FOOTNOTES:

[172] It was probably after this forest that Tshaka named his great kraal Dukuza, whose site was exactly where the town of Stanger now stands.

[173] The Natives of Zululand and Natal may be divided into three great ethnic groups: amaLala, abeNguni and amaNtungwa. Of these, the amaLala or Lalas were probably the earliest settlers, followed by the abeNguni, and then the amaNtungwa. The last two have been in the country for at least 350 years. The amaLala are now to be found chiefly in Natal proper.

[174] A Zulu idiom signifying burial.

[175] Undisturbed in any way, as required by custom, the grave was found by the troops in 1906, to be overgrown with grass and weeds. There was around it a grove, some 200 yards in length and oval in shape. Immediately round the grove was a rough fence of Kaffir-boom trees. None of the trees in the plantation were more than 25 feet high. Owing to the grass not having been burnt or cut, it was naturally infested with snakes, among which, it was believed, was that (i.e. spirit) of the departed monarch. As, year by year, the grass in the vicinity was burnt, it devolved on the care-taker to make a 10-foot fire-break round the grove by digging away the grass. The grave consisted of a mound, 12 feet long by 10 feet broad and 15 inches high. On top of it lay one or two broken kambas (clay pots without handles), and parts of the original ox-waggon.

[176] This officer (Brev. Lieut.-Col. B.M.R.) had served as follows: South African War, 1878-9—Zulu Campaign. Medal with clasp. South African War, 1899-1902—Operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at Rietfontein and Lombard's Kop. Defence of Ladysmith, including sortie of 7th December, 1899, and action of 6th January, 1900; operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October, 1900.

In command, West Australian Mounted Infantry—Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 30th November, 1900, to 31st May, 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October, 1901.

Despatches, London Gazette, 17th and 25th April, 1902, and 4th December, 1903. Queen's medal with four clasps. C.M.G.; D.S.O. The Official Army List, Wyman & Sons, London, 1911.

[177] Cd. 3027, 1906, p. 12.

[178] Son of the late loyal Chief Zibebu.

[179] The convoy found the Buffalo River full and experienced trouble in fording the waggons. Every precaution was taken when travelling in Zululand. A lager was formed each night with the waggons, and a light barbed-wire fence erected 50 yards therefrom. The force stood to arms at 4 a.m. every day.

[180] The rebels occupied a position from which every movement by Mackay's force, ever since it left the magistracy, could be plainly seen. They, moreover, had two other outlooks which were visible from the magistracy.

[181] This is the district whose Chiefs had, but a few days before, offered their services against Bambata and Sigananda.

[182] Cd. 3027, p. 67.

[183] Cd. 3027, p. 67.

[X.]

MOBILIZATION OF ZULULAND FIELD FORCE.—MANSEL ENGAGES THE ENEMY AT BOBE.

The news that Sigananda had, with practically the whole of his tribe, together with sections of two other adjoining tribes, espoused Bambata's cause, commonly said at the time to have Dinuzulu's full support, had hardly been made public before offers of substantial assistance were received from the Cape Colony and the Transvaal. The Prime Minister of the former telegraphed on the 17th April: "Extremely sorry to hear of your further Native trouble; can we be of assistance, you may depend on our ready help in anything that it is possible for us to undertake." The reply was: "Many thanks for your telegram. Should assistance be necessary, we shall not hesitate to ask your help."

On the 23rd April, the following message was received from the Lieutenant-Governor of the Transvaal (Sir Richard Solomon, G.C.M.G., K.C.B.)[184]: "Please inform your Ministers that, with the High Commissioner's warmest approval, Transvaal Government offers to send to assistance of Government of Natal, whenever required, 500 Transvaal Volunteers fully armed and equipped, and offers to maintain them while in the field." To this the following reply was sent: "Ministers beg to express their very grateful thanks for the most generous offer made by the Transvaal Government, which they gladly accept. They beg me to assure your Government that they highly appreciate the spirit which has prompted this offer." On the 25th it was added: "The regiment we have offered will be a mounted one, and will be kept up to its full strength."

The Prime Minister, Cape Colony, wired again: "I have thought that possibly a battery of six Maxim guns, fully equipped and manned by Cape Mounted Riflemen, might be of service to you in the present campaign. Government, Cape Colony, willing therefore to place these at your disposal, fully manned, equipped and with pack saddles and mules, of course free of all cost to your Government. Should you be short of signallers, we can also supply them fully equipped. I merely make these special suggestions as a part of my original offer of general assistance." To this it was replied: "We are deeply grateful for the repetition of your generous offer of assistance, but are advised that at present we have sufficient forces in the field to deal with the Rebellion in Zululand. We shall certainly avail ourselves of your offer should the insurrection spread to other parts of the Colony."

