Again, who could have anticipated the attack? We have it from the lips of a Zulu that the onset was unpremeditated, and the result of accident. With all humbleness, let it be confessed that-- "Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well When our deep plots do fail; and that should teach us There's a divinity that shapes our ends Rough hew them as we will." Another question, often asked, is, "Why did not Lord Chelmsford, immediately on his return, make a counter-attack on the enemy." First of all he had to wait for Colonel Glyn and the main body to come up to him. Meanwhile darkness had come on. When Glyn arrived he did advance with his troops formed up for action, and with the intention of re-taking the camp, which he had every reason to suppose was occupied by the enemy. The event proved they had abandoned it. Was not this a good reason for striking a blow? Let the facts of the case be well borne in mind. Lord Chelmsford knew that there was a large force in his rear; the force that had sacked the camp was supposed, and reasonably enough, to be on the right flank. In front were the bright watchfires of another force, and the blazing hospital at Rorke's Drift, which, together with Helpmakaar, there was every ground to believe had been captured and looted by the foe; in a word, his force was surrounded. The men had only fifty rounds of ammunition apiece; they had been twenty-four hours without food; they were physically exhausted by eighteen hours' continuous marching, and no less morally by the loss of their camp; their probabilities of escape were distant. How could a general lead troops in such a condition against a foe flushed and elated with spoil and recent victory? CHAPTER III. Ekowe described--The fort--Guard for the frontier--Raid on Dabulamanzi's Kraal--Another raid--Life in Ekowe--Wood at Potter's Kraal--Capture of Baglusini--Skirmish and capture of cattle--Destruction of Manyanyoba Kraal--Colonel Rowlands--Capture of Makatees Kop--Junction with Wood--Camp at Kambula--Coming in of Oham--Disaster at Intombi Drift--Death of Moriarty--Rescue of Oham's wives and people--Events that led to the attack on Umbelini--The Zlobani--The attack--Details--Death of Campbell--Narrow escape of Wood--Death of Weatherly--St. Helena and H.M.S. "Shah." We must now return to Pearson, whom we left entrenching himself at Ekowe.