[Footnote 175: Undisturbed in any way, as required by custom, the grave was found by the troops in 1906, to be overgrown with grass and weeds. There was around it a grove, some 200 yards in length and oval in shape. Immediately round the grove was a rough fence of Kaffir-boom trees. None of the trees in the plantation were more than 25 feet high. Owing to the grass not having been burnt or cut, it was naturally infested with snakes, among which, it was believed, was that (_i.e._ spirit) of the departed monarch. As, year by year, the grass in the vicinity was burnt, it devolved on the care-taker to make a 10-foot fire-break round the grove by digging away the grass. The grave consisted of a mound, 12 feet long by 10 feet broad and 15 inches high. On top of it lay one or two broken _kambas_ (clay pots without handles), and parts of the original ox-waggon.] [Footnote 176: This officer (Brev. Lieut.-Col. B.M.R.) had served as follows: South African War, 1878-9--Zulu Campaign. Medal with clasp. South African War, 1899-1902--Operations in Natal, 1899, including actions at Rietfontein and Lombard's Kop. Defence of Ladysmith, including sortie of 7th December, 1899, and action of 6th January, 1900; operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including action at Laing's Nek; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to October, 1900. In command, West Australian Mounted Infantry--Operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 30th November, 1900, to 31st May, 1902; operations on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October, 1901. Despatches, _London Gazette_, 17th and 25th April, 1902, and 4th December, 1903. Queen's medal with four clasps. C.M.G.; D.S.O. _The Official Army List_, Wyman & Sons, London, 1911.] [Footnote 177: Cd. 3027, 1906, p. 12.] [Footnote 178: Son of the late loyal Chief Zibebu.] [Footnote 179: The convoy found the Buffalo River full and experienced trouble in fording the waggons. Every precaution was taken when travelling in Zululand. A lager was formed each night with the waggons, and a light barbed-wire fence erected 50 yards therefrom. The force stood to arms at 4 a.m. every day.] [Footnote 180: The rebels occupied a position from which every movement by Mackay's force, ever since it left the magistracy, could be plainly seen. They, moreover, had two other outlooks which were visible from the magistracy.] [Footnote 181: This is the district whose Chiefs had, but a few days before, offered their services against Bambata and Sigananda.] [Footnote 182: Cd. 3027, p. 67.] [Footnote 183: Cd. 3027, p. 67.] X. MOBILIZATION OF ZULULAND FIELD FORCE.--MANSEL ENGAGES THE ENEMY AT BOBE.