On the 8th June, the Government, referring to the foregoing, asked the Cape Government for a battery of six Maxim guns. Within a week, the guns, fully manned and equipped, under the command of Captain M. Humphery, C.M.R., together with twenty signallers, under Lieutenant R. Stopford, C.M.R., were in Natal and proceeded at once to take the field.

The offer of the Transvaal having been accepted, it became necessary for that Colony to issue a proclamation, in which, inter alia, it was made known that, as it was "desirable in the interests of this Colony, that a Volunteer Corps, formed under the Volunteer Corps Ordinance, 1904, should be called out for service in this Colony, and in the said Colony of Natal," and as the Lieutenant-Governor of the Transvaal had "accepted the service of certain persons desiring to be formed into a Volunteer Corps," and such Corps had been lawfully formed and designated the First Transvaal Mounted Rifles, therefore the said Corps "shall be and is hereby required to serve within this Colony or in the said Colony of Natal."

The formation of the corps, 500 strong, took effect as from 26th April. It was placed under the command of Lieut.-Col. William Frank Barker,[185] with Captain Walter Jardine as Adjutant.

Great care was taken in the selection of the other officers, non-commissioned officers and men. It was decided to accept volunteers from several existing mounted volunteer corps, in order that each such unit should participate in the campaign. The corps was accordingly constituted as follows:

Officers.W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s and Men
A Squadron, Imperial Light Horse799
B " South African Light Horse587
C " Johannesburg Mounted Rifles and Scottish Horse8122
D " Northern, Eastern, and Western, Mounted Rifles582
Maxim gun, Searchlight, Transport and Medical Detachments415
Regimental Staff45
——
33410

Hon. Capt. J. Peet, J.M.R., was appointed Quarter-master, and Lieut. W. Bruce, Western Mounted Rifles, Signalling Officer.

The unit was mobilized on the 25th April, 1906. Notwithstanding the fact that many difficulties had to be contended with,[186] the T.M.R. left Johannesburg for Dundee, complete in every detail, on the 26th. The mobilization had been carried out in a most effective manner and with such speed by Colonel C.J. Briggs, Commandant of the Transvaal Volunteers, Major M.C. Rowland, Controller and Paymaster, also officers, n.c.o.'s and men connected with the supply of arms and equipment, clothing, transport, pay, etc., as well as Major J.W.F. Lamont, R.F.A., Chief Staff Officer, Transvaal Volunteers, that the corps was obliged for several days to await orders at Dundee.

In addition to all the expenses being defrayed by the Transvaal Government, the corps drew all supplies, except rations in the field, from the Transvaal Volunteer Headquarters, Johannesburg.

The Natal Ministers received throughout the Rebellion the fullest support, as well as sound practical advice, from the Governor (who happened to be a Colonel in the Imperial army). Finding that the situation at Nkandhla had assumed a much graver aspect by reason of Sigananda's unexpected defection, they resolved to grapple with the problem on lines commensurate with its scope and magnitude. The plan of at once driving through the districts contiguous or adjacent to that of Nkandhla was adopted. In carrying it out, the Northern District Mounted Rifles were to advance from Babanango; Royston's Horse and the Transvaal Mounted Rifles from Empandhleni Magistracy; and the Natal Police Field Force, with a strong detachment of the Durban Light Infantry, from Fort Yolland. The drifts over the Tugela were to be guarded by the Umvoti Mounted Rifles, whilst a strong force of the Natal Carbineers was to be stationed at Helpmakaar to keep a powerful Chief Kula in check on the drive taking place.

The Active Militia were, at the same time, mobilized throughout Natal; many of the units, however, remained at their respective headquarters to keep the Natives in check during the proposed movements. The First Reserves in various towns and districts were also mobilized, as it was not impossible that the Natives, seeing so large a body of troops had crossed into Zululand, might rise and attempt to massacre women and children. Much of the intelligence received at this time was believed to indicate that a coup of that kind was being contemplated.

