Finding themselves beaten at the first rush, they broke, large numbers making down the steep and slightly wooded watercourses on either side of the kraal marked "Manyunda." Another section disappeared down the northern slopes that converge at _F_, where they concealed themselves, in the vicinity of Nkunzana river. A number were shot as they ran, especially on the south-western slopes. The Natal Police, when the action began, were quickly pushed up to support at _D_, about 300 yards from _E_, from where a heavy and effective fire proceeded for the few moments the enemy was visible. The Navals and the D.L.I. came forward on hearing the fire. The former, at the time, were on the Bobe side of the neck leading to _D_, _i.e._ at _B_, some few yards up the incline. From such position, a Maxim they had with them opened at long range, proving effective. The D.L.I., still further up Bobe at _A_, being rear-guard, did not come into action at this stage. [Illustration: BOBE Scale of yards 0 100 200 400 600 800 REFERENCE A, B, C, &c., see text _Footpath_ _Native kraal_ _Route taken by troops_ _Nkandla forests lie on immediate right and right front of the map_] After the rebels had dispersed, the column moved forward and began to close up about 300 yards west of _F_. Suddenly another body of rebels, about 400 strong, was seen moving up the Nkunzana, as if making for the rear of the rear-guard, and therefore attempting a belated encircling movement. Possibly Mansel's extraordinarily long column and its abnormally slow progress, was the reason why the enemy's attack on the rear-guard failed as it did. The front _impi_ had come into action before the rear one (owing to the very high ground Mansel's rear-guard was still descending) could attempt the usual enveloping tactics. As this body reached a kraal on the north side of Bobe, it was joined by a company that had been scouting for some days on Nomangci and which, hearing the fire, had come unsolicited to help. The _impi_ then advanced towards the rear-guard (D.L.I.). Not many minutes before, the officer in charge of the guard had had occasion to send Mfungelwa and his force to capture stock and burn kraals on the left, consequently he was under the impression the Natives he saw were the Native contingent, until, examining with field-glasses, he noticed that none wore the usual Turkey-red and calico badge. The enemy was thereupon fired into by the guard and N.N.C.; without charging, although firing a few shots, he broke and disappeared down the slopes up which he had just come.