "Form -line!" "Gallop!" "Charge!" Away across the broad grassy slopes, and -greeted by a burst of cheering from the square, went the splendid -blue-and-white line, their pennons fluttering in the morning air, and -their bright and deadly steel-topped bamboo lances in rest. On they -went, driving the flying Zulus headlong into a donga, where sweeping -round it the pursuing squadrons forced the enemy out into the open to -fly for safety towards the mountains northward. But flanking the donga, -and hidden by the long grass, half of a Zulu regiment was posted to -cover the retreat, and as the squadrons of Drury-Lowe's men came on a -volley was poured in, which emptied several saddles, and was fatal to -poor young Wyatt-Edgell, who was gallantly leading on his men. His men, -almost maddened as they saw him fall, spurred more furiously on to take -immediate and bloody vengeance. - -A moment more and the bristling line of steel meets the black and -shining wall of human flesh, rent, pierced, and gashed by a weapon as -death-dealing and unsparing as their own assegai. Still, though crushed -and stabbed by the lances, and though their firm array was scattered -like sea-foam, the Zulus fought on in stubborn knots, nor cried for -quarter, stabbing at the horses' bellies as they went down, and trying -to drag the men off their horses in the _mêlée_. The lance was now -relegated in most cases to its sling, and the heavy sabres of the -troopers became red with gore. Never was a cavalry attack better timed -or more effective, and never did that oft-abused arm, the lance, better -vindicate its reputation as a weapon of pursuit. But now a troop of the -King's Dragoon Guards, under Captain Brewster, and some irregular -cavalry, are let loose from different sides of the square, and, with -Lord William Beresford full six horse-lengths in advance, charge full -and fair upon the flying savages, who are cut down in scores until they -gain the crests of the hill; but even there no safety or rest is found, -for shrapnel, fired with time-fuzes, scatters them like chaff in the -wind. - -The attacking force consisted of twelve regiments, and could not have -been less than 23,000; 15,000 surrounding the British square, and 8000 -in reserve. Their loss has been estimated at 1500, but it should -probably be put down as double, for during the whole of the action they -could be seen carrying their dead and wounded away. The total loss to -our troops was not heavy--some dozen killed and about eighty wounded. -Amongst those killed was one officer, of whom might well be said, "We -could have better spared a better man." In the gallant white-and-blue -line of squadrons that swept like a torrent upon the scared and flying -Zulu hordes, there rode no braver, no more knightly spirit than young, -gallant Wyatt-Edgell. The scion of a noble house, and a soldier by -hereditary tradition and birth, he had all the accomplishments and -chivalrous attributes of his race. His loss was a great blow to all, and -his premature though glorious death cast a deep gloom not only over his -own regiment, but over the entire camp in which he had spent so many -cheerful days, esteemed and loved by officers and men alike, from -highest to lowest. - -After the battle of Ulundi and the destruction of the king's five great -kraals, Lord Chelmsford marched his division back to Entonyani, where -they remained some days, having had a storm of rain and thunder lasting -thirty-six hours. As they had no tents the first night, the state of -affairs may more easily be imagined than described. The rain came down -in perfect torrents, sweeping away the bivouac fires and pouring through -the camp like the overflow of a mighty river. The men behaved admirably, -taking all the discomforts of their situation with the good humour and -jocularity of disciplined troops. The horses naturally suffered most, -although every attempt was made to picket them in a sheltered spot. On -arriving at Entonyani they found tents waiting for them, and were thus -enabled to get dry and refit. The nights were exceptionally cold and -with heavy dews, causing some little sickness amongst the men. - -In fully estimating the importance of this battle, we must not forget -the surroundings, nor the associations of the place. The valley of the -Umvolosi is essentially the heart of Zululand. It is the richest and -most fertile portion of the country, and as such was chosen as the royal -abode. The two branches of the river, named after the district, converge -through it towards the main stream which flows on to St. Lucia Bay. The -one by which the king's great kraal but lately stood passes through a -comparatively open country; and its waters, gleaming clear in the -sunlight, are called "White," just as the waters of the other branch, -which run through a more bushy and broken district, are called "Black." -In the basin drained by this extensive water-system the Zulu nation was -originally cradled. Thither Dingaan retired after he had slain his -brother near the Nonoti. There the brave and bustling Dutchman Retief -and his companions were treacherously murdered in 1838; and there, -again, Bongore, led into a trap the unsuspecting Boers, who were again -duped by his representations, they believing that the king was alone at -Mahlabatini. The valley where this last battle was fought is with the -Zulus a sacred and historic spot. It is rife with what is most dear to -the Zulu pride--legends of bloody massacre, treacherous surprise, and -savage revenge. Dingaan fled from thence; Panda died there; Cetywayo was -first recognized and crowned there. Could the tall and wooded grey -cliffs that looked down upon the combat speak, they could tell, in a -direful tale of tyrannous cruelty and wrong, most of the annals of the -Zulu nation. Year by year they witnessed the periodical gathering -together of Cetywayo's legions, and watched the steady outgrowth of the -savage power whose overthrow, by British troops and British discipline, -they beheld but a few months since. But signal and satisfactory as this -victory was, it could not be accepted as final until Cetywayo had -completely submitted, though some of its effects were immediate and -important. - -The day after the battle of Ulundi, and before the victory was known to -the troops of the 1st Division, about 700 Zulus, with all their cattle, -women, and children, came into the camp at Richard's Cove, near Port -Durnford, to tender submission and to claim protection. There is not the -slightest doubt but that they had heard of the battle, although there -was not a whisper of the engagement heard amongst these people. General -Crealock, to give importance to the ceremony, ordered a general parade -of the division at midday, and it was impossible not to be struck with -the attenuated condition of his battalions, although every available man -was put on parade. Both brigades made up rather a weak division. The -1st Brigade was made up of the Buffs, two companies of the 88th, two -companies of the "Shah's" and "Active's" bluejackets, and one of the -marine artillery; while the 2nd Brigade was composed of the Royal -Artillery, 57th, 60th Rifles, and 91st--in all twenty companies. At half -past twelve the General, surrounded by his staff, rode on to the ground, -and the division was wheeled into line. Then a galloper was sent out to -the Zulus who were halted on the crest of the neighbouring hills, and -they were told to advance and lay down their arms. Three hundred -fine-looking fellows then advanced in good order, and arriving at the -prescribed distance, made the customary obeisance while they deposited -assegais and guns, in number about seventy, fire-arms mostly of the old -pattern. - -However, time proved that the results of Lord Chelmsford's engagement -and victory on the 4th (July) were of far greater importance than had -been at first imagined. Chiefs and tribes came pouring into the various -camps, not by dozens or by scores, but literally by hundreds, and the -only two questions they asked--and these kept invariably recurring--were -"Why was not the victory of Ulundi followed up vigorously? and why was -Cetywayo allowed to escape?" - -It was this great error of immediately retiring from Ulundi which made -us again ridiculous, not only in the eyes of Zululand, but also in those -of military Europe. It was due, not to Lord Chelmsford, nor those under -his command, but to extraneous influences beyond his control; and public -opinion never arrived at a more true or just conclusion than in saying -that the arrival of Lord Chelmsford's successor, no matter how valuable -or how necessary it might have been, came at a most inopportune time, -for it was well known that Lord Chelmsford's plans were so perfectly -matured, that had he been left free to carry out his own designs, -instead of being hampered and constrained by the orders of the new -Commander-in-chief, he would have followed up Ulundi with the utmost -possible activity, and would in all probability have secured the person -of the king. Terms for the final pacification of the whole of Zululand -could then have been dictated on the spot, and there would have been an -end to the entire business. - -Under these circumstances therefore Lord Chelmsford determined to resign -all command; and within three days of the brilliant victory of Ulundi it -was known to the soldiers throughout the camp that their General was -about to leave them, and that with him were going Sir Evelyn Wood, -General Crealock, and Colonel Redvers Buller. Accordingly a grand parade -of all arms was ordered on the morning of the 8th (July), that the -General might take a formal leave of his men. At nine a.m. the -bugle-call for coverers was sounded, the staff officers marked the -alignment, and the various corps moved like clockwork upon their -respective pivots. The division was then wheeled into line by General -Newdigate, and the flanks, bringing forward their right and left -shoulders, three sides of a large hollow square was formed, with the -front ranks facing inwards. Lord Chelmsford, his staff, and three -brigadiers formed the fourth side of the square, and in a few -warm-hearted, well chosen, and soldierlike sentences the -Commander-in-chief, under whom the troops had seen so much good hard -work, honest service, and from whom all ranks had received at various -times some recognition of their conduct in camp and on the field of -battle, bade them farewell, and thanked them for the manner in which -their duty to their Queen and country had been performed. "For the -courage, the coolness, and the devotion you have all displayed wherever -I have been with you, I give you my best and my warmest thanks. For the -unselfish devotion and untiring energy and good-humour with which you -have encountered hardship, fatigue, and privation I find it hard to -sufficiently express my gratitude. In all senses you have done your duty -as English soldiers." Such were the concluding words of a leader whom -all loved, respected, and all regretted. - -On the following day the camp bivouac was broken up, and the cavalry, -the 2nd Division, and the flying column, marched _en route_ to -Intanjaneni and Kwamagwasa, thus beyond doubt leading Cetywayo and his -indunas to suppose that their losses at Ulundi and want of military -skill caused them to forego the advantages they had won. - -Despatches from General Crealock fully demonstrate that his inability to -effect a junction with the 2nd Division before the action at Ulundi was -due to no want of energy or organization on his part, but solely to -those causes which will impede the movements of all bodies of civilized -troops in uncivilized lands. But although sickness amongst the oxen and -other impediments to transport caused General Crealock to lose his share -of the victory gained, his time had not been wasted, for much valuable -work was done in the nature of road-making and raiding over the enemy's -country, thus affording a diversion which considerably weakened -Cetywayo's chances of inflicting a defeat upon the other column. The -task of establishing the new base of supply at Port Durnford and the -building of Fort Napoleon was thrown entirely upon the 1st Division, and -naturally interfered with its rapid advance. The work, however, that -fell to the coast column was fully and admirably carried out, and a -pontoon and a trestle-bridge were built over the Tugela, without which -no important advance could have been made along the coast. The ford over -the Inyoni was rendered permanently practicable, and can, now that the -descent is made easy for waggons, be passed at all seasons. The same -work was effected at the Umsundusi and Amatikula rivers, whose -approaches were made safe