On the 11th, the General writes: “Both Colonel Wood and Major Russell took a good number of Sirayo’s cattle this morning, which we found quietly grazing along our line of advance.” And again: “Several hundred head of cattle, etc. were taken by Nos. 3 and 4 Columns on the 11th. This I considered desirable on political grounds, as they all belonged to Usirayo, as well as from military necessities” (_ibid._ pp. 43-46). It is rather difficult to reconcile this commencement of operations with the words “The British Government has no quarrel with the Zulu people;” or with the General’s message to the Zulu king (through Mr. Fynney, Border Agent, and the Zulu messengers Sintwangu and Umpepa, December 29th, 1878) ... “if all the demands are not complied with the troops will advance. That such advance will not be directed against the Zulu nation, but against the King....”—(P. P. [C. 2308] p. 39). On the 12th January, No. 3 Column first came into contact with the Zulus. The General made a reconnaissance in the Bashi Valley and towards Izipezi Hill. Sihayo’s people were seen driving the cattle to the shelter of the hills, “as, however,” the General says, “it is well known that we had made a distinct demand for the punishment of the sons of this chief, and that his clan was one of the bravest and most warlike of the Zulu nation, I considered it very desirable to punish them at once by capturing their cattle.” The Ingqutu Mountain was occupied by infantry, when “a fire was opened upon them by the Zulus, who were occupying very strong positions in the caves and rocks above.” An officer present states that the actual first shot was from the side of the British, but this is not of great importance, as it is impossible to imagine the Zulus could have been expected to look calmly on, whilst their cattle were being captured. After about half-an-hour’s fight the cattle and horses were taken. The mounted force was likewise engaged higher up the mountain. Our loss, 2 Native Contingent killed and 12 wounded. The loss inflicted on the enemy, 30 killed, 4 wounded, and 10 prisoners; the cattle, etc. taken, 13 horses, 413 cattle, 332 goats, and 235 sheep.—(P. P. [C. 2242] pp. 47, 48). These first steps in Zululand have been given in considerable detail, as they afford much food for reflection on the contrast between “words” and “deeds.” CHAPTER XIII. ISANDHLWANA. Having crossed into Zululand, the “difficulties ... in the way of those who are endeavouring to move forward into an enemy’s country, over tracts which have never been traversed, except by a very few traders’ waggons,”[121] began to declare themselves; and Lord Chelmsford remarks, January 16th: “No. 3 Column at Rorke’s Drift cannot possibly move forward even eight miles until two swamps, into which our waggons sank up to the body, have been made passable. This work will occupy us for at least four days, and we shall find similar obstacles in front of us in every march we are anxious to make.”