The result of the report was that the Magistrate deemed it necessary to proceed to Mpanza to investigate. He was accompanied by a clerk, a civilian, Inspector J.E. Rose and two troopers of the Natal Police, and a Native guide. They went along the main road as far as Mpanza (Marshall's) hotel when, unaware that their movements were being watched, they proceeded up Mpanza valley in the direction of Varty's house in search of Magwababa's captors. Whilst looking for a drift to cross the Mpanza, which passes the hotel about three-quarters of a mile lower down, they were suddenly surprised by a body of men, under the command of Bambata himself, fully armed with assegais and some guns. Bambata's party immediately opened fire at short range at the Inspector, who, with a couple of men, was leading. A few shots were returned, when one of the enemy was wounded. The _impi_ had behaved in a deliberate and cold-blooded manner, well-knowing the party was composed of Government officials. One would have thought the smallness of the party was enough to have guaranteed its safety. It would probably have made a considerable difference had it been even smaller and unarmed. Evidently the temper of the people had greatly changed. When the men were sent with Clarke to arrest Bambata, he fled to Zululand. Now, when another, though smaller party, appears on the scene, he, without warning, opens fire upon them. Clearly something had occurred during the visit to Zululand to embolden him to break out into open rebellion. The Magistrate's party, on going into Mpanza valley, did so in no aggressive spirit, not even to attempt arrest, but solely to find out what had become of the acting Chief, as it was their duty to do. They could not, under the circumstances, do otherwise than make their way back to the hotel (on the main road) as best they could, through the thick thorn bush that lay between. The three ladies in the hotel, Mesdames Hunter, Marshall and Borham (and son), warned of their danger, proceeded to effect an escape as speedily as they could. This was done with the assistance of the police. As a matter of fact, though unknown to the party at the time, the rebels did not pursue, otherwise one or more must have been overtaken. They made their way as rapidly as possible to the Police Station, Keate's drift (on the Mooi River), reaching the post the same afternoon. Some time after the party had gone off, a number of the insurgents proceeded to the hotel and, breaking into the canteen and cellar, helped themselves freely to the large supply of liquor they found there.