for wheels. The Umkusi and Inyezani hills and -drifts were also made passable by improvement in the roads. Along the -Umlatoosi valley numerous small but difficult streams had drifts made -over them. From the Umlatoosi to St. Paul's Mission Station used to be a -bad and most difficult road, but all the dangerous places were now -levelled, and a strong and defensible position was given. Fords were -secured across the Uvulu, the Entonjaneni, the Umvolosi, and the -Umlalasi, and there no physical obstacle was allowed to remain to delay -the march of a European column with its baggage in any part of the coast -and the south of Zululand, while forts had been completed or erected at -Tenedos, Pearson, Crealock, Chelmsford, Napoleon, and Durnford. - -The result of this was that Sir Garnet Wolseley, in taking over Lord -Chelmsford's command, found a complete chain of military posts, the -like of which was never before seen in South Africa, extending along the -Zulu frontier from the Blood and Buffalo rivers to the Umvolosi mouth -and Port Durnford, and, in fact, encompassing three out of four sides of -Cetywayo's kingdom. - -In addition to the formation of the new base and the seaward -communications the later operations of Barrow's cavalry fully vindicated -the reputation they had obtained for activity. Barrow's Irregular -Mounted Corps, although not so numerous as those of Buller, were equally -worthy of praise, alike for their admirable discipline, courage in -action, and skill in patrolling. They consisted of about fifty enrolled -volunteers under Captain Addison, forming a body called the "Natal -Guides," three troops of Lonsdale's Mounted Rifles, three of the Mounted -Infantry, the Natal Horse, and a very useful contingent of mounted -natives. These, under such leaders as Colonel Barrow, Major Lord -Gifford, Captains Barton and Nettleton, were at once the eyes and ears -of the column. On July 6th Barrow's men made a forced march, during -which they were thirty hours in the saddle, and, reaching Ondini, the -king's old kraal, burnt it to the ground. The patrol paraded overnight, -and started some two hours before daylight, making its way through a -valley district over fifteen miles in length by three or four in -breadth, though here and there narrowing in parts to only one mile, over -lofty spurs and ridges running into it, forming a series of -densely-wooded and impracticable ravines. The weather was intensely hot, -and although the men and horses were both distressed at times, the -troops did their work in a manner which reflected great credit upon all -present. From this valley the road or trek ran for ten or twelve miles -through an open but rather broken country, the hills in the distance -being covered with dense bush. The patrol then turned eastwards over a -table-land which stretched away for about twenty miles, till the edge of -the plateau is reached, and the path descends abruptly into the great -thorn valley to the west of the White Umvolosi; at the edge of this -plateau the coast road joins. From this point the patrol marched a few -miles, and halted for off-saddle and breakfast on the right bank of the -river. The road is fairly good, but passes through thick thorn-bush, and -the country is very broken and contains a number of small streamlets -tributary to the Umvolosi. The drift here is good, and is commanded by a -high stony hill to the north and upon the right of the road, and within -rifle range of one of the smaller royal kraals. The Ondini kraal was -reached about noon. It was occupied by some Zulus, who made away as the -troops advanced at a canter; the place was fired, and in half an hour -was utterly destroyed. The return to camp was made by another road, -which was long and tedious; several of the horses were completely -knocked up, one dying from exhaustion and several having to be abandoned -on the road. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - Arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley--Reception at Durban--Changes made by - Wolseley--His plans for the future--Attempt to land at Port Durnford - and its failure--Sir Garnet at St. Paul's--Grand council of Zulu - chiefs--Resignation of General Crealock--His farewell to his troops - at Camp Umlalasi--Fêtes in honour of Lord Chelmsford--Wolseley at - Pietermaritzburg--Disturbances in Pondoland and Transvaal--Wolseley - at Rorke's Drift--McLeod and the Swazis--Their appearance and - habits--Wolseley at Intanjaneni--Surrender of guns by - Mbelebele--Adhesion of various chiefs. - - -It is now time to turn attention to the movements of the new -Commander-in-chief and Governor. On the 28th of June his Excellency Sir -Garnet Wolseley and his staff landed at Durban from the C.R.M.S. -"Dunkeld." The whole town was that day _en fête_, as the Durbanites like -a sensation, no matter of what nature. At daylight the whole of the -military and naval authorities were astir, and various coloured bunting -began to appear all over the town. Crowds of well-to-do shopkeepers and -farmers went down to the point on horseback, while hundreds went by the -train. All the ships in the harbour and the bluff were gaily decorated, -and the men-of-war, transports, and merchant-vessels were gallantly -dressed in bunting from stem to stern. Sir Garnet brought with him -many of his old staff, and others joined later on. Colonel Pomeroy -Colley arrived by the next Zanzibar steamer, and took up the duties of -chief of the staff, and Captain Lord Gifford joined from his regiment, -the 57th. Sir Garnet Wolseley was not only to be Governor, -Commander-in-chief, and High Commissioner in Natal and the Transvaal, -but also to exercise the functions of the latter office in the countries -to the north and to the east. - -The changes ordered by the new Commander-in-chief were numerous and -important. In the first place all military operations against Secocoeni -were to be discontinued. This order gave great dissatisfaction, as -several highly successful patrols had already been made against this -chieftain; and Colonel Lanyon, after great delay and difficulty having -completed his arrangements for the attack, was actually on his way to -the front, when instructions reached him to stop and send his men to -Derby, to protect that part of the border from Zulu raids. - -The troops were to be immediately consolidated and reduced, and with -them the expenses of the war. - -The landing of the Marines was countermanded, and they were to be sent -back with all possible speed to Simon's Bay; the Natal Carabineers, the -Durban Mounted Rifles, Bettington's Horse, and the Frontier Light Horse -were to be forthwith disbanded: the 1st Division and the Cavalry brigade -were to be broken up; while the forts along the coast were to be -abandoned. The following troops were also named for immediate -embarkation:--1-24th, the 3rd (Buffs), the 99th, the 88th, the 1st -battalion 13th, and two batteries of artillery, to proceed to England; -the 17th Lancers to go on to India; Ellaby's and Tremlett's batteries -to proceed to St. Helena. Lord Chelmsford, Generals Marshall, Wood, and -Crealock, Colonels Crealock, Downe, Dawney, and Buller, Captains Buller, -Molyneux, Frere, Milne, Grenfell, Beresford, and Reilly were going home, -either by order or at their own request. Indeed almost the only officer -of high position who elected, or was selected, to remain was General -Clifford, who still retained his post of Inspector-General of the lines -of communication. - -Sir Garnet's plan of operations for the future was as follows: a -military post at Durnford with 400 men; another at St. Paul's, with a -brigade; and a third at Intanjaneni with 400 men; a regiment to remain -on the Umlatoosi, and a battalion of the Native Contingent to guard the -line of the Tugela. Colonel Baker Russell was to start at once with a -flying column from St. Paul's and co-operate with Oham in the west. -Colonel George Villiers was to proceed to join Oham and organize various -bodies of burghers, Natal natives, and Zulus, to hem in Cetywayo in that -direction, whilst McLeod (late 74th Regiment) was to raise, equip, and -command 5000 warriors of the Amaswazis, and, if necessary, lead them -right into Zululand. Colonel Clarke (57th) meanwhile was to march -straight on Ulundi, there to await Sir Garnet's arrival, with a force -consisting of the 57th, 60th, five companies of the 80th, two troops of -Lonsdale's Horse, one battalion of the Natal Native Contingent, and some -mounted natives under the chiefs Jemptse and Mafionge, together with a -battery of Gatlings and the Natal Pioneers. Meanwhile Sir Garnet had -convened a great council of Zulu chieftains to be held at St. Paul's, -July 19th, to arrive if possible at some definite arrangement for the -temporary government of the country. Such were the main features of the -new commander's programme, and though severe strictures were at first -passed thereupon by the majority of the colonists and old soldiers -experienced in Kaffir warfare, time proved that his calculations were -just and well-founded. - -Leaving Durban on the 2nd of July, Sir Garnet and staff embarked on -board her Majesty's ship "Shah," and proceeded to Durnford, where -several attempts to land were made, but without success. On the morning -of the 3rd, the steam-tug "Koodoo" came alongside, and Sir Garnet and -his staff, including the two Colonels Russell, Captains Buchanan, -Maurice, Braithwaite, and Baynes, Dr. Russell, and Mr. Herbert (private -secretary), were with great difficulty and no little risk embarked on -her and subsequently transferred to a surf-boat or lighter. While towing -the lighter towards the shore the hawser broke, but most fortunately a -sail was hoisted at once, and the boat, getting clear of the breakers, -was again taken in tow by the "Koodoo." After several ineffectual -attempts to get the lighter made fast to the warp, the recall was fired -from the "Shah," and Sir Garnet returned to the man-of-war. As the day -wore on the surf became worse, and towards evening Captain Bradshaw, -commanding the "Shah," deemed it no longer safe to remain at anchor off -the bar. Sir Garnet therefore returned to Durban, and hastening on -overland _viâ_ Forts Chelmsford, Pearson, and Crealock, reached the camp -of the 1st Division at Richard's Cove, Port Durnford, on July 6th. - -On the 14th an advance column, consisting of Buller's Light Horse about -100, two guns, the 57th Regiment, the whole under Colonel B. Russell, -C.B., left camp and marched in the direction of St. Paul's, as far as -the Umlatoosi, where they entrenched themselves on the right bank, the -cavalry and Dunn's scouts forming an advanced guard on the left. This -position commands a path about ten miles from the mouth of the river, -and the site is very picturesque, overlooking the valley to the -north-west. His Excellency and headquarter staff accompanied the column, -and the next morning pushed on to St. Paul's with an escort of cavalry, -where were the headquarters of the 2nd Division. A parade of the troops, -including the 17th Lancers and some 500 irregular cavalry--the -celebrated Buller's Horse--was held, and the General, after taking leave -of Lord Chelmsford, Brigadier General Wood, Colonel Buller, who with -their staffs were leaving for England, returned to the camp on the -Umlatoosi. It has been already said that the 19th was fixed by Sir -Garnet Wolseley for the meeting or durbar of the principal chiefs, all -of whom were expected to attend. By noon on that day the camp presented -a curious sight. Outside the General's tent a guard of honour, with the -Queen's colours, was drawn up, while a large space was railed off for -the reception of Zulu visitors, who came winding in bands over the -slopes of the neighbouring hills from an early hour in the morning. As -each deputation from its respective tribe came into camp, preceded by -its principal rulers, it was formed up in a sort of column, sixteen or -eighteen feet deep, in the space set apart for the visitors. The -gathering was a numerous one, upwards of 250 chiefs and their followers -having attended, and evidently considering the occasion as one of great -importance, as each man was attired in his most gorgeous manner. The -enclosure was at the same time council-chamber and reception-hall, and -although no seats were required, skins, mats, and canvas were put down -for the principal chiefs to sit upon. Some of the chiefs had a covering -of cow's tails and other skins round the waist, while broad rings of -copper were worn round the arms and ankles of others. Plumes of feathers -adorned the heads of the principal men, and hanging behind, somewhat -after the fashion of a Hungarian pelisse, each warrior wore a panther or -other similar skin. The array of dusky savages looked fairly imposing, -although none of them were armed save with the knobkerrie of place, -which as they squatted was laid methodically in front of each man. Upon -the hills in the distance were a number of boys and women who had -accompanied the chiefs, but who preferred to remain outside spectators -of the conference. The enclosure was marked out by branches of the -mimosa, cut in convenient lengths, and forming a sort of palisade, which -kept the crowd from intruding. When all were reported present, Sir -Garnet and his staff, accompanied by Mr. Fynny, border agent, came out -of his tent, and the guard having presented arms, the proceedings -commenced. The two principal chiefs were the king's brothers, -Dabulamanzi and Magwendi, who both replied to Sir Garnet's speech. -Dabulamanzi was a fine-looking man of large size, apparently in the full -vigour of his age, and of great muscular development, presenting in this -regard a striking contrast to his brother Oham, who was simply a large -fat man. There was an air of considerable thought and command in his -face, and, unlike the other chiefs, who wore their hair closely cropped, -except with a black band round the temples, his hair was thrown back and -his broad forehead was encircled with a fillet of ostrich feathers -terminating with a single plume behind. Heavy rings of highly polished -copper spanned the thick part of the arms of Magwendi, a much shorter -and more common-looking man, and whose neck was adorned with a necklace -formed of monkey's teeth and small shells. Both these chiefs held in -their right hands the same kind of short stick carried by their -warriors, while their left hands rested on their naked knees. Mr. Fynny, -the well-known border agent, who was considered to know almost as much -about Zululand and the Zulus as Mr. John Dunn, and that is saying much, -performed the duties of interpreter with remarkable skill and fluency, -translating Sir Garnet's speech, sentence by sentence, as it was -uttered, with due emphasis and point. Sir Garnet Wolseley spoke as -nearly as possible to the following effect: "I am very pleased to -welcome you to my camp, because your coming in answer to my invitation -shows you are as anxious for peace as I am myself, and as is the great -Queen in whose name I now speak. We came to make war with Cetywayo, not -with the Zulu people, and to put an end to his cruelties and his -military system, which with his marriage laws made life and property -unsafe in your land. We want peace with the Zulus, and that they shall -be at peace with our people in Natal. We have beaten the king in open -fight and burnt his kraal, so that he is now a fugitive and shall never -more reign in Zululand. We might now take all Zululand, but we do not -want any of it, and we wish that all of you should have your property -and land. I rode to St. Paul's the other day, and found all the people -on the way living quietly in their own kraals, and with their cattle in -them. All may do the same, but all must first give up their arms and the -king's cattle in token of their submission. The old laws of Zululand -shall be restored, and you shall be ruled by your own chiefs, whom you -all know. I shall divide the kingdom into four or five districts, and -all men shall be free to come and go, to work, to marry, and to become -rich. The great Queen, who sends me, wishes the Zulus should be happy, -but those who continue to bear arms, and will not submit, must be given -up. On the north the Swazis and the Amatongas are only kept by my orders -from invading Zululand, while Oham and his soldiers are moving upon the -west. I am going myself to Ulundi on the 10th, where I shall tell the -Zulu people my arrangements for the future government of the country." -This address was listened to with great attention, and with the most -respectful silence, and several of the chiefs replied, one in particular -making the naive and rather sarcastic remark that he and his friends -could not see what fault Cetywayo had committed, but as the English -chiefs had seen it they were satisfied. Dabulamanzi did not speak, -except to Magwendi, who rose and complained that his cattle had been -taken from him, and that some of them had been sent in as belonging to -the king. Redress was at once promised by Sir Garnet. The meeting then -broke up, the chieftains undertaking to meet Sir Garnet again at Ulundi -on August 10th, to arrive at a final settlement of affairs. - -It has been before mentioned that General Crealock had determined to -resign his command of the 1st Division; it was in pursuance of this -resolution that he ordered a general parade on July 21st, on which -occasion he made a short but appropriate speech to his men. - -There were on parade the Buffs, 60th Rifles, 91st, the naval brigade of -the "Boadicea," one company of Marines, two troops of Lonsdale's Horse, -one troop of Natal Horse, and a battery of 7-pounders. This little army -was drawn up on the usual parade-ground, not far from the river, and in -the midst of a scene of the greatest natural beauty. The banks of the -stream are thickly wooded, and the valley is the resort of large species -of game. Crocodiles frequent the river, and make it dangerous to bathe. -Thick, thorny underwood, mingled with tall reeds and date-palms, grow -close down to the waters, which reflect the tall green trees that -overarch above. Trees, with branches bearing bright green leaves and -yellow fragile flowers, drooped nearly to the ground around the plain. -Pre-eminent in splendour shone out the brilliant _combretta_, whose -masses of bloom gleamed like torches amidst the dark green of the -thickets, whilst the golden sheen of the fruit intensified the marked -contrast of the tints. At the drinking-place used for the horses the -water flowed in streamlets over the rocks and along a long red sandbank. -A ledge of granite forms a rugged barrier eight or ten feet high across -the river, and down the hollows of this the clear waters rush and ripple -in rills, cascades, and rapids, bubbling and eddying among the great -masses of rock below, in many of which, like those of the Zambesi, great -holes are worn by stones which during the flood perhaps had settled in -small hollows. Dark lines of trees border the river on the right, and on -the left there is a fine grove of baobabs with large dark green leaves -and wide-spreading branches. Crossing a sandstone hill with a spur -stretching away to the eastward, and adorned with some splendid -specimens of the encephalartos, or Kaffir bread, and then descending -into the valley of the Umlalasi, one comes to sandstone and gneiss, -rising in cliffs of 600 feet on the south of the river, but sloping away -gradually on the north. The banks are covered with verdant and -golden-blossomed acacias, some of them with yellow bark and the sweet -gum, which is said to indicate the presence of the tsetse fly. Away to -the north are to be seen groves of palm and mimosas, with stems forty -feet to the lower branches. Far away beyond the plain can be seen the -purple outlines of the great Lebombo range of mountains. These are to -the east of the Drakenberg, and intervene between it and the sea. -Stretching northward from the Pongolo river, this range crosses the -Oliphant and touches the Limpopo. Its highest elevation is about 2150 -feet high, and at the point at which the Umvolosi passes through the -range to Delagoa Bay there is a lofty peak which reaches to 1900 feet, -the river bed being there only 300 feet above sea level. Further north -the range declines, and is cut through by the Pongolo and the Usuta, -tributaries of the Maputa; also by the Umvolosi, the Umcomazi, the -Sabia, and the Oliphant, all of which run into the Indian Ocean. Such -were the features of the landscape, and such was the background to this -farewell parade. - -After the division had wheeled into line a very creditable march past -was performed, and the troops then wheeled into a square, and were -addressed by General Crealock, who told them that, in obedience to -orders received from Sir Garnet Wolseley, the column was to be broken up -and dispersed. The General said that he took this opportunity, before -separating, to thank all hands for their good conduct and constant hard -work, carried on without a murmur and in the midst of many difficulties. -The task allotted to the 1st Division was to establish a series of posts -along the coast of Zululand with an advanced depôt of supplies, to open -a base of supplies at Port Durnford, from which to feed a force -operating against Ulundi, and finally to destroy the military kraals and -clear the district of Zulus. All these instructions were fully carried -out by the 1st Division by the 5th of July; and the General, in wishing -them a hearty good-bye and success and prosperity, thanked all for the -good conduct and zeal which enabled him to do so much. - -Lord Chelmsford, who was now on his way home to England, received most -enthusiastic receptions at Maritzburg, Durban, and Capetown. The banquet -given in his honour at Pietermaritzburg was, perhaps, the most brilliant -affair of the kind ever achieved in the colony, but there were those who -considered the ball in Durban as a still greater, for there were more -ladies and officers present who had come long distances to assist at the -festivity. Sir Garnet Wolseley and the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Evelyn -Wood, and his _Fidus Achates_, Colonel Buller, Major-General Clifford, -and all the fighting and dancing men within a hundred miles of the place -responded to the call. Durban never before saw such a display of "rank, -beauty, and fashion." All the belles of Natal were there to welcome the -winner of Ulundi, and to sympathize with him in his efforts, under -adverse criticisms and untoward fortune, to do his duty as a soldier of -our Queen. The general feeling of the colony may be gathered from the -mayor's speech, who, in proposing his lordship's health, said that he -felt doubly proud on the occasion, as he did not speak alone for -himself, but in the name and with the voice of all Natal. Against -difficulties which only colonial experience could realize, and against -bitter and most vituperative criticism, Lord Chelmsford had worked -steadily and patiently until he accomplished the object he was sent to -perform. The General, in reply, expressed in a soldierlike and -impressive manner his deep sense of the kind feelings expressed by the -mayor, and acknowledged that the reception accorded to him had quite -overwhelmed him. But in giving his acknowledgments and thanks, his -lordship made a happy allusion to the devotion and zeal of those who -commanded and fought under him; and when he came to the mention of -Evelyn Wood and Redvers Buller--two names which, he said, represented -all that a soldier could show in loyalty and efficiency--his modest -eulogium upon these, "his right hand and left hand supports during the -war," was perhaps the most well received and telling point of his -address. That Wood's services were appreciated by the colonists may be -gathered from the fact that he was most warmly solicited by Mr. Gordon -Sprigg, the Premier, to accept the appointment of Commandant-General of -the Colonial Forces; and this request was made by the almost unanimous -wish of the whole ministry. Sir Evelyn, however, did not feel at liberty -to accept till he had consulted with the authorities at home. - -On August 5th, Lord Chelmsford, Sir Evelyn Wood, Colonel Crealock, -Colonel Buller, Major Grenfell, Captain Molyneux, and Captain Buller, -embarked on board the Union steamship "German," and sailed for England, -where they arrived safely and were received with the honours they had so -worthily deserved. - -After the meeting of chiefs on the 19th, at the camp on the Umlatoosi, -Sir Garnet Wolseley returned to Pietermaritzburg. Here he was engaged in -arranging matters of detail until July 29th. Disturbances in Pondoland -and the Transvaal also now claimed his attention. In the former the -Pondos had attacked the Xesibes, a tribe in alliance with England and -under British protection. Hither Lieutenant-Colonel Bayley, with a -detachment of Cape Mounted Rifles, was despatched from Butterworth, and -soon succeeded in putting an end to this trouble. In the Transvaal the -Boers were agitating for a repeal of the union, and threatening to -assert their independence by force of arms. To render matters secure in -this quarter Sir Garnet sent the headquarters of the King's Dragoon -Guards, under Colonel Alexander, to Pretoria. On the 30th the Commander -and his staff moved to Greytown and thence on, with a small escort, to -the