Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand Part 19

"It looks so, certainly," said George; "but our officers are men well used to campaigning, and, what is more, to campaigns with the natives.

They can't have overlooked this, unless they knew that there was no risk."

"Well, all I can say is, no commanding officer under whom I have served before ever left a camp undefended, as this is," rejoined Hardy.

"Here comes Colonel Durnford," said George, as a fine soldierly-looking man rode up, attended by a force of mounted Basutos. "I knew he was expected about this time. He is senior to Colonel Pulleine; I daresay he will order the camp to be fortified. I suppose it would not be a very long job, would it?"

"No, not to put it into such a state as would be sufficient to repel an attack of these Zulus," a.s.sented Hardy. "Look at those waggons yonder.

The oxen are already inspanned. If they were simply drawn together in a circle, the infantry and the ammunition collected and placed inside, the Zulus couldn't force their way in against one-half of the numbers that we have here. No, not if Cetewayo sent his whole army. Of course they might pillage the rest of the camp, and drive off the oxen. But they couldn't get inside,--not in a week,--and they would probably lose thousands in making the attempt. Look at those two guns there, too! If they were drawn in front of the waggons, they would shoot down any attacking force--whole heaps of men at every discharge. And they couldn't be taken under the fire of the laager. See there, Colonel Dumford is giving some orders. I hope he sees the danger, and is going to take some precautions against it. Let us move up nearer."

On approaching the spot, however, they found the colonel's thoughts were otherwise occupied. News had just come in that the Zulus were retreating in all directions, and would escape unhurt if they were not pursued. The colonel therefore was on the point of going after them, accompanied by his mounted Basutos and the rocket battery which he had brought with him, leaving the camp once more under Colonel Pulleine's command.

"I don't like it," said Hardy when this was reported to him. "I don't see what there has been to make these Zulus retreat. It is certain that they are in great force, and they can hardly be said to have been attacked. I hope this retreat is not a mere feint to draw more men out of the camp. I suppose, however, Lord Chelmsford must be returning to it, and Colonel Durnford knows that he is close at hand."

As he spoke, Colonel Durnford and his Basutos went past at a rapid pace, the rocket battery, under Captain Russell, following.

For some time after his departure there was no further movement in the camp. But presently the idea spread, and gained ground, that an attack from a large force of the enemy was to be looked for. The six companies of the 24th were drawn up--three of them in extended order on the left front, where the princ.i.p.al attack might be looked for, two more on the side where the waggons were posted, while one company (that of Captain Younghusband) was held in reserve. Close to the companies the artillery was stationed, and a little farther off a detachment of the Native Contingent.

About one o'clock heavy firing all round announced the approach of the struggle, and presently the Basutos, who had encountered an overwhelming force of the enemy, were seen falling back on all sides, pursued by large bodies of Zulus, who came rolling like a sable wave over the crest of the opposite hill. As soon as they came in sight, the artillery opened upon them, mowing them down with terrible havoc. But they continued to advance, hesitating now and then when the fire from the guns came among them, then rushing on more resolutely than ever.

Presently they came near enough for the fire of the 24th to open, and this for the time checked their advance. Desperate as the courage of the blacks was, they could not face the storm of lead thus showered upon them.

"They won't stand this very long, Rivers," said Hardy, as they watched the battle from the flank, on which the volunteers were stationed.

"They have wonderful pluck, certainly; but, unless the ammunition fails, it is impossible they can approach nearer. Even now I see signs of wavering among them. We shall soon be at their heels, I expect.

Merciful Heaven!" he exclaimed a moment afterwards in an altered voice, as, chancing to turn round, he caught sight of some object behind him.

"The Zulus have got into our rear! It is all over with us!"

Rivers glanced round, and a thrill of dismay shot through him, as he beheld the head of a Zulu column making its way round the precipitous hill in the rear of the camp, and pouring on in large and ever-increasing volumes to attack the English from behind. At the same moment the a.s.sailing force in front caught sight of their countrymen, and rushed forward with redoubled fury. Struck with terror, the native contingent broke its ranks and fled, leaving a wide gap in the fighting line, through which the black warriors burst like a raging torrent, and the whole camp in a moment became a scene of wild confusion. The various groups of white soldiers were cut off from their ammunition and from one another, presenting the appearance of an island here and there, encompa.s.sed by the overwhelming flood of the enemy. A fierce rush carried the guns, which had hitherto inflicted such deadly loss on their host. A desperate attempt was made by those in charge of them to force their way through the enemy. But the gunners were a.s.segayed on the limbers, and the drivers in their seats. One gun was upset, the other was dragged off by the wounded horses. All was confusion, distraction, despair.

