ing, the army remained on the Umvolosi, having retired to the
right side, pending the decision of peace or war.

During these three days the Zulus had made many hostile demonstrations
against us. On the first and second they kept up a scattered fire at
distant ranges at our men, and on the third, growing bolder, pushed
their skirmishers down to the rocks on the opposite side of the river,
and fired upon the men, as they were watering their horses in the
stream. One horse was killed and several men wounded.

Buller therefore asked and obtained permission to make a raid on the
other side. A couple of guns were brought into requisition to defend
his crossing, and two or three rounds of shrapnel sent a crowd of Zulus,
who had approached the opposite heights, straggling in all directions.
Buller's horse, the mounted infantry, and Baker's horse dashed over the
river at once. At full speed they raced across the country; Baker's
men, guided by their leader, inclined to the left front, by Buller's
orders, to carry and hold a hillock which commanded the ford.

Colonel Raaff, with a portion of Buller's horse, was halted near the
kraal of Unodwingo to act as a reserve, and Buller, with 100 of his best
mounted men, pushed on with the intention of exploring the ground as far
as possible towards Ulundi. He knew that the bulk of the king's army
was away upon Lord Chelmsford's right flank, and thought therefore that
he might push on to Ulundi without opposition. The country consisted of
a plain, across which ran some stony undulations, and at one point were
two hollows, united at a right angle. The Zulu general disposed his men
in shelter, and as Buller with his little band of horsemen rode up they
rose and poured a very heavy fire into the ranks of the horsemen.
Sudden and unexpected as was this attack, Buller's men were too well
used to native fighting to evince the slightest confusion. In the most
perfect order they began to fall back in alternate ranks, keeping up a
steady fire upon the enemy, who were eagerly advancing. Raaff and his
men rode up to the Colonel Raaff, with a portion of Buller's horse, was
halted near the kraal of Unodwingo to act as a reserve, and Buller, with
100 of his best mounted men, pushed on with the intention of exploring
the ground as far as possible towards Ulundi. He knew that the bulk of
the king's army was away upon Lord Chelmsford's right flank, and thought
therefore that he might push on to