nd broken in
an instant, the Zulus fought in stubborn knots, stabbing at the horses,
throwing themselves on the men, and trying to dismount them.

In a _melee_ like this the lance was useless, and the troopers drew
their swords and fought hand to hand with the foe; and now a troop of
the King's Dragoon Guards and Buller's horse took up the charge, and the
flying Zulus were cut down in scores before they could gain the crest of
the hill. The Zulus here fought with far less determination than they
had exhibited at Kambula. There for four hours they had striven in vain
to carry General Wood's strongly-intrenched position; here they made one
great effort, and then all was over. Their force was estimated at
23,000, and of these they lost only about 1500, of whom at least
one-third were killed in the retreat. The battle over, the remaining
kraals were burnt. Most unfortunately, the day after the battle of
Ulundi, the news of the arrival of Sir Garnet Wolseley reached the
front, and the movements of the army were paralysed by the change of
command. Instead therefore of a vigorous pursuit of the enemy, nothing
was done, and the army halted until the new commander-in-chief should
arrange his plans of action. Lord Chelmsford at once resigned command
of his column, and left for England.

The two boys had been present at the battle of Ulundi. They had, during
the weary weeks which preceded the advance, made the acquaintance of
most of the officers of the cavalry, and Colonel Lowe had repeated the
permission given them by General Marshall. They had therefore, when on
the morning of the fight the column marched out, attached themselves to
Shepstone's mounted Basutos, and had fought in the ranks of that corps
during the cavalry action which preceded the attack on the square.

After the action was over, great quantities of cattle and corn fell into
the hands of the troops, and so large a transport-train was no longer
necessary. Orders were therefore issued that a certain number of the
waggons could take their discharge from the service, and the lads at
once applied to be placed on the list of those whose services could be
dispensed with.

Two days later they started for the rear with a convoy of sick and
wounded, and in due time, without further adventure, arrived home, to
the great delight of their parents.

The victory of Ulundi virtually put an end to the war; a great portion
of the troops were sent home; the Zulu chi