temporary camp at Umsingu. Travelling herefrom with all speed he -reached Rorke's Drift early the following morning (August 3rd). -Despatches were waiting here for the Commander-in-chief, and determined -the next week's movements. Cetywayo was still reported in a kraal in the -Ngome, while letters were at hand from Villiers giving anything but a -flattering account of his friend Oham and his promised Burgher and -native levies. M'Leod also wrote to point out the difficulties under -which he was labouring with his Swazis, and asking for some European -troops to be sent to him to keep them under control. Villiers was -concentrating his heterogeneous gathering of levies at Luneberg, and -hoped to be ready on or by the 6th; while M'Leod suggested that he -should merely guard the frontier to prevent Cetywayo's escape, and not -tempt his savages with the sight of their enemy's kraals or cattle; for -to allow them to cross the border would be, he wrote, risking murder, -rapine, and all sorts of atrocities, which, if once begun, it would be -impossible to stop. - -So little is generally known of the Swazis, that a short description of -their persons and habits may here be acceptable. What are usually called -Swazis are, in reality, somewhat a mongrel race, being a cross between -the Zulu and the old race of Swaziland. The Swazis living along the -borders of the Wakkerstroom, until late owed allegiance to Cetywayo, and -some of them indeed had fought for him, notably Manyoyaba, a chief -paramount in the Abakalusian district. But quarrels arose between the -two races and they became most bitter foes; indeed once the Swazis were -near extermination at the hands of the Zulus. - -The whole tribe possess characteristically broad heads with thick hair, -which would be as frizzly as that of a negro were it not carefully -dressed in the Zulu fashion with plaster of grease and red clay. Their -eyes, almond-shaped and somewhat sloping, are shaded with thick, -sharply-defined brows, and are of remarkable size and fulness. The wide -space between them testifies to the unusual width of the skull, and -contributes a mingled expression of animal ferocity, warlike resolution, -and, strange to say, ingenuous candour. A flat, square nose, a mouth of -about the same width as the nose, with very thick lips; a round chin, -and full, plump cheeks complete the countenance which may be described -as circular in its general contour. The bodies of the Swazis are -generally inclined, like those of the Zulus, to be fat, but they are -seldom wanting in muscular strength. They are fairly well proportioned, -but the upper part of the figure is somewhat long in proportion to the -legs, and this peculiarity gives a strange character to their movements, -although it does not seem any bar to their agility in their war-dances. -Nothing can be more simple than the ordinary headgear of the women. It -would, however, be a matter of some difficulty to find any kind of -plait, tuft, or topknot, which has not been used by the Swazi men. The -hair is usually parted right down the middle; towards the forehead it -branches off so as to leave a kind of triangle, and from the fork which -is thus formed, a tuft is raised and carried back to be fastened behind. -On either side of this tuft the hair is arranged in rolls, like the -ridges and crevices of a melon, while over the temples separate rolls -are gathered up into knots, from which hang more tufts, twisted like a -cord, that fall in bunches round the neck, three or four of the largest -tresses being allowed to go free over the breast and shoulders. A -favourite decoration is formed with the teeth of a dog strung together -under the hair and hanging along the forehead like a fringe. Another -ornament not at all uncommon is worn by some, and this is ivory cut in -imitation of lions' teeth, and arranged in radial fashion round the -breast, the effect of the white substance in contrast with the dark skin -being very striking. The weapons of the Swazis are much the same as -those of the Zulus, but they have more variety in shape and quality of -the assegai. The shields are smaller, and usually woven of stout reeds -and then covered with undressed hide. They use also a heavy kind of -lance which is adapted to the chase of large game. - -A favourite amusement is a kind of war-dance, in which a warrior -describes a conflict in which he was once engaged. Thus a chief may be -often seen with his assegais in one hand, his woven shield and -knobkerrie in the other, with his knife in his girdle, and his limbs -encircled by a skin, to which are attached the tails of the wild cat and -other animals. Adorned on his breast and on his forehead by strings of -teeth, the trophies of war or of the chase, his large keen eyes gleaming -from beneath his heavy brow, his white and pointed teeth shining from -between his parted lips, he alternately advances and retires before an -imaginary foe, with a wild yet dramatic grace, which adds life and -reality to the tale he is telling. In describing these people, it is -hard to determine how far they should be deemed a race of hunters or of -agriculturists, the two occupations being apparently equally distributed -between the sexes. The men most assiduously devote themselves to their -hunting, and leave the care of the cattle and the culture of the soil to -be carried on exclusively by the women. Now and then, indeed, the men -bring home fruits, tubers, and funguses from their excursions in the -forests, but practically they do nothing for their families beyond -providing them with game. The agriculture of Swaziland, like that of -Zululand involves but a small amount of labour. The area of the arable -land is certainly limited, but the exuberant productiveness of the soil, -scarcely to be surpassed in any part of the world, makes the cultivation -of the country supremely easy, and provides the people with all they -want. The entire land is, besides, pre-eminently rich in spontaneous -products, animal and vegetable alike, and these conduce to a direct -maintenance in comparative ease of human life. Manioc, sweet potatoes, -yams, are cultivated with little trouble, and all yield good crops. -Plantains are rarely seen. Although the Swazis have a few carefully -prepared dishes, of which they partake on high feasts and festivals, in -a general way they exhibit as little nicety or choice in their diet as -the Amaxosas or the Zulus. They have one dish, however, on which they -pride themselves, and this most palatable mess is composed of the pulp -of fresh maize, ground or pounded while the grain is soft and milky, -cleansed from the bran, and prepared carefully, so that it is not burnt -to the bottom of the pot. The mode of preparation is ingenious. A little -water having been put over the fire, until it is just beginning to boil, -the raw meal, which has previously been rolled into small lumps, is very -gently shaken in, and, having been allowed to simmer for a time, the -whole is finally stirred up together. The acme, however, of all earthly -enjoyments to these people would seem to be meat. "Meat!" is a watchword -that one hears in all their campaigns, and beyond all doubt the alacrity -with which these people responded to M'Leod's appeal was caused by the -anticipations of devouring Cetywayo's cattle. Amongst their other -accomplishments may be mentioned the art they possess of making from -malted eleusine a very palatable species of beer. This drink, which by -the Swazis is prepared from the eleusine, is really capable, from the -skill with which it is manipulated, of laying a very fair claim to be -known as beer. It is quite bright, of a reddish pale brown colour, and -is regularly brewed from the malted grain, without the addition of any -extraneous ingredient. It has, moreover, a pleasant bitter flavour -derived from the dark husks, which, if they were mixed in their natural -condition with the dough, would impart a twang that would be exceedingly -unpalatable. How large is the proportion of beer consumed by the Swazis -may be estimated by simply observing the ordinary manner in which they -store their corn. As a rule there are three granaries allotted to each -dwelling, of which two are made to suffice for the supply which is to -contribute the meal necessary for the household, and the other is -entirely devoted to the grain that has been malted. - -On August 4th Sir Garnet Wolseley left Rorke's Drift, and, after -inspecting the several posts _en route_, reached Intanjaneni on the -evening of the 6th. Intanjaneni is admirably situated for a central -rendezvous as well as a depôt of supplies. It is on the left bank of the -Umlatoosi, or Slater's River, a stream which is constantly confounded -by careless geographers with the Umlalazi, which is ten miles further to -the south-west. Hither General Clarke and his column had preceded him; -messengers also had already come in from Umnyama, Cetywayo's prime -minister, from Tyengwayo, who was second in command at Isandhlwana, and -likewise from the headmen Usukame and Umkilebani; all these men said -they would come in if their lives were spared and their property not -confiscated. Many other chiefs were also in correspondence and treaty -with the General, and all had promised to come to Ulundi on the 10th -August. - -On the 7th August messengers came from another chief of importance, by -name Mbelebele, whose kraal was situated on the eastern bank of the -Black Umvolosi, about twenty miles N.N.E. of the old kraal at Ondini. A -party was sent, in accordance with his request, to meet him halfway -between his kraal and Fort Victoria, the new post near Ulundi. The -interview, which took place at the foot of the mountain range of the -Lebombo, was short and satisfactory. - -Mbelebele brought with him over 200 guns. He also brought information -that Mangondo, another chief whose dwelling is near the Inkankla, would -surrender if assured of safety against the vengeance of the king. -Mbelebele seems to have been a man much trusted by the other chiefs, as -he had been in correspondence with the younger brother of Cetywayo, -Tyami, Usmwelu, Usiteon, and with Sekatewayo, a northern chief, who all -manifested a wish to come in and surrender their arms, cattle, and -ammunition, provided life and safety were assured. The chief, in -speaking of the king, although somewhat reticent on some points, was -certainly not so on others, and stoutly maintained that Cetywayo had -doubled upon his pursuers, and so far from being, as was thought, on his -way westward to Secocoeni, was in all likelihoods heading back towards a -kraal beyond the Lebombo range, called Mussipulo. This information, of -course, was at once sent to Lord Gifford and to Colonel Baker Russell. - -Sir Garnet Wolseley's next move was on to Fort Victoria, Ulundi, where -he arrived on August 9th. On the following day he received information -which eventually led to the capture of Cetywayo; but of this we shall -speak hereafter. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - Plans for the capture of Cetywayo--The Jantjis--Vijn's appearance at - Victoria--His narrative--Its consequences--Despatch of Major Barrow - and Lord Gifford in pursuit of the king--Their march--Description of - country traversed--Gifford and Maurice sent on by Barrow--Marches - and countermarches--Physical characteristics of country; its flora - and fauna--Visit to kraal of friendly Zulus--Capture of two of the - king's attendants--Women of the king's household captured--Captain - and twenty Basutos join Lord Gifford--Gifford's stratagem to obtain - information of the king's hiding-place--Cetywayo's refuge - discovered--Forced night-march--Message to Major Marter--His arrival - on the scene--Capture of the king. - - -Meantime the meshes of the net spread for King Cetywayo's capture were -being more and more closely woven. Colonel Villiers, who it has been -before mentioned had been sent to Oham's district, having got together a -force of 65 Europeans and 3050 natives in a fair state of organization, -had by August 13th advanced as far as the Assegai river, so as to form a -junction with M'Leod and his 5000 Swazis, at that time on the banks of -the Pongolo, and thus complete the chain round that side of the Zulu -country. - -Lord Gifford, with a number of Jantjis, was following up the king, -whilst 200 of the 57th were also in pursuit, carefully patrolling the -hills that lay beyond Amansekranze, ably seconded by 500 of Barton's -natives. The Intanjaneni district, from Middle Drift to Victoria and -St. Paul's, was laid down with a line of piquets, whose orders were to -keep strict watch by night and day. The escape of the Zulu monarch -therefore appeared an impossibility. The Jantjis just spoken of merit a -few words of description, not only on account of the good services they -rendered, but also because in some points they differ vastly from other -South African tribes. The men of this race are fine, active, and well -made, standing not unusually six feet in height. Their clothing consists -simply of a blanket, worn in peace time in the manner of a Roman toga, -but on the war-path invariably discarded for a simple belt of wild-cats' -tails. Their weapons are the light assegai, or umkhonto, and this spear -can be thrown by them to the distance of seventy or eighty yards, when -at that it will have sufficient strength to enter a man's body. Many of -the men even brought their guns, and showing Lord Gifford how expert -they were in their use, were allowed to carry and employ them, instead -of the original native weapon. The Jantjis, like the Kaffirs first, and -then the Zulus, are beginning to find out that the assegai is not a -match for a gun; consequently, as they have money, they procure a -tolerably large number of them. Like most of the Zulu tribes, they build -wickerwork huts, and thatch these with the long tambookie grass. These -huts are, as usual, arranged in a circle, and thus form a village, or, -as we should say, a kraal. The men, unlike the Zulus, are very fond of -horses, and most of them can ride. This makes them most useful as -mercenaries and levies. As they ride well, it is a pretty sight to see -those who are chosen as orderlies dashing along with the letter-bag -upon the smart little horses given them by Government. They utterly -disdain the use of a saddle, and always gallop along at full speed, with -an ostrich feather (if a chief) streaming in the wind, and some wild -animal's skin worn hussar fashion, and floating behind. Even with their -long black legs almost touching the ground, there is nothing grotesque -in their appearance, though doubtless in London such a horseman would -cause astonishment. Dashing up with a letter or heliographic message -from Sir Garnet, these fellows bring their horses to a sudden stand, as -Bedouins do, sending the mould and grit beneath the hoofs flying in the -air. Saluting then most gracefully, with the spearhead to the earth, the -messenger springs to the ground, and hands in his _paquet_. - -To resume our narrative. On Sunday afternoon (10th August), as Sir -Garnet Wolseley was walking with an aide-de-camp near the camp at Fort -Victoria, Ulundi, a man on foot was observed, apparently lame and -feeble, making the best of his way towards our camp. With glasses it -could be made out that he came along with difficulty, limping much, and -occasionally casting a furtive glance behind, as if in danger of being -pursued. As ponies were ready at hand and saddled, Sir Garnet mounted -and cantered out of the camp to see who the man was. On coming to close -quarters he found the wayfarer to be no less a personage than one -Cornelius Vijn, a Dutch trader of Natal, who was known to have been a -prisoner for some time at Cetywayo's kraal. His aspect and general -appearance were, to put it mildly, more those of a badly-dressed -scarecrow than those of a human being, and his haggard and hungry -contour, his wearied look, lean and meagre, with eyes deeply sunk in -their orbits, and his parchment-like cheeks, hollow and cavernous, all -spoke with an eloquent voice of the ordeal he must have undergone while -the enforced guest of King Cetywayo. The aide-de-camp, having with him a -flask and some biscuits, was enabled to somewhat revive the fugitive, -who then informed them who he was, and how he had managed to escape from -the king's thrall. As his information was considered highly important, -Sir Garnet desired Mr. Vijn to narrate briefly his story out of hearing -of the camp in order that any future operations or measures, consequent -upon the information given, might not transpire to the outer world. The -necessity for this precaution had been of late forced upon the General, -who had had many of his plans and movements made known by those upon -whose discretion while at headquarters he thought he could vouch for. -Besides, since his arrival in Natal, Sir Garnet had achieved all his -successes by striking without warning, and by carefully concealing the -movements of troops, stores, &c., from all but those actually in command -where the movement was to be made; and there was but little doubt that -the Zulus, in the earlier portion of the war, obtained much of their -information from the Dutch, at least from that section of the Boers who -thought it their interest to see the English army unsuccessful, and who -consequently made known to the enemy the British weak points. - -Mr. Vijn's narrative, although very long, did not contain many details -of general interest. He left Natal for trading purposes as far back as -the 29th of October, 1878, and about the middle of January fell into -the power of the king, who, however, does not seem to have treated him -at all rigorously, but allowed him to remain at one of his brother's -kraals under a sort of friendly supervision. During this detention Mr. -Vijn appears to have kept a sort of journal, which has a certain value, -as showing the opinions of the king, his brothers, and the Zulu people -in regard to the war. As Mr. Vijn's information regarding the movements -and whereabouts of the king was both authentic and valuable, and as he -volunteered to return to Cetywayo and persuade him to surrender, Sir -Garnet decided to avail himself of such offer. His presence near the -camp was, however, kept entirely secret, and having been allowed to rest -and refit, he was despatched on his return journey, pledging himself to -return if possible by Tuesday evening with the king's answer. On the -following Wednesday Mr. Vijn came back to the camp, and reported that -his mission had been unsuccessful, as the king had left the kraals where -Vijn had last seen him, and had fled away to the north towards the Ngome -forest. As soon as this news was communicated to Sir Garnet, -instructions were given to Major Barrow to take a troop of the King's -Dragoon Guards, sixty mounted infantry, some colonial levies and -natives, making in all a force of 220 whites and eighty natives, and to -proceed into the territory of those chiefs who were still holding out, -and where, it was supposed, the king had taken refuge. Major Marter, -K.D.G., Captain Maurice, Lord Gifford, Captain Hardy, Captain Hay, and -Mr. Herbert accompanied Major Barrow, and they merely took with them, to -be in as light marching order as possible, three days' preserved -rations--their commander wisely assuming that they would find no great -difficulty in foraging as they went on. Half an hour after the order to -parade was given they were all in the saddle and ready for the road. Sir -Garnet, accompanied by Colonel Colley, minutely inspected men, horses, -equipment, rations, and ammunition, and, after addressing a few private -words of advice to the officers, bade them "God-speed." - -Proceeding north-eastward at starting they soon came to the little river -Umbellan, which, flowing past the dense bush of the district, ultimately -joins the Umvolosi. At this time of the year it is about twenty feet -deep, and murmurs along a channel of from twenty to thirty feet wide, -now and then forming deep basins, which were found to be full of fish. -Soon after midnight the junction of the Black Umvolosi was reached, and -the first night's camp was made near a fine tamarind-tree, which was -noted as a landmark in case of a return that way. At this season there -was a rather heavy dew towards daybreak, but the nights were calm, and, -in comparison with the day, considerably colder than would be expected. - -Just as the party was ready and preparing to start, after an early meal -in the morning, some natives came from a neighbouring kraal with the -information that on the previous night one of their best oxen, having -strayed outside the cattle enclosure, had been seized and carried off by -a lion. It had already been stated by John Dunn that the district -through which they had to pass had been for some years infested with -lions, and lately the casualties had been so frequent that the -inhabitants were commencing to migrate. The Umvolosi at its junction -with the Umbellan is about the same size as the latter river, and at -this point makes a most remarkable bend from south-east to north-east, -but its general direction for some distance in this district is due -north, the stream flowing between banks twenty or thirty feet in height, -with an average width of full forty feet and a depth of only three feet. -The velocity of the current, however, was 120 feet a minute. Leaving -Amansekranze, they marched about nine miles towards the north-west, -having on their left the Black Umvolosi, and on their right the huge -terraces and wood-crowned ravines of the Lebombo mountains. The woods -came down to the river as it flowed between its rocky banks; and farther -north-west some wide meadow-like flats were crossed, containing water -basins almost as large as lakes. Several kinds of antelope of the larger -sort, waterbucks, and hartebeests appeared, and as the troopers managed -to wound and ride down several, their nightly bivouac in the forest was -solaced by a feast of excellent venison. Between the Umvolosi and the -Lebombo range the previous uniformity of the rocks began to be broken by -projections of gneiss and by scattered hills. About twelve miles from -the junction of the rivers at Amansekranze a remarkable illustration of -this formation was passed, where huge blocks of stone rose in mounds -from which colossal obelisks could be cut. These elevated places -alternated with extensive flats as level as a table-top. In keeping with -this weird and fantastic scenery and eccentric native architecture is -the peculiarity of the conies or rock rabbits that have their dwelling -among the crevices of the gneiss. Soon after the sun went down, and just -before sunrise, they were to be seen all round squatting like natives at -the entrance of their holes, into which at the slightest noise or sound -of danger they darted with the most extraordinary snorts and grunts. -There is, however, a great variety of species--difficult for one who is -not a skilled naturalist to distinguish the one from the -other--scattered through the whole of Zululand, each district seeming to -present its own representative. They appear to feed chiefly on the bark -of trees, although they will occasionally devour young shoots and grass. -Distinct from anything in the more civilized parts of South Africa was -the aspect of the landscape presented to view on the second morning of -the march. From the heights to which Barrow and his men had ascended, -and as far as the eye could reach, there extended a wide, grassy plain, -broken artistically by huge stones of the most fantastic outline and by -thickets and single trees. Graceful and luxuriant palms of the fan -species waved above the groves, while the russet autumnal tints gave a -rich colouring to the scenery; every rock, with its wealth of covering -parasites, being a picture in itself. In the far north could be seen the -Mussipulo and the distant portions of the Lebombo, whose purple peaks -stood out in bold relief in the pale azure of the horizon. In the far -distance, and in the direction of the Amatongas, the country had the -deep and luscious blue of a Neapolitan sky, mellowed, however, as it -came nearer and nearer into the most bewitching tints of grey and a -golden brown that Titian would have loved to paint. In the foreground -were the sturdy troopers of Marter's squadron grouped in picturesque -disorder as the process of saddling went on. These with their bright -uniforms, and the glint of steel scabbard, spur, and chain, were thrown -out by the splendid hues of a foliage rich and alternating with the -varied tints of red, yellow, and olive green, lightened up with the glad -freshness of the sprouting shrubs, the deep red of the numerous -ant-hills and the silver grey of the jutting rocks. - -After leaving the river, the way at first led over what for horses -alone, without wheels, was fair trekking ground. They then descended for -about five miles, coming gradually down the slopes to a sort of rough -trampled pathway, evidently made by a herd of driven cattle. Here could -be distinctly traced the spoor, and here the king's cattle had evidently -been driven. Now dipping into a deep hollow, where the grass grew in -rank luxuriance, now topping a gentle rise and stopping to listen if -they could hear the distant horns of the Zulu sounded when they announce -the proximity of an enemy,--the horsemen neared the forest-land at the -foot