e, but he
had resolved not to yield to their demands. His first care was to put
the farm in a more complete state of defence. He immediately sent off
one of his men to obtain further help from any white settlers or Kaffirs
who were able to come. With those remaining, he at once commenced
putting up the palisades which have been mentioned, placed in readiness
for the purpose. The uprights were so formed that the horizontal beams
or planks could be fitted into them without the use of nails, while they
were supported from the inside by beams placed at an angle to serve as
buttresses. Near to the top of the wall was a platform which ran round
the whole of the palisades, and served as a rampart from which to fire
down on an enemy. Such a structure would have been easily destroyed by
fire, but the deep trench which ran in front prevented that danger, and
the wooden wall was thus well calculated to resist any attack which the
Zulus were likely to make against it. Inside the fortifications, for so
they might be called, was a large barn, containing a good supply of
fodder for the cattle, while in the house provisions of various
descriptions were stored. While some of the men were employed in
putting up the defences, the Hottentots were sent off to drive in the
more valuable of the cattle, so that they, at all events, might be
preserved, while the Zulus in revenge might make a raid on the
unprotected part of the farm, and destroy or carry off what they could
lay their hands on. Considerable progress had been made before
daybreak, but still much remained to be completed, and it was hoped that
until this was done, the Zulus would not cross the river.

Captain Broderick at first contemplated the possibility, with the force
he hoped to have under his command, of preventing them from crossing by
attacking them while they were in the water; but then again, they might
possibly, expecting to be opposed, divide into two or more parties, and
while he was engaged with one party, the others might get across. He
was also unwilling to commence hostilities, and considered it wise to
throw the responsibility of so doing on the Zulus. He therefore with
unabated energy continued the preparations for defence.

There was little doubt that if the Zulus meditated an attack, they would
send scouts to watch what was taking place in the farm. He was
thankful, therefore, when soon after daylight the Hottentots arrived
with the choicest of his