The death of Bambata occurred as follows: Some time after those who fled into Dobo had passed in, and shortly before the shelling thereof, a solitary unarmed man, with but a shirt on, was seen making his way up the Mome stream, walking in the water. The first to notice him was a Native loyalist, some sixty yards away on the left bank of the Mome. Behind the man in the shirt, however, on the right bank, and only ten yards off, was another loyalist. The man in the water perceived the Native sixty yards off, but not the one in rear. Seeing the more distant man rushing to attack him, he left the water, but no sooner did he mount the right bank, than the one in rear, seizing the opportunity, darted forward and planted his long-bladed assegai in the rebel's body. This happened just as that part, where Dobo abuts on the Mome, had been reached. The loyalist, a powerfully built fellow, endeavoured to withdraw the weapon, the only one he had, with the object of again stabbing his far-from-dead foe. But, having thrust too hard, the assegai had got so bent that it could not be extricated. The unfortunate victim had by this time fallen. Presently, the man who had first observed him, crossed the stream and, raising his assegai, attempted to thrust at the half-prostrate form. Quick as lightning, the latter--never uttering a sound--clutched the assegai with both hands before it had struck him, and violently struggled for its possession. It seemed he must succeed, notwithstanding two were against him. He fought with the valour of despair. By this time, however, a Nongqai, also on the left bank, had noticed what was afoot. Coming up quickly, he raised his rifle and shot the rebel through the head. And there, after further unsuccessful efforts to withdraw the assegai, the corpse was left to lie. None of those present bothered themselves with deceased's identity. As the establishment of such identity did not take place until a couple of days afterwards, and then only under special circumstances, the rest of the story must be reserved for its proper place. [Illustration: MOME Dispositions are at beginning of action; for subsequent ones, see Reference and text Scale 0 500 1000 2000 3000 yards REFERENCE A = _Colonel McKenzie's position during action_ B = _Where N.C., N.D.M.R, and R.H. prevented escape of rebels_ C, D, E = _Positions N.C., D.L.I., N.D.M.R. respectively, at 7.30 a.m._ F = _Squadron, R.H., 8 a.m._ G = _Barker's 15-pdrs., 8 a.m._ H _to_ J = _Barker's force was operating at 8 a.m. between these points_ K = _Bambata killed here_ L _to_ M = _Line held by N.R., 8 a.m._ N = _Mehlokazulu killed here_ _Enemy; after being repulsed at G, fled to forest near waterfall, also to Dobo (pear-shaped) forest_]