The moment had arrived when the possibility of a universal rising in Zululand, as well as in Natal, had to be faced and provided against. If one Chief, without specific grievance of his own, was ready to associate himself with those who had taken up arms against the Government, it was probable others would do the same on a fitting opportunity arising. As for the rest of the Native population, it seemed certain that an isolated Chief here and there would remain loyal with his people, though the great bulk would watch events and go with the tide whichever way it happened to flow. The Chief's personality, however, was not the material factor, for, owing to various reasons which need not be set forth here, his influence, in many cases, had been so undermined, that members of his tribe remained loyal or not to him as it happened to suit their individual fancy. The result was, that although the majority, or even the whole tribe, decided to rebel, the Chief would personally attach himself to the Government. Thus, the mere fact of his professing to be loyal was no guarantee whatever that the tribe would follow his example. Generally speaking, his influence proved too weak to prevent a few and sometimes many of his best fighting men from joining the rebels. This was the state of affairs in many directions, especially in Zululand and the eastern parts of Natal, and defections would have gone on to a greater extent than they did, until every tribal unit had been 'hollowed out,' had not the Government at this critical moment acted as vigorously and comprehensively as it did.

Colonel (now Brigadier-General Sir Duncan) McKenzie, who had been in command of the column that operated in the south-western portions of Natal, was placed in command of the combined forces, including the Transvaal Mounted Volunteers and the section of the Natal Police called out for active service in Zululand. His appointment took effect on the 28th.

COLONEL (now BRIGADIER-GENERAL) SIR DUNCAN McKENZIE,
K.C.M.G., C.B., V.D.

The composition and strength of the command, designated the "Zululand Field Force," will be found in Appendices III. and IV. The troops under Leuchars, who remained in Natal, appear in the same Appendices.

The position of Chief Staff Officer was conferred on Colonel Sir A. Woolls-Sampson, K.C.B., of the Transvaal.[187] The other Staff appointments were made by McKenzie from the force under his command.

The Commissioner for Native Affairs was appointed Political Agent, with authority to represent and act for the Governor and Supreme Chief under martial law in all political matters that might have to be dealt with summarily in Zululand. He was empowered to enquire into the conduct of Chiefs, tribes or Natives who had received and harboured Bambata, or otherwise assisted him, or committed crimes requiring to be summarily disposed of, with the object of suppressing the Rebellion, and to award such punishment as was fitting, provided that all cases, in which sentence in excess of two years' imprisonment was passed, were referred to the Governor for confirmation.

McKenzie proceeded to Dundee on the 30th, and assumed command of his force on the following morning.[188]

The column at Dundee left that place on the morning of the 3rd May, with a convoy of 150 ox-waggons loaded with provisions. The route followed was Laffnie's Drift, Nqutu, Fort Louis and Itala. As the roads and drifts were poor, progress was slow. Wherever a halt was made for the night a square lager was formed by means of the waggons. The country traversed was found almost deserted. Newly-made assegais were discovered at a few kraals in Zululand. The magistracy at Empandhleni was reached on the 8th.

Whilst this column was on the march, developments of an important nature were occurring on the south-eastern side of the Nkandhla forests, resulting in the first serious encounter with the enemy's forces, then, as has been seen, made up of men of Bambata, Sigananda, Ndube, and Mpumela's tribes. By this time, a number of men of other tribes had also joined.

When Mansel reached Fort Yolland on the 29th April (11 a.m.), he found Capt. W. Alexander, D.L.I., had already come in from Eshowe with a convoy of waggons escorted by a company of D.L.I. and a troop of N.M.R. The convoy had narrowly escaped an ambuscade, no doubt devised by the raiders from Nkandhla to be referred to later.

It so happened that Chief Ndube, after having turned his men out to capture Bambata as directed by the Magistrate, and after subsequently receiving an order from Mr. Saunders prohibiting entry of Sigananda's ward until Mansel had arrived to take charge of the operations, lost many members of his tribe by their becoming rebels, primarily, it would seem, to ensure their stock from being looted by Bambata. Bambata and his allies were, at the time, held in check by nothing whatsoever. They were able to raid and range about over wide expanses of country occupied by people as loyal as could be expected. These raids had already taken place in Ndube's ward, followed by others in those of Makubalo and Mfungelwa. Ndube's men, therefore, were obliged to face the alternative, either of being killed outright and losing their stock whilst remaining loyal to a Government which had, up till then, been unable to give them support, or to join the rebels and, at any rate for the time being, save everything. It is not surprising the latter alternative was seized by many. Terrorization of this kind is one of the principal, though not sufficiently considered reasons, why Bambata was able so speedily to mass together the formidable force he did. With his men melting away hourly, Ndube perceived he could no longer remain loyal without serious risk to his own life and property. He reported what had happened to Leuchars at Krantzkop, and asked for advice. Leuchars told him to move off with his cattle and the loyal portion of the tribe if he felt in danger. He accordingly fled to Eshowe with a number of followers on the night of the 22nd, whilst some of the women took refuge in Natal, near the Tugela. Many of his people drove their stock into Mfungelwa's ward, which adjoins that of Ndube on the east. These cattle and others belonging to Mfungelwa's people were what Sigananda and Bambata's men raided on the night of the 28th and following morning. A number of the owners, who happened to be dissociated from the Ndube-ites, followed the raiders back to Nkandhla and pleaded for the restoration of their stock. In many cases, the applications were granted, the cattle being returned after a forfeit of one large beast per herd had been levied, "owing to its having set foot on ground in the hallowed vicinity of the grave." The decision to raid at that moment was probably precipitated by knowledge of the fact that Mansel was moving to Fort Yolland.

