The dead were counted in th scrub and _dongas_ immediately round the lager, fifty-seven bodies being found, exclusive of those killed by Sibindi's men. The aggregate was probably not less than a hundred. Among the slain was Babazeleni, Faku's chief induna and principal commander of the _impi_. The losses sustained by the Reserves were attributed by Leuchars to their having saddled up when the alarm was given, and stood on their line with the bridles over their arms. The saddled horses naturally afforded a good target for the snipers. The wounded were attended to by Dr. C.H. Crass, N.M.C., who, with three members of the Signalling Corps as assistants, performed his duties during the action and afterwards in an eminently satisfactory manner. The attacking rebels proved to be only about 800 strong. They were composed of Faku's and Mtele's tribes, with some from Makafula and Mehlokazulu. A number of them were Christians. One of these, as was proved from a pocket-book found on him, was a certificated preacher of the Gordon Memorial Mission, Natal. Owing to several of the wounded having to be carried on improvised stretchers, to there being no sign of Mackay, and to the enemy having been seen at Qudeni on the 27th, Leuchars resolved to return to Ngubevu, though by a different route, namely viâ Ngqulu, the Buffalo valley and Sibindi's location. [Illustration: MPUKUNYONI Dispositions are at moment _impi_ appeared on the neck near A Scale: 4 inches = 1 mile. Contours Ver. Int. = 30 ft. REFERENCE A = _Position of the cattle_ B = _Where first attack began_ C = _Point of subsequent attack. Enemy advanced to C under cover of donga_ D = _Point of another attack,--from the river bed_ E _and_ F = _Enemy's snipers; most destructive was at E_ G = _Waterfall; many escaped here_ H = _Where enemy stopped before attacking. Clothing left at the two trees near by_ J = _Leuchars' square_ K = _Where Nuss was when he caught sight of_ impi crescent = _Enemy_ .__.__ _Lines of enemy's advance_] The return journey began at 10.30 a.m., but proved most arduous on account of the wounded having to be carried by relays of U.M.R., the Reserves, and Sibindi's levy. After the column had gone three or four miles, gun fire could be heard, and shells were seen bursting on Hlazakazi Mountain, about eight or nine miles to the north in a direct line.[217] A halt was called at the Buffalo at 3 p.m., after which the column moved on to the Copper Syndicate Works on Umsinga Mountain, where Steele was buried. In consequence of having stabbed and killed a number of the enemy, Sibindi's men, on the march back, carried their assegais, as customary on such occasions, with the blades upwards. On getting to the Buffalo, they bound certain green rushes round their heads, and otherwise doctored and cleansed themselves. The column moved further up the same mountain and, at 7 p.m., bivouacked for the night at the kraal of Sikota, one of Sibindi's indunas.[218]