Major Hackett was struck by a ball
sideways, which passed through both eyes and destroyed his sight for
ever. Meanwhile, from the works on the heights, Captain Nicholson was
doing great execution with his two 7-pounders. The Zulu main body had
now come within range, and grape and canister were poured into their
heavy masses. As Nicholson was standing on the parapet, field-glass in
hand, directing the pointing of two guns, a bullet struck him on the
temple and he fell dead. He was seen from the laager to fall, and Major
Vaughan was sent to take his place. Major Tremlett, R.A., now took the
four guns, hitherto held in reserve, to a small piece of rising ground
outside the laager, and opened fire upon the masses of the enemy with
immense execution. From time to time Buller and Russell, as they saw
openings for a charge, swept down and drove the enemy's skirmishers back
on to their main body; the Zulus, altogether unaccustomed to cavalry,
always falling back precipitately at these assaults.

At three o'clock a hot cross-fire was opened upon a company commanded by
Captain Woodgate, which was stationed half-way between the laager and
the upper fort, keeping open a communication between them, the enemy's
fire from a height commanding this line being particularly galling. Two
of Tremlett's guns were brought to bear on the point, and the enemy's
fire speedily slackened. For another hour and a half the troops
continued to be hotly engaged, for the enemy, when driven back from one
flank, swept round in most perfect order and attacked another.

At half-past four the Zulus, concentrating again, attacked the northern
side, and made some desperate rushes up to the muzzles of the English
rifles, and the fighting for a time was almost hand to hand.

The boys had worked round with their stretchers, wherever the fire was
hardest, and had carried many wounded men into hospital. They were at
the north face when the Zulus swarmed up towards it, and Woodgate's men
fell back into the shelter of the laager. As they came in, a young
lieutenant, who was commanding the rear, fell, apparently dead. Being
in the rear of the company his fall was unnoticed by the men. Dick, who
was peering over the intrenchment, saw him fall, and saw too that he
moved slightly.

"Quick, Tom!" he exclaimed; and, carrying the stretcher, the boys
scrambled over the breastwork and ran towards the officer. He had
fallen some twenty yards outside, and the Zu