An amusing incident occurred about this time. Mfungelwa had been directed that, should Bambata be seen attempting a further raid, all it was necessary to do was to raise a white flag on a hill near his kraal, a couple of miles from, and within view of, the camp. This would be taken as an alarm, when assistance would be rendered. On the following Wednesday, the flag was observed hoisted early in the morning. The whole force, numbering 350, stood to arms and moved out at a smart pace to engage the enemy. Upon coming up to the flag and clamouring for particulars as to the whereabouts of the raiders, Mfungelwa quietly replied that there was no enemy—in setting up the flag, he had done so merely as an experiment, it appearing desirable to rehearse the part he had to play in case of actual necessity!

The rebel scouts exposed themselves daily on Komo hill, some five miles to the north-west; from this point, the movements of the troops at Fort Yolland were easily perceivable. A reconnaissance was accordingly made to Mfanefile's store at Maqonga, some three miles south of Komo, when general information as to the rebels and the country they were in was obtained.

By way of checking the enemy's encroachments, Mansel decided to make another reconnaissance, this time in force and towards Komo.

He moved out at 6 a.m. on the 5th, each man taking two days' rations and 150 rounds of ammunition. Komo was reached at 9 a.m. After an hour's halt, Mansel decided to descend, viâ Sibudeni peak, into the valley lying to the immediate south of the Nkandhla forests. This valley, or rather series of valleys, was known to be in the occupation of the enemy; such area (including the grave) being, indeed, their headquarters.

As the intention was simply to make a reconnaissance, it was deemed unnecessary for it to be governed by any definite, pre-conceived plan. Hence the commanding officer, when he started from Komo, did not issue instructions as to what his objective was. Thus the men were marched through parts of the forest at Sibudeni and into the valley to a point within three or four miles of the rebel headquarters, without any clear conception as to what was to be done on getting within striking distance. The movement, as will presently be seen, proved an extremely hazardous one.

The strength of the force and its order of march, on leaving Komo, was: 30 Mounted Infantry, D.L.I., with 20 N.M.R. (Major S.G. Campbell); 86 Nongqai (Z.N.P.) (Major C. Fairlie); 200 Natal Police; 80 Natal Naval Corps (Commander F. Hoare); 80 D.L.I. (Capt. R.L. Goulding), and a levy of about 400 men, armed with shields and assegais (Chief Mfungelwa). Total: 410 Europeans, 86 Zululand Native Police, 400 Native Contingent. Of the Europeans, 250 were mounted, 160 unmounted; the Native forces were almost entirely unmounted.

Passing Sibudeni store (looted, it will be remembered, some days previously by the rebels), the road entered a small portion of the forests. Here fresh meat was discovered, with signs of a fire near by. Three or four assegais, too, with small rags attached containing medicine of some sort, were seen, stuck in the ground by the rebels in accordance with their superstitious ideas.

Progress now became slow, owing to occasional sniping by rebels concealed in the bush. Those who were riding dismounted and proceeded in half-sections, each man leading his horse. The Nongqai extended a few yards into the forest on either side. The infantry, after fixing bayonets, marched in single file on either edge of the track, officers in the centre. By the time the open country that forms the summit of a ridge called Bobe was reached, the infantry, owing to the heat and absence of water, were beginning to show signs of fatigue. After a halt, to give the rear time to close up, the force descended by a footpath into the valley referred to, moving in single file.

The head of the column, keeping the footpath, passed on through neck marked C on the plan to knolls D and E. Another halt of about half an hour was made on the western slope of E.

