t chances, the writer of this account, who knew Colonel
Durnford well, and has the greatest respect for the memory of that good
officer, and honourable gentleman, is able to suggest an answer to the
problem which at the time was freely offered by the Natal colonists. A
few years before, it happened that Colonel Durnford was engaged upon
some military operations against a rebellious native chief in Natal.
Coming into contact with the followers of this chief, in the hope that
matters might be arranged without bloodshed, Durnford ordered the white
volunteers under his command not to fire, with the result that the
rebels fired, killing several of his force and wounding him in the arm.
This incident gave rise to an irrational indignation in the colony, and
for a while he himself was designated by the ungenerous nickname of
'Don't fire Durnford.' It is alleged, none can know with what amount of
truth, that it was the memory of this undeserved insult which caused
Colonel Durnford to insist upon advancing the troops under his command
to engage the Zulus in the open, instead of withdrawing them to await
attack in the comparative safety of a 'laager.'

The events following the advance of the various British companies at
Isandhlwana are exceedingly difficult to describe in their proper order,
since the evidence of the survivors is confused.

[Illustration]

It would appear, however, that Durnford's mounted Basutos discovered and
fired on a portion of the Umcityu regiment, which, forgetting its
orders, sprang up and began to charge. Thereon, accepting the position,
the other Zulu regiments joined the movement. Very rapidly, and with the
most perfect order, the impi adopted the traditional Zulu ox-head
formation, namely, that of a centre and two horns, the centre
representing the skull of the ox. In this order they advanced towards
the English camp, slowly and without sound. Up to this time there had
been no particular alarm in the camp. The day was bright and lovely,
with a hot sun tempered by a gentle breeze that just stirred the tops of
the grasses, and many men seem to have been strolling about quite
unaware of their imminent danger, although orders were given to collect
the transport oxen, which were at graze outside the camp; not for the
purpose of inspanning the waggons, but to prevent them from being
captured by the enemy. One officer (Captain, now Colonel, Essex) reports
that after the company had been sent out, he retire