ismounted and opened
fire, while the second rank mounted in readiness to charge. Gradually
Buller and Shepstone fell back, the Zulu column pressing upon them until
well within reach of the gatlings and Martinis. The cavalry then took
refuge in the square, and over the ridges of the front and left the Zulu
column with loud shouts swept down upon the square. The British
infantry now opened fire. Gatlings and rifles poured in their deadly
hail of fire, while the guns swept the Zulu ranks with shrapnel and
grape. Terrible as the fire was, the Zulus pressed bravely forward,
filling up the gaps made in their ranks, their wild war-cry rising even
above the roll of the rifle-fire. The fiercest attack came from the
Unodwingo kraal. Forming under cover of the kraal, a large body, led by
a chief on a white horse, and formed in a hollow square, dashed at the
right rear angle of the British formation. Tremendous as the fire was,
they pressed forward until it seemed as if they would come to close
quarters with the column; but, brave as the Zulus were, it was
impossible to withstand the fire which the 21st, 94th, 58th, and Royal
Engineers poured into them. The square was broken up, and after a
moment's pause the Zulus turned and sought shelter from the leaden hail.

While the fight was raging here, another Zulu column had attacked the
front; but here the assault was speedily repulsed, the cool and steady
fire of the 80th having so deadly an effect that the Zulus never
attempted to make a rush upon them. It was now a quarter to ten--but a
quarter of an hour from the firing of the first shot, but the combat was
virtually at an end. The Zulus, astounded at the storm of fire by which
they had been received, were everywhere wavering; Lord Chelmsford gave
the order, and the two squadrons of lancers burst from the square,
greeted with a loud cheer from the infantry, and with their pennons
fluttering in the breeze, and their long lances in rest they dashed upon
the flying Zulus, and drove them headlong into a little ravine. But
flanking this, and hidden by the long grass, half a Zulu regiment had
been posted to cover the retreat, and as the squadrons of lancers came
on a volley was poured in, which emptied several saddles and killed
Lieutenant Wyatt-Edgell, who was leading his men. In another moment the
line of lancers dashed down upon the Zulu ranks, and before the level
line of lances the enemy went down like grass. Shattered a