During the interval, thirty mounted men were sent to burn a kraal (Mlibo's) a few yards off on the left. Lieut. A.H.G. Blamey, with a few N.M.R., then advanced to knoll F to reconnoitre. The time was about 3 p.m. Moving up the eastern incline, and when about 350 yards from the base of E, the scouts came upon about 300 rebels lying perdu among the weeds and grass of an old garden, a hundred yards to the right of the path. They were not seen until they simultaneously rose to charge. As they got up, they shouted "Usutu! Usutu!" at the top of their voices, and dashed at the scouts who, after quickly dismounting and firing a few shots, fell back to the rest of the guard and Nongqai at E as best they could. At the first shot, the Nongqai immediately lined themselves in regular order on the right, along a contour of E about half-way down the hill, and, with the N.M.R. and mounted infantry—the latter having galloped up from the kraal they were burning on hearing the fire and ranged themselves on the left—opened a heavy fusillade on the enemy as he came rushing through a hail of bullets, the bullets which up till that moment he believed would not 'enter.' Each ran stoopingly with shield before his face, as if trying to ward off the bullets, whilst a tshokobezi badge tossed wildly about his head. They came on with great dash, directing their attack mainly at the left front of the position. It was at that point that most of them fell. In one or two instances, the Nongqai, who behaved with conspicuous coolness and pluck, were obliged to resort to their bayonets.

Finding themselves beaten at the first rush, they broke, large numbers making down the steep and slightly wooded watercourses on either side of the kraal marked "Manyunda." Another section disappeared down the northern slopes that converge at F, where they concealed themselves, in the vicinity of Nkunzana river. A number were shot as they ran, especially on the south-western slopes.

The Natal Police, when the action began, were quickly pushed up to support at D, about 300 yards from E, from where a heavy and effective fire proceeded for the few moments the enemy was visible. The Navals and the D.L.I. came forward on hearing the fire. The former, at the time, were on the Bobe side of the neck leading to D, i.e. at B, some few yards up the incline. From such position, a Maxim they had with them opened at long range, proving effective. The D.L.I., still further up Bobe at A, being rear-guard, did not come into action at this stage.

BOBE
Scale of yards
0 100 200 400 600 800
REFERENCE
A, B, C, &c., see text
Footpath Native kraal
Route taken by troops
Nkandla forests lie on immediate right and right front of the map

After the rebels had dispersed, the column moved forward and began to close up about 300 yards west of F. Suddenly another body of rebels, about 400 strong, was seen moving up the Nkunzana, as if making for the rear of the rear-guard, and therefore attempting a belated encircling movement. Possibly Mansel's extraordinarily long column and its abnormally slow progress, was the reason why the enemy's attack on the rear-guard failed as it did. The front impi had come into action before the rear one (owing to the very high ground Mansel's rear-guard was still descending) could attempt the usual enveloping tactics. As this body reached a kraal on the north side of Bobe, it was joined by a company that had been scouting for some days on Nomangci and which, hearing the fire, had come unsolicited to help. The impi then advanced towards the rear-guard (D.L.I.). Not many minutes before, the officer in charge of the guard had had occasion to send Mfungelwa and his force to capture stock and burn kraals on the left, consequently he was under the impression the Natives he saw were the Native contingent, until, examining with field-glasses, he noticed that none wore the usual Turkey-red and calico badge. The enemy was thereupon fired into by the guard and N.N.C.; without charging, although firing a few shots, he broke and disappeared down the slopes up which he had just come.

The column again moved on, only to turn sharp left to cross the Halambu still further below. The enemy followed. The rear-guard was now supported by mounted men, who, firing on the impi in the direction of F, were themselves fired on from the Nkunzana by eighteen rebels stationed at that point. After pretending to move on to join the column at Halambu, the mounted men suddenly returned and, finding the rebels in force in the open at short range, shot down a number. Still another section showed themselves near Nkolotshane hill, about two miles off to the south-west. They opened ineffectively at long range.

It was now late in the afternoon. Owing to the exhausted condition of the men, the desirability of camping on the left side of Halambu was considered, but, because of the long, dry tambookie grass thereabout, which could easily have been set alight, and to most of the ammunition being spent, Mansel decided to make for Fort Yolland.

Needless to say, the return march, with the infantry in so exhausted a condition, was extremely difficult. Nor was this to be wondered at. They had already walked twenty miles over rough country, in heavy order.