"Ride for it, George!" shouted Hardy. "The only hope is to reach Lord Chelmsford, if he is anywhere near at hand, as I hope he is, and bring him to the rescue. Some of our fellows may hold out long enough for him to come up. Ay, that is right!" he exclaimed, turning on his saddle as they galloped off; "there is Captain Younghusband retiring against the steep side of the hill. He, at all events, will hold out a long time there. All depends on how near Lord Chelmsford may be."

Urging their horses to the utmost speed, they broke their way through some scattered groups of combatants, and had got clear of the camp among some bushes, when they came upon two hors.e.m.e.n riding, at the top of their speed, in the opposite direction. George recognised them as Ernest Baylen and Matamo.

"Stop, Ernest!" he shouted; "do not make for the camp. The Zulus have broken in there. Where are our fellows? Where is Lord Chelmsford?"

Baylen reined in his horse. "Broken into the camp!" he exclaimed; "the Zulus! Then all is lost! Dartnell's men are dispersed or killed.

Moritz has been a.s.segayed. I was riding to bring help."

"Where is Lord Chelmsford?" interposed Hardy. "Is he anywhere near at hand?"

"No, miles off, I believe, but I can't say where."

"Then there is nothing for it but to make for Rorke's Drift. We may warn them in time to prepare for attack."

He was just turning his horse when half a dozen Zulus came rushing up, hurling their a.s.segays as they advanced. One of these grazed George's cheek. Another pierced Ernest in the chest, who fell on the instant; while a third mortally wounded Matamo's horse. The Bechuana leaped from his saddle, and was instantly struck down by a blow from a club. George cut down the man whose a.s.segay had narrowly missed him, and Hardy shot two more with his revolver. The others drew back for the moment; and the two Englishmen, taking advantage of their hesitation, galloped off.

"To the left, to the left!" shouted Hardy; "make for the thicket there.

I know a path through it that runs down to the Buffalo. The pursuit is, fortunately, in another direction."

In a few minutes they reached the cover of the trees, followed only by the three or four Zulus from whom they had just escaped.

Once inside the wood they were tolerably secure. Elated by the signal success they had obtained, the news of which spread like wildfire in all directions, the Zulus were hurrying to witness the overthrow and slaughter of the white men, and get their share of the spoil, and the fugitives did not encounter a single enemy, while their pursuers were a long way in the rear. Hurrying along a path, which Hardy had often traversed when a resident of the country, in half an hour's time they found themselves on the banks of the Buffalo, at a part which was entirely out of sight of either friends or enemies.

"Will our horses carry us across?" asked Hardy as he looked at the swollen and roaring stream, which at that point ran with extraordinary speed.

"They must," said George. "Not our lives only, but those of our friends at Rorke's Drift depend upon it."

"You are right. We must cross at once."

The horses, which had somewhat recovered their wind during the pa.s.sage through the wood, were extremely unwilling to enter the stream; and it was only by sharp use of the spur that they could be compelled to breast it. For about a third of the distance the water was comparatively smooth, and they made their way, though with difficulty. But as they approached the mid-current they found its force quite irresistible.

Both horses were swept down the stream, and soon lost all power of resistance. George threw himself from the saddle, and, striking out with all his force, broke clear of the current and slowly made his way to the sh.o.r.e, while his horse, which had ceased to struggle, was carried down the torrent. George scrambled with difficulty up the bank, and, looking round for his companion, saw him a hundred yards lower down, clinging to the long, projecting branch of a large yellowwood. His horse too had disappeared, and he himself appeared to be quite exhausted. Shouting to him to hold on to the branch, George hurried to the spot, and, climbing into the tree, was able to approach him near enough to throw one end of his belt to him, while he drew him upwards by the other. After a quarter of an hour of great peril and exertion, they both stood safe on the farther sh.o.r.e of the Buffalo.

"We are saved, Rivers," said Hardy as soon as he had recovered his breath sufficiently to thank his preserver; "but I am afraid not in time to warn our friends at Rorke's Drift. We have come direct enough so far, no doubt. But Rorke's Drift lies some considerable distance off, and I am so much exhausted that it would take me a long time to reach it on foot. I am afraid you are not much better."

"Hush!" said George; "I hear some one moving close at hand. We have lost our revolvers, but we still have our sabres. Can these Zulus have followed us?"

They drew cautiously back under the cover of the reeds and rushes, and listened intently. Presently the tramp of horses' feet was distinctly heard, and two mounted volunteers came riding by at an easy trot, attended by two or three natives.

