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.