"Up and bestir yourself, Redgy!" cried George, entering the tent, which
Margetts shared with Wilhelm Baylen, a few days afterwards. "Cetewayo's
time was up last night, and he has made no sign. The order to march has
been given, and every one is already on the move. The mounted
volunteers are to cross first, and our horses must be taken down to the
Drift at once."
"I am sorry to say Wilhelm and I are to be left behind," said Margetts.
"It's an awful nuisance, but there's no help for it."
"Left behind!" repeated George. "Why, what is that for?"
"I don't know, I'm sure; but last night, after you had left, there came
an order that half a dozen of us would be required to stay on service
here. Green didn't know how to settle it to any one's satisfaction, and
it was determined at last to ballot for it. You are always in luck,
George, and so are Ernest and Hardy, and the Dutchman Moritz. But
Wilhelm and myself, and Vander Heyden--"
"Vander Heyden, eh?" interrupted George. "Has _he_ got to stay behind?
How did he take that?"
"Rather worse than we did," answered Margetts. "And we took it bad
enough. Here we shall have to kick our heels, while you are having all
the fun. By the way, what is to be done with Van Ryk? His trial took
place yesterday, but I haven't heard the result."
"He is to be hanged," said George. "Not only you and I, but Vander
Heyden and Moritz also swore positively to him. You'll have the
pleasure of being his executioners after we are gone."
"I am not sure of that," said Redgy. "They allow a fellow three weeks
now,--at least I suppose so,--and I should think you would have chawed
up Cetewayo before three weeks are past."
"Hardly that," said George, "though I daresay it won't be very long.
Well, I'm sorry for you, Redgy, but I can't stop here. You had better
get up and see us off."
The banks of the Buffalo presented a busy and animated scene that
morning. This river and the Tugela are often, in the later months of
the year, so reduced in volume that a horse may cross them without the
water rising higher than his knees. But in January, February, and March
they are generally in deep and rapid flood, and difficult, and, except
to experienced riders, impossible to ford. The mounted soldiers did
contrive to cross, and so did one battalion of the Native Contingent, at
a shallow spot a quarter of a mile or so up stream, and the 24th
regiment was got over on ponts. When these were in position to repel
any attack that might be made by the Zulus, the rest of the force was
conveyed across, and lastly the waggons.
This was the heaviest part of the work, and occupied a long time. The
waggons were dragged by the oxen to the edge of the bank; then the
cattle were outspanned, and driven into the river to swim across, while
the waggons were dragged on to the ponts by hand. This occupied the
entire day; but by nightfall they had nearly all been got across, and on
the following morning the march began.
"We are to move first on Sirayo's kraal," said George to Hardy, as they
grasped hands. "He is the fellow, you know, that made the foray into
Natal and carried off the women, whom he afterwards murdered. Cetewayo
wouldn't give him up. He is in a strong position, I am told, by the
Ingutu hill, about four miles from here."
"And he probably has a pretty large force with him," observed Hardy.
"Cetewayo is said to have sent his prime troops against our column.
Well, now, George, you'll see what these fellows fight like."
The order to move was presently given. The advance was necessarily slow
through the broken and perfectly wild country on the north side of the
Tugela; through which there was not so much as a path to be traced,
except where the waggon of some trader had passed, and deep ruts had
been left by the wheels. The ground was for the most part woodland,
broken, however, continually by ravines, with deep and high fissures
intersecting them--as difficult a country for a hostile force to
traverse as could well be imagined.
After an hour or two of tedious advance, they came on the banks of the
Bashee, a small mountain stream, running at the foot of the Ingutu
mountain. Presently Sirayo's kraal came in sight.
"There is the kraal, George," exclaimed Hardy, "and there are a lot of
Zulus ready to defend it. Now you may have a good sight of these
fellows in fighting array."