"It is some of our own fellows," exclaimed George; "how fortunate! By all that is lucky," he added a moment afterwards, "it is Redgy himself, and Wilhelm Baylen! Hullo, Redgy, what has brought you here? Stop a moment, and take us with you."

Margetts reined in his horse in great surprise. "I may return your question, I think," he said. "What brings you here? And, good heavens!

what a condition you are in. You have swam the river, and are covered with blood besides! What has happened?"

"It will take a long time to tell that," answered George, "and we must not stop here to tell it. Every moment is of incalculable importance.

Give me your horse, Redgy. I think I can contrive to sit in the saddle, and Wilhelm must ride by me. You and Hardy must make your way as well as you can on foot. He will tell you all about it."

He spurred the horse to its speed, and he and Baylen were soon lost to sight.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

The morning of the 22nd of January broke calm and clear on the valley of the Buffalo. At one end of this, as the reader has heard, was situated the ford of Rorke's Drift, to which the occurrence of that day has given a world-wide celebrity. But for the fact that there are shallows close to it, by which cavalry may almost always cross, there is nothing that could cause it to be chosen as a military station. The valley indeed is open for some considerable distance above the Drift; but below it there rise rocky hills, which would enable an enemy completely to command it.

On the north bank again, which is in Zululand, the ground is level; but on the Natal side there is high land, sloping abruptly down to the river at the point where the ford is shallowest. From this point, as well as from that before mentioned, the camp could be easily attacked, and probably with disastrous effect. It could therefore only be from that contempt of the most obvious dangers, which seems to be an inevitable feature in the English character, that a military storehouse and hospital could have been built in such a situation. It must have been evident to every one that, if a Zulu invasion--a thing which had already twice occurred, and which was now again apprehended with grave reason-- were really to take place, and Cetewayo pour his dusky thousands across the Buffalo, the stores and the sick men must be, at once and without hope of deliverance, at his mercy.

In any case, one would have supposed that this consideration would cause some anxiety in the minds of the slender garrison left in it, when the three British columns had pa.s.sed the frontier of Zululand to attack its renowned and dreaded king. All over Natal, if not all over Southern Africa, it was considered as, at all events, very doubtful, whether he would not prove too strong--not indeed for the power of England to cope with, but for the number of troops now sent against him. And if he obtained even a temporary triumph, and forced Glyn's column back over the river, what would all their lives be worth? Did not common prudence require the throwing up defences of some kind, which might keep the enemy off, for some time at least, until succour might arrive. The grand feat of arms, which averted a second disaster, has induced the world to disregard the strange imprudence exhibited here, as at Isandhlwana. But had the result been different, and had the garrison experienced the same fate as those who fell in the fatal battle on the morning of the same day, the outcry would in all likelihood have been quite as loud and quite as justifiable.

But no thought of danger disturbed the equanimity of the slender force left to garrison their untenable post. The men, when the necessary camp duties had been discharged, appeared to be sorely at a loss to know in what manner to employ their time. The day was warm and bright, and early in the forenoon it became oppressively hot. Some amused themselves by fishing in the adjoining river. Some strolled up and down, or sat smoking and chatting in the verandah, or under such shade as could be found.

At a little distance, in front of the Swedish pastor's house, Vander Heyden and his sister were walking up and down, engaged in earnest conversation.

"I wish you would think better of this, Annchen," he said. "Mr Bilderjik returns this morning to Colenso. He finds there is nothing to be done here, which the pastor himself cannot do, nor is there likely to be anything. He will take you with him to his house, and thence you will find easily enough the means of conveyance to Newcastle, where a temporary residence has been engaged. There all the waggons and the goods which were saved from the wreck at Bushman's Drift have been conveyed. There, too, you can make the necessary preparations for the journey across the Transvaal, which cannot be made here."

"You are resolved on settling at Pieter's Dorf, then?"

"Have I not told you so already? Bushman's Drift was completely destroyed by those fiends of Umbelini's. It would take a great deal of time and money to restore it; and even were that otherwise, I could never endure the sight of the place again."

"I know, I know," murmured Annchen, as she laid her hand pityingly on his arm.

"And Pieter's Dorf," resumed Vander Heyden, "is the place at which I have always wished to live, since it came into my possession. Additions to the house and farm buildings are needed, and these Hardy, the most competent man in these parts, has promised to undertake. We shall certainly set out as soon as I am free to travel."

"That is, as soon as Cetewayo has been put down, I suppose. But if you are to have no hand in putting him down, why wait for that?"