to the west of it.

Umnini, a chief who lived near the head of Natal Bay, had the chief
command of the whole army, whilst Inyati had command of the men who came
from the Umzimvubu district. There had been several consultations
between Umnini, Inyati, and other chiefs, as to the best method of
defending the country, and a plan was arranged which was well thought
out and carefully planned.

The course which it was thought the Zulus would follow, was on the open
country about five miles from the coast; they must, however, pass
through a portion of the bush near the Umbilo river at the head of Natal
Bay, and it was here that our attack was to be made. Our plan was, to
allow a certain portion of the army to pass through the bush; then to
dash in, and separate this portion from the main body; keep the main
body at bay whilst our men attacked those who had passed into the open
beyond the bush.

During the various walks I had taken about the country, I had discovered
a place that I at once selected as one suitable for my small party of
twenty, in case we had to make a stand. It was a solid piece of ground
like a rocky island in the middle of a large vlei or marsh. The marsh
consisted of water and soft mud, so deep that a man would sink nearly to
his shoulders in the mud. The island was surrounded by this mud for
nearly 100 yards, and so was beyond the cast of an assagy. To secure a
pathway to this island, I employed my men in cutting branches of trees
and placing these in a line from the firm ground across the marsh to the
island. It required a great many branches; but we worked hard, and at
length made a foundation on which we could get to the island without
sinking above our ankles. We had intelligence of the movements of the
Zulu army, and knew just where they were each hour of the day; but our
own army kept so carefully concealed, that not a man could be seen.

The Zulus evidently thought they were not likely to meet much
opposition, and did not take the precaution of sending forward small
parties to examine the ground in front, and feel for their enemies; so
we hoped to surprise them.

All our arrangements were made to attack the Zulus when they had crossed
the Umbilo river, which they did shortly after daybreak. They marched
on, singing war-songs, and beating their shields, and entered the bush
country; and when about 2,000 were out in the open beyond, about a
thousand of our warriors rushed on the line, cut