George looked up at the crags above him, and saw a number of
dark-skinned warriors, whose appearance was in the highest degree
striking. On their heads they wore head-dresses, apparently of
leopards' skin, surmounted by feathers, the dark plumes waving after a
most picturesque fashion against the sky. Round their wrists and ankles
they wore rings of ivory or burnished copper, while their waists were
encircled by the tails of wild animals bound together. On their left
arms they carried oval shields, large enough to protect the entire body
from neck to ankle, proof against the sharp and dangerous assegay, but
no protection from the rifle bullet. Their defensive weapons were
rifles and assegays; the latter long spears cut from the wood of the
tree which bears the same name, with an iron head and a barbed point,
and which these savages hurl with great dexterity and force. As soon as
the English soldiers came within hearing distance, they began to taunt
and jeer them after their barbaric fashion, inquiring, "What were the
white men riding there for?"
"What did they want in the land of the Zulus?"
"Were they looking out for some place to build a kraal in?"
"Would they ascend the rocks, and receive the greeting they were ready
to bestow upon them?" and the like.
Presently the order to advance was given, and the men of the 24th began
climbing the westward side of the hill, on which Sirayo's kraal stood.
A fire was instantly opened upon them by the Zulus, from behind the
various points of vantage where they had stationed themselves, by which
a dozen men or so were struck down. But in a short time, in spite of an
obstinate resistance, the enemy were driven out of the kraal, and fled
in confusion along the hillside, followed, as soon as they reached
tolerably level ground, by the cavalry, who cut down a considerable
number in the pursuit.
"So much for the first brush with these rascals!" exclaimed Hardy as he
sheathed his sabre. "Certainly these are gallant fellows, very
different from either the Ashantees or the Abyssinians. But,
nevertheless, savages, however brave, cannot stand against disciplined
troops, and this is only one more proof of it. Well, I suppose we shall
go no farther to-day."
Hardy's words were fully verified. Not only was the march not resumed
that day, but more than a week passed before the troops were again in
motion. It was found to be impossible for the waggons to make their
way, without constructing for them what really was a new road; or
rather, a road of some kind, the old waggon tracks being all but
useless. In some places the rains or the overflow of the brooks had
made the ground swampy, and here the wheels would suddenly sink up to
the axles, and it was only after long and severe exertion that they
could be extricated, to fall into a similar pitfall, perhaps, before
another ten yards of the way had been surmounted. So slow was the
progress, that it was not until the 20th of January that the column
resumed its route, through a bare country, hardly exhibiting a tree or
shrub, and reached on the evening of the same day, the base of the lofty
eminence known as Isandhlwana, or "the Lion's Hill."
"This is to be our camping ground, then?" said Ernest Baylen as the
order to halt was given. "Well, I have often heard of Isandhlwana hill,
and have seen it from a distance. It doesn't look a bad sort of a place
to pitch one's tent in."
"By no means," assented George, looking round him; "and it will be a
strong position too, if it is properly secured from attack. What say
you, Hardy?"
Hardy cast a scrutinising glance round him, and then expressed his
assent. It was indeed a striking scene. On the west side the rock rose
steep and rugged, and in some places precipitous, to a considerable
height, sloping downwards towards the east until it reached the
water-side. Ridges of rock and grassy mounds everywhere broke this
descent, so that it was rendered very difficult to traverse. On the
south there was a long platform of rock covered with grass overhanging
an extensive valley. The whole ground chosen for the camp was a kind of
sloping plateau, overlooked by an inaccessible eminence. The scene soon
became lively and picturesque, as the white bell-tents were pitched in
long rows, the fires lighted, and the men, in their scarlet jackets and
white helmets, gathered in groups round them, or moved hither and
thither on their various errands.
The companions, now reduced to four, for four had been left at Rorke's
Drift, sat down to their meal in a somewhat dissatisfied humour. They
were terribly tired of their long inaction, and it did not look as
though matters were going to be any more expeditious as regarded the
future. They had been more than ten days going five or six miles, and
the waggon tracks, it was said, were to be no better. At this rate,
when would they reach Ulundi? Not, at all events, until long after the
other two columns under Evelyn Wood and Colonel Pearson had come into
contact with the main force of the enemy, and probably reaped all the
laurels that were to be gained. They were rejoiced when they were
informed that Lord Chelmsford meant to send a force to reconnoitre on
the following morning, and Ernest Baylen and Moritz were to accompany
it.
"I envy you fellows," said Hardy. "Dartnell, who is to lead you, is a
smart officer, and by all accounts the Zulus are mustering pretty thick
in the neighbourhood, so that you will run the chance of some sharp
fighting."