of the steep mountain range. Troops of eland crossed their path now -and then, and occasionally a herd of koodoo. They now came to the end of -the plain, and had to pass over a much more difficult country, where -they could scarcely manage to get along two abreast, and sometimes in -Indian file. The onward path at one portion of the kloof seemed -completely barred by a closely set forest of underwood bush of dwarf -acacia and creepers of the most tangled nature. Indeed it seemed at one -time impossible to pass, but Lord Gifford, after a search of some -moments, found the dry bed of a stream, up which, he said, they might -have a chance of progressing. They had now to dismount and lead their -horses, and slowly and with the greatest difficulty made their way on, -sometimes crawling on hands and knees, and having to drag their rifles -after them, winning way patiently, yard by yard, and almost inch by -inch. Sometimes they were fairly stopped by huge masses of rock, and -even compelled to cut a road through the spiky branches of the mimosa, -which were bound up tightly together with the wild vines and creeping -cane-like plants. For more than a mile did the column toil on through -this ravine, their clothes torn, and face and hands bleeding from the -thorns. - -The morning after the first day's march brought them to the kraals where -the king had been a fortnight previous to his flight, as stated to Sir -Garnet by the Dutch trader, and it was no surprise to find these kraals -burnt to the ground, and completely deserted. Therefore, after a brief -halt, they pushed on, and did not draw rein until it became only too -evident that the tired horses could go no further. They had been more -than three and twenty hours in the saddle, and the weight of the -dragoons had told severely upon Marter's horses, which, after the last -ten miles under a most burning sun, and over rough and broken ground, -were nearly all done up. On coming to the next kraal they found they -were still upon the right track, as they gleaned sufficient intelligence -to know that the king had slept there on the day preceding. He had, -however, been warned by scouts and signal-fires,--the latter had been -noticed as they came along,--and had decamped in time to get a good -start. At this point Major Barrow decided to leave the King's Dragoon -Guards behind, and push on with the lighter portion of his mounted men, -and this arrangement was carried out with the understanding that the -"King's" should follow as soon as their horses were fit. Once more, -therefore, Barrow set out, and, as he subsequently found, was upon the -king's trail for two clear days, having by dint of bribery and threats -extorted information as to the king's intentions. On Thursday the column -had a fearfully fatiguing and at the same time disappointing day. They -reached another kraal at sundown, having travelled over a most difficult -and hilly country all day. Major Barrow decided to bivouac at this -kraal, and to start during the night should the moon give sufficient -light. The moon, however, rose so late that it was really sunrise when -they were on the move on Friday morning. Lord Gifford was now sent on -ahead with a few men, and it was subsequently found afterwards that he -and Captain Hardy chased and nearly caught one of the king's principal -attendants. This man would have been caught had he not dexterously -abandoned his horse, and, taking to the jungle, managed to elude further -pursuit. Meanwhile the main body followed on, and on Saturday came to -another kraal. One of the king's personal attendants was here captured, -who having been frightened by a little threatening, showed where the -king had stayed and slept on Thursday. This fellow's statements were -somewhat contradictory and improbable. He wished Major Barrow to believe -that the king meditated changing the direction of his flight and -endeavouring to gain the Inkhangla bush, which is as nearly as possible -opposite the Tugela middle drift. But to make this point the king would -have had to get through the line of posts stationed in this district, -and this made the story seem improbable. Major Barrow, however, taking -the remote chance of the man being truthful, and having no better -information, allowed the Zulu to take him in a retrograde and southerly -direction, until he met another Zulu messenger, who said he had heard -nothing of the king along the road he came. Major Barrow therefore -retraced his steps to the camp of the main body on the Black Umvolosi, -and sent Lord Gifford and Captain Maurice on with eight men to get some -cattle from a kraal and obtain what information he could. - -The first destination of this party was a kraal with cattle and mealies, -and this was said to be about seven miles from where they were then -halted. On reaching the said kraal on Saturday afternoon they surprised -some Zulu boys, and partly by threats and partly by persuasion induced -them to come on to another kraal, seven miles off. These boys, after -some pressing, confessed that on the previous day (Friday), the king had -endeavoured to double back towards the south, and had slept within a -mile of where they had bivouacked, and had actually passed the kraal -where they then were. This intelligence confirmed the story that had -previously been told by the king's attendant, and the information was at -once sent back to Major Barrow. On Saturday night they slept in the -kraal they had reached in the afternoon, having during the day visited a -number of smaller kraals and villages, in which they captured many -assegais and other weapons. They thus had made a circuit and were now -heading almost due south, and though they had now been four clear days -in the saddle, had managed their three days' supply of rations so well -that they had still a reserve to fall back upon. This feat of -commissariat skill was accomplished by obtaining wherever they could -such simple supplies as the kraals afforded--sour milk, Indian corn -cakes made of mealies, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and now and then a -little Kaffir beer, which after a time, and when the taste is acquired, -is not such very bad stuff. Sunday, the 17th, was a most eventful day. -Lord Gifford paraded his men, and they started, as usual, just before -sunrise, their destination being an important military kraal, which they -had every reason to believe the king must have visited. The gallant -leader had on the previous evening induced two Zulu boys to accompany -his men as guides, for the shortest way was through the forest and -across country, where it was impossible to find the smallest trace of a -trek. When they set out, the whole of the wood was veiled in mist, and -the ground was yet reeking with the early dew. But as the light came on -they were rewarded by seeing an immense variety of forest shrubs. -Especially beautiful was the _Encephalartos_, which grew in abundance; -most noticeable too was a cabbage-shaped _Euphorbia_, as well as a large -variety of conspicuous shrubs, many of them covered with such fine -blossoms as to give the wilderness the aspect of an artificial park. - -About three miles to the right, and to the south of the ford last -crossed, rose several thickly-wooded hills, and in the kloofs could be -seen the smoke of kraals. The guides had by this time become quite -friendly and confidential, and by their advice more than one of these -kraals were surrounded, in hope that if they did not see the king they -might hear of his more recent movements. At three of these kraals they -captured arms and ammunition, and filled their haversacks with mealies, -but could gain no tidings of Cetywayo, although they knew he could not -be far off. In one instance they thought they had discovered their -prize, as coming out of the forest they saw a portion of open country -before them and several natives on horseback and on foot about two miles -away to their right. The scenery they were now approaching towards the -south-west assumed a character very different to the parklike landscape -through which they had been passing. For many miles the eye rested upon -treeless steppes and flats, broken by bamboo and mimosa jungles that -seemed almost impenetrable, and standing in detached groups, their dark -olive green contrasted admirably with the bright hue of the grass, -giving a complete novelty of character to the general aspect. The moment -the group of natives saw them emerge from the forest they quickened -their pace, and endeavoured to gain the jungle to their left, while Lord -Gifford detached three of his men round a small hill to cut them off. A -most exciting race now commenced, two Basutos joining in the pursuit, -and taking advantage of every rock and bush to dodge and intercept the -fugitives. Suddenly the Zulus became aware of the party sent round the -hill to intercept them, and giving a shout of alarm ran back in the -direction of the kraal the English troopers had left. This was exactly -what was required, and galloping right across the plain the troopers -caught them halfway. These men were found to be Zulus of the -neighbourhood, and when they were satisfied that their pursuers had no -hostile intentions they became quite friendly, offering milk and Kaffir -corn, as well as food for the horses. They professed to be starting on a -journey to a kraal about ten miles off, belonging to a chief named -Isnabomlika, who, they said, was anxious for the capture of the king, as -he had grievously oppressed him. Leaving these men, they continued their -march, and soon came to a tract of country much better cultivated than -any they had hitherto seen. Maize-fields (mealies) showed that the -ground was fertile, and although no cattle was seen, the presence of -several kraals on the neighbouring hills showed that the district was -populous. - -About midday they reached the large military kraal where it was thought -probable the king might have stopped. His guides had served him with -fidelity, and so Lord Gifford promised to reward them at headquarters -with a present of cattle to each. These lads had made themselves great -favourites with the men, who seemed quite to fraternize with them. Their -delight was unbounded when the officers came across and killed with -their rifles any description of game, and they seemed wonderfully -impressed with the accuracy of the shooting. They said it had been -currently reported in their neighbourhood that the king was lame and -could not travel fast, and that his followers were leaving him every -day. Just before reaching the kraal one of the lads, an intelligent, -sharp little fellow, as he was running a few yards in front of the -horses, pointed out to Lord Gifford the track of cattle leading away to -the bush on the right. They halted and had a consultation; but it was -decided not to follow these tracks, but to continue on southwards, their -object being, if possible, to hem in the king, and drive him on towards -the pickets of Barrow's party or the scouts of General Clarke, who had -four companies of infantry, the headquarters of the King's Dragoon -Guards, and a number of irregulars (cavalry and infantry) encamped at -the drift of the Black Umvolosi. As they knew that Clarke's patrols were -scouring the country to the north and east, they had no fear of the -king's escape in that direction. But little information was gained at -the big kraal, where they off-saddled for two hours, and fed their -rather overworked mounts. At three o'clock they again started and now -made a bend towards Entonjaneni, as by this course it was considered -they would have the best chance of intercepting the king in his attempt -to cut through the cordon now drawn around him. The range of hills which -they now had on their right were the Umyati. They are a continuation of -the Ngome mountains, which shoot out from the Lebombo towards the west, -and they form a portion of the ridge bordering the southern or right -bank of the Black Umvolosi. - -On the summit, as far as the eye could reach, there was an extensive -plateau broken by detached groves and handsome trees, and sloping down -towards the north to the stream. A few miles on they came to some fine -tamarinds, under the pleasant shade of which another short halt and -off-saddle was made. Before reaching the river they had to cross four -little brooks that flowed in an easterly direction to join it. The -first of these to the north of the hills was the upper course of the -Enhlongana, and was full of water in a deep bed enclosed in an avenue of -trees. A ridge of hills ran parallel to the path on the left, and after -they had crossed the second brook a mass of red rock, rising to about -300 feet was observed on the right. The