[158] The position, at the time, seems to have been this: As soon as Bambata, fleeing from Mpanza, was known to have entered Zululand, the local authorities applied the principle of communal responsibility, under which every Chief and his adherents became bound to co-operate with Government officials (if any) and one another in apprehending the fugitive. No Government officials being available on the spot at the outset, Chiefs were expected to assist one another. When, however, instead of running from district to district, Bambata made for the Nkandhla forests and there concealed and established himself, it devolved, under Native law, on Sigananda to make the arrest if he could. Mr. Saunders regarded this Chief as able to at least drive the rebels out of the forests by a process of starvation. Hence, qualification of the first order, by Chiefs in general being no longer required to assist Sigananda, but being held responsible merely for arresting Bambata should he escape to or through their respective wards.
[159] Commissioner for Native Affairs to Prime Minister, 28th April, 1906. Cd. 3027, p. 32.
[160] Commissioner for Native Affairs to Prime Minister, 28th April, 1906. Col. 3027, p. 31.
[161] Had van Rooyen's Reserves been retained, the aggregate would have been over 400.
[162] Van Rooyen and Vanderplank reached Empandhleni at 6 a.m. and 6.45 p.m. respectively on the 9th, whilst Mansel got to Middle Drift at 4.30 p.m. on the same day.
[163] These were simply the bushy part of ox- or cow-tails of white hair or white and red mixed, with the skin cut so as to enable them to be bound round the head. They were arranged so as to stand erect, lie on the head (front to back), or fall from the back part of the head on to the neck. They were also tied round the neck so as to hang down the back. No one was required to wear more than one. As the wearers ran, the 'tails' continually bobbed up and down,—done possibly with the object of inspiring the enemy with fear.
[164] The explanation is that blank cartridges were used for the first two shots.
[165] Bambata and at least one of his men rode horses.
[166] Charms for warding off evil. Different ones are used according to the character of the evil to be averted.
[167] That is, the men drew up in this formation.