th, and they
again advanced with a humming sound, in time to which their dancing
movement was kept up. The 60th, who lay opposite to the point against
which they advanced, withheld their fire until the first line of
skirmishers came to within 300 yards. Then a deadly sheet of flame
flashed along the ridge of the shelter-trench, and a number of the Zulu
warriors fell.

The main body now rushed forward, and although a tremendous fusilade was
kept up on them, the Zulu advance pressed on, ever fed by those in the
rear, which deployed in excellent order as they reinforced the first
line. For twenty minutes the fire of the 60th never ceased. Again and
again the Zulus pressed forward, but their leading ranks were swept away
by the storm of bullets.

At half-past six the Zulu masses, without the smallest confusion, faced
to their right, ran round in columns, and fell upon the face of the
laager held by the 57th and 91st. Here they were as hotly received as
they had been by the 60th. Notwithstanding the deadly fire, the Zulus
pressed forward with noble courage. They had ceased to shout now, and
seemed only anxious to reach the square. Four times they rushed
forward; each time they fell back with terrible loss. The fire of the
soldiers was assisted by that of the native contingent, who, posted in
the waggons behind, added their fire to that of the 91st and 57th.

The last attack was led by Dabulamanzi in person, and arrived within
five yards of the muzzles of the men's rifles; indeed one or two of the
chiefs actually seized the hot barrels with one hand, while they stabbed
at the men with their shortened assegais.

This was their final repulse, and they now began to fall back. The
moment that they did so, the cavalry dashed out in pursuit, and chased
them far across the plain. The gatlings and 9-pounders added in no
slight degree to the effect of the rifles. The entire English loss was
but two officers and four privates killed, and three officers and
thirty-four privates wounded; while the Zulu loss exceeded 1000. The
force under Dabulamanzi was about 11,000, and a similar force was close
at hand, but fortunately had not joined that of Dabulamanzi before he
attacked the British.

On the following day the 57th, 60th, and 91st, together with the mounted
men and several of the mounted brigade, taking with them three days'
provisions, marched for Ekowe. Major Barrow scouted the ground, and
reported that everywhere