"Lonsdale is to make a reconnaissance with the Natal force in the same
direction, I am told," said Ernest; "and Lord Chelmsford also means to
take a party out, they say. There will be plenty of fighting to-morrow,
I expect."
"Won't the withdrawal of all these detachments leave us rather a small
force to defend the camp with?" suggested George.
"Oh, they will fortify it, of course, the first thing to-morrow," said
Hardy. "I rather wondered that something of the kind wasn't done last
night, seeing that the enemy are in force near us. But the men were
very tired, and it was too dark to do much. But no doubt they will
laager the waggons and throw up breastworks as soon as it is light."
With the break of day, Moritz and Ernest, attended by Matamo, rode off
with Major Dartnell's force. And not long afterwards the Natal troops
followed, taking the road, as they afterwards learnt, to Matejan's Kraal
and Malatoko hill. But after this no further movement occurred during
the day. The men busied themselves with the routine of camp duty, or
were gathered in groups, talking, and smoking, and playing games. The
scene was romantic and lively. In the foreground were the white
bell-tents, making a forcible contrast to the scarlet of the uniforms
scattered about; farther off were the waggons belonging to the different
corps, each remaining in the place where it had been unpacked; and in
the background was the wild uncultivated landscape--forest, and mountain
ridge, and sandy ravine, and rocky boulder, mingled together in
picturesque disorder.
"They don't seem inclined to fulfil your prediction," observed George to
Hardy on the following morning, as they sat upon a large stone under the
shadow of the great Isandhlwana hill. "No order seems to have been
given for fortifying the camp. Look, there's Colonel Pulleine, who is
now in command, and has been so since Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Glyn
left. He is reading some letters, or papers of some kind. He does not
seem to have an idea that the camp wants fortifying."
"He ought to know best," said Hardy, "and for the matter of that, I
suppose he must have had the general's orders about it. And he, and we
also, have nothing to do but to obey. All I can say is, that if the
camp were to be attacked by any large force, as things now are, I don't
see how it could be defended. What is there to stop the Zulus? The men
might, of course, form into a square, if they had time to do it, with
the ammunition in the middle; and as long as powder and shot lasted, I
don't suppose the Zulus could break in. But look at them, scattered up
and down and everywhere. Suppose there came a sudden rush of these
black fellows from under cover, what time would the men have to form and
collect the ammunition? The niggers might pour in by hundreds and by
thousands, and cut our fellows up into small bodies, which might be
destroyed in detail."
"It looks so, certainly," said George; "but our officers are men well
used to campaigning, and, what is more, to campaigns with the natives.
They can't have overlooked this, unless they knew that there was no
risk."
"Well, all I can say is, no commanding officer under whom I have served
before ever left a camp undefended, as this is," rejoined Hardy.
"Here comes Colonel Durnford," said George, as a fine soldierly-looking
man rode up, attended by a force of mounted Basutos. "I knew he was
expected about this time. He is senior to Colonel Pulleine; I daresay
he will order the camp to be fortified. I suppose it would not be a
very long job, would it?"
"No, not to put it into such a state as would be sufficient to repel an
attack of these Zulus," assented Hardy. "Look at those waggons yonder.
The oxen are already inspanned. If they were simply drawn together in a
circle, the infantry and the ammunition collected and placed inside, the
Zulus couldn't force their way in against one-half of the numbers that
we have here. No, not if Cetewayo sent his whole army. Of course they
might pillage the rest of the camp, and drive off the oxen. But they
couldn't get inside,--not in a week,--and they would probably lose
thousands in making the attempt. Look at those two guns there, too! If
they were drawn in front of the waggons, they would shoot down any
attacking force--whole heaps of men at every discharge. And they
couldn't be taken under the fire of the laager. See there, Colonel
Dumford is giving some orders. I hope he sees the danger, and is going
to take some precautions against it. Let us move up nearer."
On approaching the spot, however, they found the colonel's thoughts were
otherwise occupied. News had just come in that the Zulus were
retreating in all directions, and would escape unhurt if they were not
pursued. The colonel therefore was on the point of going after them,
accompanied by his mounted Basutos and the rocket battery which he had
brought with him, leaving the camp once more under Colonel Pulleine's
command.
