were curiously many Zulus; for great
numbers of this people had at various times been obliged to take refuge
in Natal, to avoid the destruction threatened them by their despotic
king, and these were now eager to fight against their late monarch.

Some of the bodies of volunteer horse were very smart and soldier-like
in their appearance. They were for the most part composed of young
farmers, and Dick and Tom bitterly regretted that they had not been a
few years older, in which case, instead of looking after a lot of bulls,
as Dick contemptuously said, they might have been riding in the ranks of
the volunteers.

By the regulars the two days were spent in cleaning their arms and
accoutrements, whose burnish and cleanliness had suffered much in the
long wet march, and from the bivouacs on the damp ground.

After marching from Grey Town with the 24th the boys had been placed
regularly on the roll of the army, as conductors, and, although they
drew no pay, had now the advantage of receiving rations as white men.
They had upon the line of march frequently chatted with the young
officers of the regiment, who, finding that they were the sons of
well-to-do farmers and were cheery, high-spirited lads, took to them
very much, and invited them of an evening to join them round the
camp-fire.

The last day came, and still no messenger arrived from Cetewayo, and in
the evening orders were issued that the column should at daybreak pass
the drift and advance into the enemy's country. The troops laid down
that night in high spirits, little dreaming of the disaster which was to
befall them in the campaign which they thought of so lightly.

CHAPTER FIVE.

ISANDULA.

At two o'clock on the morning of the 11th of January the bugle sounded
the reveille and the troops prepared to cross the Buffalo. Tents were
struck, baggage piled on the waggons, and the regiments stood to arms at
half-past four. The native contingent crossed first. The cavalry
brigade under Lieutenant-Colonel Russell placed their ammunition on a
pontoon and rode over. The river was in some places up to the necks of
the infantry, and even the cavalry were nearly swept away. The first
and second battalions of the 24th crossed on the pontoons. The third
regiment of the native contingent threw out skirmishers, but could find
no trace of the enemy.

A heavy storm had come on at daybreak, but this left off at nine
o'clock. Lieutenant-Colonel Buller, commanding