So large and threatening was
his army, that Sir Bartle Frere, the Governor of the Cape, considered it
absolutely necessary to bring matters to a crisis. A commission sat
upon the disputed frontier question between the Zulus and the Boers.
They had also to investigate charges of a raid into Natal territory by
some Zulu chiefs. Their decision was in favour of the Zulus against the
Boers; and, in respect of the raids, they ordered that a fine should be
paid and the offenders given up.

At the time that this decision was announced to the Zulus, Sir Bartle
Frere called upon Cetewayo to disband his army, to abandon the custom of
universal conscription, and of the refusal of marriage to the young men
until they had proved their prowess in battle. To this demand Cetewayo
returned an evasive answer, and an ultimatum was then sent to him.

Preparations were made to enforce the British demands, and, as the
British force in Natal was not large, the ships of war on the coast were
asked to furnish a contingent. Sailors being always ready for an
expedition afloat or ashore, the demand was gladly complied with, and a
brigade with rockets and gatling guns was at once organised. This
brigade was attached to the column which, under the command of Colonel
Pearson, was to advance by the road nearest to the coast.

On the 12th of January, no answer having been received to the ultimatum,
the column crossed the Tugela. The sailors had been at work at this
point for some time. They had established a ferry-boat worked by ropes,
and by this they transported across the river the stores and ammunition
needed for the expedition. The column advanced slowly and carefully,
and upon the 23rd they were attacked at the Ebroi River by the enemy.
These had placed themselves upon high ground, and opened a heavy fire.
The sailors at once got the gatlings and rockets to work, and so great
was their effect that the rush of the Zulus was checked, and they were
unable to carry out their favourite tactics of coming to close quarters.
Three hundred of them were killed, and the rest retired.

The column now marched on to Ekowe, and upon reaching that place a
messenger from the rear brought the news of the terrible disaster which
had befallen Lord Chelmsford's column at Isandhlwana. The British camp
at that place had on the advance of the main body been rushed by a large
Zulu force, and the whole of the British and native troops, numbering
over 1000, we