long grass was now very -troublesome, coming up in some places to the saddle-flaps, and tickling -the horses in a most unpleasant manner. Towards five o'clock they -entered the splendid forest of Enhlongana, through which, but ten miles -to the west, they had passed some ten days before. After the forest came -an open steppe, with a distant view of the hills in front, which they -crossed, though more to the west than before. The passage of the -Enhlongana having been accomplished without mishap, the road began to -ascend and led through a wood, where the foliage was so dense that it -was quite impossible to see many steps in front. - -It will be observed that there were no less than twelve brooks crossed -in the interval between the march in the morning and the final bivouac -on Sunday night. These are all supplied more or less copiously with -water, even in the dry season; at least so said the guides. Although all -these streams have their origin quite close to the left bank of the -Enhlongana, yet they take a very devious course before they actually -join it; the last five, indeed, do not actually meet the river, but join -another stream a little to the west called the Ivuma, which unites -itself with the Black Umvolosi under the Ngome mountain. On this -watershed bamboo and mimosa jungles extend over an area of many square -miles. The species of bamboo which is thus found in such masses is not -so large as that one is accustomed to see in India, Ceylon, or the -Mauritius; and in the manner of its growth it is not unlike an asparagus -bed in the summer-time, hundreds of sprouts starting up from a single -root, and drooping in the most graceful curves over towards the ground. -In other respects the habit of the plant is similar to the Indian -bamboo. The night was now coming on; they had ridden at the very least -thirty-five miles, besides exploring kraals, examining prisoners, and -galloping after wounded game. All knew and felt instinctively that the -king was in the toils, that he could not have broken through the network -spread for him, and that it was a mere question of days as to when he -would be forced to surrender. The horses were indeed fatigued, but none -as yet were lame, while the three days' rations of biscuit and preserved -meats, with which they had started, were almost intact, so well had they -been husbanded by the men living on what they could shoot or obtain from -the kraals. - -On Sunday night (August 17th) the bivouac was made at the wild mountain -kraal of Unhlovani; some women, girls, and children were found here, who -at first were terribly frightened at the approach of the troopers, but -soon became reassured and friendly. Indeed Lord Gifford had a wonderful -faculty of ingratiating himself with the native races, and, after a -little persuasion, made one of the chief's daughters confess that, -although the king did not pass by this particular kraal, his attendants -did but two days since. She also added information of great value, -namely, that there were but two passes over the mountain they had now -reached, and that three of the king's wives had passed over the eastern -road the day before, carrying bundles and food. They further learnt that -this girl had no possible reason for sympathy for or loyalty to -Cetywayo, inasmuch as an old Zulu, who stated that she was his niece, -told them that the king, about two years ago, suspecting her father of -some pretended conspiracy, had had him smelt out and killed, and that -the children were at Cetywayo's disposal for sale or gift. On the -following morning (Monday) the horses were tolerably refreshed. They had -a good amount of forage given them, and a careful examination of each -animal showed that no back sinews were strained, and that no sore backs -had come on. A small supply of sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and a quantity -of mealies were given to them by the chief's daughters, whose hearts -their leader had won by explaining to them that the king's reign of -terror was at an end, and that henceforth they could marry any young -warrior they pleased. Bidding these Zulu friends adieu, the party were -in the saddle and on the road by five o'clock; and, ascending by a path -pointed out by some boys of the kraal, they came to a lofty ridge -dominating the valley below, and along which they pushed at a fast walk -for about an hour. From this ridge, which they were following as quickly -as the rugged nature of the narrow ledge would allow, the view was -magnificently grand. In the foreground, where they were compelled to -march in single file, and where a halt was made every now and then to -allow a straggler to come up, was a most inviting grove, with some of -the most charming types of tropical vegetation--the large-leaved, -blue-green anona, the purple _Grewia mollis_, and a number of pretty -little trees of the pine genus, that gave a Swiss character to the -scene. Having risen in their march to an elevation of 2000 feet, they -gazed down upon a fine view of the valley and its meandering rivers -below. The banks of each stream were marked by rows of tall reeds, and -the morning sun gleamed upon the mirror of the numerous backwaters, -while the distance revealed a series of woody undulations in the -direction of the Norwegian mission station of Enhlongana. Turning -sharply round a curve in the rocky path, they came suddenly upon a kraal -nestled in a most secluded and difficult spot, and here they found two -good-looking and very communicative Zulu girls, who fetched for them -some capital milk, and, after a little coaxing, told them that the -king's attendants had passed on that way the previous evening. These -women, as far as could be gleaned from the interpreter, had also -suffered some wrong and oppression, and whatever might be the political -feeling or loyal tendencies of Cetywayo's male subjects, it seemed -tolerably evident that the Zulu women would have no objection to a -change of government. These women at the kraal having shown them a short -cut down one side of the ridge, they hastened on in the hope of -overtaking some of the king's following, and their activity was soon -rewarded by discovering a couple of figures making their way hurriedly -along the lower ledge about a mile from them. One of the officers -volunteered to proceed on foot to cut these people off by a sort of -goat-path that seemed practicable down the side of the cliff; and, -accompanied by one trooper, half-sliding, half-falling, and with a -desperate scramble, the gallant fellow reached the next ledge at a point -where it was evident the travellers must pass. In ten minutes they came -up--a tall and stalwart Zulu with a bundle of assegais, accompanied by a -lad carrying a sort of canvas bag, something in shape like those in -which cricketers carry a bat and flannel suit. At the word "Halt!" -accompanied by a presented revolver, the couple of natives came to a -stand, and on being questioned declared they were messengers from the -chief Usibibo to a neighbouring kraal. As this story seemed rather -doubtful, it was determined to search the cricket-bag, and they were not -long in finding a trophy that almost repaid them for their many weary -miles of travel. Inside was a very handsome Henry rifle belonging to the -king, a small leather handbag, a number of cartridges, and a -hand-mirror! As such articles do not form the travelling appendages of -the ordinary Zulu, it was at once seen that they were getting hotter and -hotter on the trail. While these two were thus carefully examining the -captured spoil, the main party came winding down the kloof, having -during their absence come suddenly upon and surprised some more of -Cetywayo's attendants. A halt was immediately ordered, and the whole of -the prisoners examined one by one. - -Some of the people from the friendly kraal had, in the meantime, -overtaken the English horsemen, and their presence seemed to act as a -wonderful incentive to truth on the part of the prisoners. "Tell them," -said Lord Gifford, "that if they all speak the truth to our questions we -will do them no harm and let them go free." This had a wonderful effect, -and, coupled with a private communication of a confidential nature, -from the Zulus of the kraal, evidently to the effect that the white -man's intentions were not hostile to them, it caused the prisoners to -confess at once that they were of the king's following, and that the -elder was his personal attendant. From further information then obtained -from these people it was found that a mile further on, and hidden in a -cave, were a troop of Zulu girls and other attendants with goods and -chattels of the king. Guided by these not too faithful adherents of -Cetywayo, the troopers soon came to where these people were, and they -surrendered at once without any attempt to escape. These latter -prisoners appeared to have with them all the paraphernalia of the -monarch's toilet. There were gums, wax, and unguents for the hair and -face, brushes, combs, tweezers, scissors, and razors, together with old -pocket-books, almanacks, gaily-coloured pocket-handkerchiefs, and charms -and medicine, made of ground human teeth, and hair and skins of -reptiles, reminding one irresistibly of the ingredients of the witches' -cauldron in Macbeth. A silk pocket-handkerchief was recognized as -belonging to Colonel Degacher by the name in its corner, and this was -almost the only article that could not be considered rags or rubbish. -While Lord Gifford and his party were holding a solemn Court of Inquiry -over this burlesque of human vanity a loud whistle was heard, and coming -round the corner of the ledge, they saw Captain Hay and a Basuto -approaching at a smart canter. Hay, flinging himself from his panting -mount, and wiping the perspiration from his forehead, announced that he -was sent on by Major Barrow, to say that, having himself failed in -obtaining any traces of the king, and deeming it inadvisable to delay -the others in waiting for him to catch them up, he had decided to -increase Lord Gifford's little force with twenty Basutos, under their -leader, Jantzi, and to leave the pursuit of the king in his (Gifford's) -hands, while he (Barrow) made his way back to Clarke's camp. Meanwhile, -the arrival of these additions to the English force seemed to exercise a -marked influence upon the ladies of the king's household, who -immediately jumped at the conclusion that Cetywayo had fallen into the -hands of the soldiers. This had a wonderful effect, as they now -discovered from the women and attendants where the king had actually -slept the previous day, and armed with this information, they pushed on, -bivouacked for the night at the nearest kraal, and started before -daybreak on the following morning. From these prisoners they learnt, -moreover, several most important and invaluable pieces of information: -first, that the poor king was almost deserted; secondly, that he had -been obliged to abandon his horses; and, thirdly, that he was ill and -footsore. - -From Tuesday, the 19th, until Wednesday, the 27th, long marches were -incessant, and to describe the adventures that befell this small party -would be merely a repetition of those already told. The arrival of -Jantzi and the timely reinforcements of Basutos enabled Lord Gifford to -detach parties and hem in the fugitive monarch in a manner he could not -have effected with only nine men. It was now almost a point of honour -with Gifford that his men should succeed in capturing the king after the -way in which Barrow had entrusted the pursuit to him; and although he -knew that the king was pursued by Barton's Native Infantry, three -companies of the 57th, and 150 of Marter's Dragoons, he still felt -confident that his party alone were upon the right track. Marter he had -heard had gone back after losing three of his horses by lions in the -district through which he had passed; and his only fear now was that the -Mounted Police would take the wind out of his sails by a rapid move from -the Transvaal, and capture the king should he attempt to escape towards -the north. This he considered was not improbable, as he had news from -Villiers up to the 12th, saying that the tribes in his neighbourhood -were most unfriendly, and anxious to afford help to the king. Indeed -they had attempted an attack upon the mixed force organized by Villiers, -but had been easily beaten off. The movements of Gifford's party from -the 20th (Wednesday) up to the 26th, were not of special interest. They -marched and countermarched, the king never far in front, but always -managing to keep thirty or forty miles between himself and them, and -their information sometimes right and sometimes wrong, according to the -feelings of the natives whom they questioned. - -On the 25th they had tolerably authentic information that the king had -decided to come in to Lord Gifford, and surrender. Dabulamanzi, however, -a brave soldier although a double-dyed and scheming traitor, wrote or -sent to the king, telling him the English would hang or shoot him if he -surrendered. Dabulamanzi's object was most transparent. He hoped the -king might be killed or die in the wilds of starvation, as then he might -possibly be made the English nominee to the throne. - -Jumping over the interval between Monday, 18th August, and that day -week, during which the pursuer's movements merely resembled those of a -pack of harriers when "pussy" will keep dodging and doubling over the -same ground, we may come to the incidents which led up to the king's -capture. On Monday night, 28th August, scouts came in, who kept Gifford -and his party well in line with the king's refuge, and although their -horses were nearly dropping from fatigue they marched on Tuesday and on -through Tuesday night, until at daybreak on Wednesday they came to a -large kraal situated close to the Ngome forest, where it was known the -king had passed the previous night. This kraal was situated in a most -curious and out-of-the-way portion of the land that skirted the forest, -and, hidden as it was between two high kops, it might have been easily -passed unobserved had it not been for the information Lord Gifford had -been enabled to obtain. They approached this kraal at dusk, and found -that the king had left early in the morning. Some mats, two blankets, -and a snuff-box were recognized as belonging to the king. A couple of -lads were caught, who at first would tell nothing, but Lord Gifford, -assuming a stern air, ordered them both to be blindfolded, and said in -their own language, "Shoot first one and then the other!" A volley was -fired, and the ruse succeeded, for one boy had been led away out of -sight, and the other, thinking he was shot, exclaimed, "They will kill -me next; I will confess!" He accordingly said, if his life were spared, -he would conduct Lord Gifford to the king's hiding-place. - -What was to be done? The horses had had a terrible ten days' -"bucketing," the men were tired, hungry, and incapable of great fatigue; -but when their chief said, "My lads, we must do it to-night!" every -heart beat high with enthusiasm, and hunger, thirst, and fatigue, were -at once forgotten. That night-march, conducted by the Zulu boy, was an -event that will never be forgotten by those engaged therein. Scarcely -had the sun disappeared below the horizon when the devoted little band -started on their way, and the novelty of their position in the -wilderness could hardly be realized by those who were not used to the -country--the deep hum of hundreds of insect creatures signalling their -presence to each other, the lizards and poisonous snakes that crawled -across the path, the grim, gaunt figure of the beast of prey stalking -near the projecting rock, the yells of the monkeys, and the howl of the -wild dogs in the plain. Busy, silent, spectral-like forms passed in the -night, and, with a snort of terror or a growl of anger, moved out of the -path, scarcely liking to let pass such defenceless creatures as men seem -to be, yet apparently in awe of a certain presence which the brute -creation can never thoroughly overcome. Tiny creeping animals crackled -the crisp leaves as they scampered about in their fastnesses among the -bushes, and sniffed the scent of the strange intruder, while the -noiseless flapping of wings attracted for an instant the soldier's sight -as some ghostlike moving night-bird flew around and examined the strange -being that intruded in his domain. Having marched all Tuesday night, -with men and horses almost dead with fatigue, they arrived at daybreak -within four miles of the kraal where they were told the king was lying. -He was, they knew, footsore, weary almost unto death, and so despondent -that he would scarcely speak to those who still continued with him. Lord -Gifford, knowing the king could go no farther, deemed his capture more -certain in the dusk, and accordingly sent back a message to Major -Marter, who was known to be not far off, for him to come up on the -opposite side to that on which he and his men were posted. Where Lord -Gifford was posted was a splendid ambush, as they could see without -being seen, and during the day they noticed that an ox was killed and -preparations made for a feast. They also saw Marter's men appear on the -opposite heights, and then they knew that their task was virtually -accomplished. Gifford's ambush, it may be remarked, was on the -south-east side, while Marter had posted his men on the north-east. - -The king, it was subsequently learnt, saw Marter, but did not see -Gifford's men, and he considered that the cavalry could not approach -without his knowing. But Marter had wisely taken off his saddles, and -made his men leave their steel scabbards, advancing only with numnahs -and naked swords, and then, disappearing into the bush as if -disappointed in his quest, the major stole up quietly by a circuitous -route to the kraal, and surrounded the king's hut. The Native Contingent -were actually the men first up, as they were on foot, and could move -more rapidly than the horses. These fellows dashed at the kraal, saying -to the king's attendants, "The white man is here, you are caught!" Major -Marter then rode up quietly to the king's hut, inside the kraal, and -called upon Cetywayo to surrender. The king said, with a certain amount -of dignity, "Enter into my hut; I am your prisoner!" Major Marter, -however, declined this invitation, and prudently invited the king again -to come forth. This was the final picture! A Zulu kraal is, perhaps, a -refuge with as little of the picturesque or dignified as any known -habitation, yet the poor king, somewhat bloated in appearance, weak, -footsore, and evidently sick at heart, came out of his refuge with a -royal dignity which could not be surpassed, and when a too heedless -dragoon tried to touch him, said, in grave and majestic tones, "White -soldier, do not touch me--I surrender to your chief." - -Meanwhile Lord Gifford, to whom, beyond all doubt, the capture was due, -as he alone tracked down the quarry, galloped in, and the king expressly -said he surrendered to him, and not to Major Marter. With haughty gaze -and supremely regal though savage dignity, with head erect, and the mien -of a Roman Emperor, Cetywayo marched between the two lines of the 60th -Rifles to his tent, while the men, by the order of Lord Gifford, -presented arms to him as he passed. Such was the final scene of the Zulu -War. - - - - -NOTE I. - -NARRATIVE OF CETYWAYO'S WANDERINGS AFTER ULUNDI, TAKEN FROM HIS OWN -LIPS. - - -The following account of Cetywayo's movements after the battle of Ulundi -is of great interest as having been taken directly from his lips since -he has been confined in Capetown:-- - -"Cetywayo was not present at Ulundi; he was then at the kraal of a chief -called Umbonambi, which is situated about three miles north of -Kwamizekanze. One of Cetywayo's brothers, Uziwetu, in company with -Vijn, the captured German trader, had posted himself on the summit of -the Uncungi hill, and thus witnessed the conflict. Men, also, had been -placed on the look-out, and they brought the news of his army's defeat -to Cetywayo, who, at once crossing the neck of the Ntabankulu mountains, -retreated into the bush beyond, where he was joined by Umnyama and other -chiefs. Vijn and Uziwetu came to the king on the following day, but -after a short interview withdrew to Uziwetu's kraal of Ematina. Cetywayo -then retired to Ekushu Maileni, a kraal belonging to Umnyama, his prime -minister, which is on the banks of the river Isiqmeshi. Arriving here -three days after the engagement, he received news of the retreat of the -English army; this determined him to remain where he was; so he lived in -this kraal for nearly three weeks. - -"When information of Sir Garnet Wolseley's advance was brought to him, -Cetywayo despatched three chiefs to meet the General, and tell him that -the king was getting together his cattle, and would send them on to Sir -Garnet by his minister Umnyama, who was then personally engaged in -collecting the royal herds. These messengers, having fallen in with a -detachment of Clarke's column, were directed by them to Entonjaneni, -where they met Sir Garnet on his arrival. Vijn, in the meantime, had, by -the king's command, gone to Fort Victoria bearing a similar message, -with this addition, that after the cattle had been received by the -English commander he would give himself up. During Vijn's absence -Cetywayo moved on to Zonymana's kraal; here he was rejoined by Vijn, who -told him that the English were thoroughly determined to capture him. -Hereupon he sent Vijn a second time to Sir Garnet, with no definite -proposals, but merely a complaint that he could not give himself up to -any of the patrols, as he was apprehensive that he would be killed out -of hand. And there was some ground for this fear, as Dabulamanzi had -sent a message warning him that the English meant to put him to death, -and so he had better not yield himself up until the cattle had been -received and Umnyama made terms for him with the English commander. The -three first messengers, after leaving Entonjaneni, fell in with Umnyama -and the cattle near Ulundi, whither they betook themselves, in company -with that chieftain, instead of returning to Cetywayo. - -"The morning following that on which Vijn had been despatched on his -second embassy the king moved on to the river Mona, and slept that night -in a kraal upon its bank. On the next morning, having crossed the -stream, he was ascending the hill that rose on the other side when a -messenger from his brother Uziwetu came to tell him that soldiers on -horseback had just visited Zonymana's kraal. He therefore concealed -himself in the bush, and in no long time beheld the white men's scouts -on the opposite hill; thereupon he descended the ravine into the Mona -bush. The same evening he travelled as far as the Black Umvolosi, and -slept there. On the following day they had scarcely finished killing -and skinning a couple of oxen when scouts came in to say the white -horsemen were coming through the bush. The king then bade all the women -to escape as best they could, whilst he, going out of the bush, -concealed himself in the long grass on the top of a mound just above the -drift, whence he could clearly watch the patrol as they passed, and, -indeed, could hear them speak and laugh. As soon as they had passed, he -and the five or six followers, who were now all the retainers that -remained with him, journeyed further up the Black Umvolosi, and lived -for some days in various kraals. Remaining for three days in the same -kraal, he was joined by one of his wives. Finding the troops still on -the trail, he now struck off across country into the Ingome forest, -where news reached him that Umnyama had, instead of making terms for -him, promised Sir Garnet Wolseley to use his best endeavours to capture -the king and to deliver him up should he be found in any of the kraals -of his (Umnyama's) district. Cetywayo was much grieved at this, and -exclaimed, 'Why does Umnyama do this? Why does he act treacherously -towards me? Why does he not send a message to tell me to deliver myself -up?' He then moved on to the kraal of the Ingome, where four more women -rejoined him. Here he was taken by Lord Gifford and Major Marter, and -conducted by them back to Ulundi. On the way one of the women escaped -into the bush." - - - - -NOTE II. - -FATE OF CETYWAYO AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF ZULULAND. - - -Cetywayo was first taken to Sir Garnet Wolseley at Ulundi, and thence by -that General's orders was conveyed, under an escort commanded by Captain -Poole, R.A., to Capetown, where he still remains in an honourable -captivity, treated with all the respect and indulgence due to his -position. - -After Cetywayo's capture no further opposition of any sort was -encountered in Zululand, but the chiefs and people immediately assented -to the terms of peace proposed by Sir Garnet, by which the country was -split up into thirteen districts, each subject to its own chief, while -supreme over all these was placed a British resident. Native laws and -customs were to be respected, and European immigration was forbidden. -Mr. Wheelwright, for some considerable time a magistrate of Natal, was -appointed the first resident. - - - - -GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, ST. 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