The enemy dogged the troops for miles, constantly sniping at them in the moonlight: nor did he desist until the main road near Mfanefile's store had been fairly reached. Some of the infantry did not get to camp until midnight.

The reconnaissance was carried out in an apparently loose and irregular manner. Absence of plan has already been noticed. This omission, with the enemy known to be massed in the vicinity of Cetshwayo's grave, was evidently an error of judgment. Conducted as the reconnaissance presumably was with the object of acquiring information, it actually obtained none that was not already known. Although two days' rations were carried, no decision was come to as to where the column should camp for the night. This involved taking heavily-laden infantry over abnormally long and difficult tracts of country, so much so that it was owing only to their sterling qualities and perseverance that they were able to march as they did. When the first attack had been repulsed, there was an oversight in not pursuing and severely punishing the rebels. Had this been done, it might have had something of the demoralizing effect that the Mome had later on.

All units and ranks behaved with much gallantry, repelling attacks that might easily have proved calamitous.

The principal meed of praise must be awarded to the N.M.R., M. Inf., D.L.I., and last, though not least, the Nongqai, owing to whose coolness and steadiness, the first and principal success was mainly due.

When Blamey and his troop were obliged to fall back, a number of the horses would not let the men mount, consequently with the enemy in hot pursuit 100 yards away, they had to make off on foot. "My horse," says Blamey, "would not let me put my foot in the stirrup, so I vaulted into the saddle. On turning the horse round, two rebels threw their assegais at me. I shot one and then galloped off." He had not gone far, however, before he came across Corpl. Acutt on foot, whose rifle had jammed. The man managed to fire and then took to his heels, the leading rebel five to ten yards in rear. Whilst on the gallop, Blamey, catching Acutt up, offered him his stirrup-leather to hold on to; instead of seizing it, the man put up his arm, asking for help. On this, Blamey, dropping his revolver, grabbed the arm and, dragging the man over the saddle with much difficulty, rejoined the troop at E.

The casualties were: Among the rebels, sixty to seventy killed, with many wounded; among the troops, none killed; one N.M.R. slightly wounded; one Z.N.P. severely wounded and another wounded. Seven horses were also wounded.

Mfungelwa's men took no part in the fighting, though they captured 300 cattle and many goats, besides destroying several rebel kraals.

The impi that first attacked at F was made up of Mavalana, Hayelwengwenya, Felapakati, and Mbokodwebomvu regiments, the first-named being the youngest and of an average age of 20 to 23. It was Mavalana that led and threatened most at E. The body that advanced up the Nkunzana and threatened the rear-guard, was under the personal command of Bambata. The eighteen who had guns were commanded by Ndabaningi, Sigananda's principal son, who, though considerately wearing a white shirt, escaped being hit. All the enemy's shooting was bad. Those seen near the hill Nkolotshana late in the afternoon, were merely elderly men who had congregated from various kraals. Altogether about 1,000 of the enemy were seen during the day.

Inconclusive and unsatisfactory as the foregoing proceedings were from a military point of view, the engagement proved remarkably decisive from that of the rebels. The reason for this is not hard to guess, viz. the clear demonstration that had been given of the utter inefficacy of Bambata's and his doctors' drugs! The bullets had entered, and entered wherever and whatever they had hit. The main success of the Bobe fight accordingly lay in dispelling, possibly for ever, in so far as Natal and Zululand Natives are concerned, the extraordinary delusion already described.

In consequence of the numerous casualties, many Native women came the following morning to where the rebel forces had collected near Cetshwayo's grave to demand, of those who had declared European bullets would do no injury, restoration of their missing sons, husbands, and sweethearts. If anything ever made Bambata wince, these women's simple and unanswerable application did. At the same meeting, one of the older men asked pointedly why Bambata and his men had not engaged in the fight. Why had he stood by when a section of the forces attacked? The speaker went on, in heated manner, to propose that the notorious leader should be arrested and handed over to the Europeans forthwith; if that were inexpedient, then let him be given over to the rebels themselves to put to death. "He has deceived us by declaring bullets would not hurt us."

Finding himself thus suddenly unpopular, with his prestige gone, and even in danger of losing his life, Bambata rode off, an hour or two later, with Cakijana to Macala, saying not a word to anyone, not even to his own followers.

On the same day, Vanderplank came in touch with the enemy in Manyane valley, a few miles south-west of Ntingwe, when two were killed, thirty cattle seized and a number of kraals destroyed.

Between the 6th and 16th May, Mansel's column remained at Fort Yolland, erecting entanglements or otherwise fortifying the lager.