"I don't like it," said Hardy when this was reported to him. "I don't
see what there has been to make these Zulus retreat. It is certain that
they are in great force, and they can hardly be said to have been
attacked. I hope this retreat is not a mere feint to draw more men out
of the camp. I suppose, however, Lord Chelmsford must be returning to
it, and Colonel Durnford knows that he is close at hand."
As he spoke, Colonel Durnford and his Basutos went past at a rapid pace,
the rocket battery, under Captain Russell, following.
For some time after his departure there was no further movement in the
camp. But presently the idea spread, and gained ground, that an attack
from a large force of the enemy was to be looked for. The six companies
of the 24th were drawn up--three of them in extended order on the left
front, where the principal attack might be looked for, two more on the
side where the waggons were posted, while one company (that of Captain
Younghusband) was held in reserve. Close to the companies the artillery
was stationed, and a little farther off a detachment of the Native
Contingent.
About one o'clock heavy firing all round announced the approach of the
struggle, and presently the Basutos, who had encountered an overwhelming
force of the enemy, were seen falling back on all sides, pursued by
large bodies of Zulus, who came rolling like a sable wave over the crest
of the opposite hill. As soon as they came in sight, the artillery
opened upon them, mowing them down with terrible havoc. But they
continued to advance, hesitating now and then when the fire from the
guns came among them, then rushing on more resolutely than ever.
Presently they came near enough for the fire of the 24th to open, and
this for the time checked their advance. Desperate as the courage of
the blacks was, they could not face the storm of lead thus showered upon
them.
"They won't stand this very long, Rivers," said Hardy, as they watched
the battle from the flank, on which the volunteers were stationed.
"They have wonderful pluck, certainly; but, unless the ammunition fails,
it is impossible they can approach nearer. Even now I see signs of
wavering among them. We shall soon be at their heels, I expect.
Merciful Heaven!" he exclaimed a moment afterwards in an altered voice,
as, chancing to turn round, he caught sight of some object behind him.
"The Zulus have got into our rear! It is all over with us!"
Rivers glanced round, and a thrill of dismay shot through him, as he
beheld the head of a Zulu column making its way round the precipitous
hill in the rear of the camp, and pouring on in large and
ever-increasing volumes to attack the English from behind. At the same
moment the assailing force in front caught sight of their countrymen,
and rushed forward with redoubled fury. Struck with terror, the native
contingent broke its ranks and fled, leaving a wide gap in the fighting
line, through which the black warriors burst like a raging torrent, and
the whole camp in a moment became a scene of wild confusion. The
various groups of white soldiers were cut off from their ammunition and
from one another, presenting the appearance of an island here and there,
encompassed by the overwhelming flood of the enemy. A fierce rush
carried the guns, which had hitherto inflicted such deadly loss on their
host. A desperate attempt was made by those in charge of them to force
their way through the enemy. But the gunners were assegayed on the
limbers, and the drivers in their seats. One gun was upset, the other
was dragged off by the wounded horses. All was confusion, distraction,
despair.
"Ride for it, George!" shouted Hardy. "The only hope is to reach Lord
Chelmsford, if he is anywhere near at hand, as I hope he is, and bring
him to the rescue. Some of our fellows may hold out long enough for him
to come up. Ay, that is right!" he exclaimed, turning on his saddle as
they galloped off; "there is Captain Younghusband retiring against the
steep side of the hill. He, at all events, will hold out a long time
there. All depends on how near Lord Chelmsford may be."
Urging their horses to the utmost speed, they broke their way through
some scattered groups of combatants, and had got clear of the camp among
some bushes, when they came upon two horsemen riding, at the top of
their speed, in the opposite direction. George recognised them as
Ernest Baylen and Matamo.
"Stop, Ernest!" he shouted; "do not make for the camp. The Zulus have
broken in there. Where are our fellows? Where is Lord Chelmsford?"
Baylen reined in his horse. "Broken into the camp!" he exclaimed; "the
Zulus! Then all is lost! Dartnell's men are dispersed or killed.
Moritz has been assegayed. I was riding to bring help."
"Where is Lord Chelmsford?" interposed Hardy. "Is he anywhere near at
hand?"
"No, miles off, I believe, but I can't say where."
