Colonel Pearson felt it to be necessary to reduce the bread and grocery rations of the troops, but was enabled to increase the meat ration by a quarter of a pound, as a large number of cattle had been brought up with Colonel Ely’s convoy. The waggons of the troops sent back to the Tugela were officially searched, and a quantity of food, medicines, and medical comforts thus added to the stock, the two latter subsequently proving of the utmost value. All articles of luxury were eventually sold by auction, and fetched almost fabulous prices: matches were sold for 4s. a box, bottles of pickles 15s. each, and tobacco 30s. a pound! The water supply was excellent, both in quality and quantity; and in the lower part of the stream bathing-places for both officers and men were constructed; and all sanitary arrangements most carefully attended to. A waggon-laager was formed for the cattle, and every effort made to provide for the security of the fort, as we may now call it—deepening ditches, strengthening parapets, erecting stockades—all most energetically carried on under the direction of Captain Wynne, R.E. So things went on, till, on February 9th, Zulus were observed to be collecting; but nothing occurred beyond an occasional alarm. On the 11th two “runners” arrived from the Lower Tugela with a despatch[168] from the General, almost requiring Colonel Pearson to retire with half his force to the Tugela, leaving the remainder to garrison the fort. This, after a council of war, was decided not to be practicable, the country being occupied by the Zulus in force. A flying column, however, was organised, in case it became necessary to carry out what the General seemed to desire. Having questioned the messengers, and ascertained that they were willing to return on the following Saturday, Colonel Pearson sent a despatch, asking for further instructions, and saying he would be prepared to start on Sunday night at twelve o’clock if necessary. This message was twice repeated on different days, but no reply received. Alterations and improvements in the defences, to enable the fort to be held by a smaller garrison, went steadily on in spite of bad weather; ranges from 600 to 700 yards were marked round the fort, and _trous-de-loups_ and wire entanglements formed on the north, south, and east faces. On March 1st an expedition was led out by Colonel Pearson to attack a military kraal (Dabulamanzi’s) six miles distant; this was done and the kraal burnt, a smart skirmish being kept up with the Zulus during the homeward march. On the 2nd it was noticed that heliograph signals were being flashed from the Lower Tugela, but no message was made out.