"Then there is nothing for it but to make for Rorke's Drift. We may
warn them in time to prepare for attack."
He was just turning his horse when half a dozen Zulus came rushing up,
hurling their assegays as they advanced. One of these grazed George's
cheek. Another pierced Ernest in the chest, who fell on the instant;
while a third mortally wounded Matamo's horse. The Bechuana leaped from
his saddle, and was instantly struck down by a blow from a club. George
cut down the man whose assegay had narrowly missed him, and Hardy shot
two more with his revolver. The others drew back for the moment; and
the two Englishmen, taking advantage of their hesitation, galloped off.
"To the left, to the left!" shouted Hardy; "make for the thicket there.
I know a path through it that runs down to the Buffalo. The pursuit is,
fortunately, in another direction."
In a few minutes they reached the cover of the trees, followed only by
the three or four Zulus from whom they had just escaped.
Once inside the wood they were tolerably secure. Elated by the signal
success they had obtained, the news of which spread like wildfire in all
directions, the Zulus were hurrying to witness the overthrow and
slaughter of the white men, and get their share of the spoil, and the
fugitives did not encounter a single enemy, while their pursuers were a
long way in the rear. Hurrying along a path, which Hardy had often
traversed when a resident of the country, in half an hour's time they
found themselves on the banks of the Buffalo, at a part which was
entirely out of sight of either friends or enemies.
"Will our horses carry us across?" asked Hardy as he looked at the
swollen and roaring stream, which at that point ran with extraordinary
speed.
"They must," said George. "Not our lives only, but those of our friends
at Rorke's Drift depend upon it."
"You are right. We must cross at once."
The horses, which had somewhat recovered their wind during the passage
through the wood, were extremely unwilling to enter the stream; and it
was only by sharp use of the spur that they could be compelled to breast
it. For about a third of the distance the water was comparatively
smooth, and they made their way, though with difficulty. But as they
approached the mid-current they found its force quite irresistible.
Both horses were swept down the stream, and soon lost all power of
resistance. George threw himself from the saddle, and, striking out
with all his force, broke clear of the current and slowly made his way
to the shore, while his horse, which had ceased to struggle, was carried
down the torrent. George scrambled with difficulty up the bank, and,
looking round for his companion, saw him a hundred yards lower down,
clinging to the long, projecting branch of a large yellowwood. His
horse too had disappeared, and he himself appeared to be quite
exhausted. Shouting to him to hold on to the branch, George hurried to
the spot, and, climbing into the tree, was able to approach him near
enough to throw one end of his belt to him, while he drew him upwards by
the other. After a quarter of an hour of great peril and exertion, they
both stood safe on the farther shore of the Buffalo.
"We are saved, Rivers," said Hardy as soon as he had recovered his
breath sufficiently to thank his preserver; "but I am afraid not in time
to warn our friends at Rorke's Drift. We have come direct enough so
far, no doubt. But Rorke's Drift lies some considerable distance off,
and I am so much exhausted that it would take me a long time to reach it
on foot. I am afraid you are not much better."
"Hush!" said George; "I hear some one moving close at hand. We have
lost our revolvers, but we still have our sabres. Can these Zulus have
followed us?"
They drew cautiously back under the cover of the reeds and rushes, and
listened intently. Presently the tramp of horses' feet was distinctly
heard, and two mounted volunteers came riding by at an easy trot,
attended by two or three natives.
"It is some of our own fellows," exclaimed George; "how fortunate! By
all that is lucky," he added a moment afterwards, "it is Redgy himself,
and Wilhelm Baylen! Hullo, Redgy, what has brought you here? Stop a
moment, and take us with you."
Margetts reined in his horse in great surprise. "I may return your
question, I think," he said. "What brings you here? And, good heavens!
what a condition you are in. You have swam the river, and are covered
with blood besides! What has happened?"
"It will take a long time to tell that," answered George, "and we must
not stop here to tell it. Every moment is of incalculable importance.
Give me your horse, Redgy. I think I can contrive to sit in the saddle,
and Wilhelm must ride by me. You and Hardy must make your way as well
as you can on foot. He will tell you all about it."
He spurred the horse to its speed, and he and Baylen were soon lost to
sight.