Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead, | ketry, I awoke to find my Zulu friend,
with only one hundred and thirty men, Jim, calling me to get up, as the Koos
gallantly held their own during the wanted to start early. To watch the
long afternoon and night of January inspanning of the oxen over our morn-
22nd and 23rd, 1879, after the fearful ing cup of coffee is a very interesting
disaster at Isandhlwana, against about sight. Each ox has its own name, to
four thousand Zulus of the Undi Corps which it answers by trotting up to its
under the famous Zulu general, Debu-yoke. One is Salisbury, another Koos,
lamanzi. As we approach the mission and another Tagati (Wizard). Pres-
station we were saluted by a Zulu ently all are yoked up, and with a
servant of the missionary, who con- "Yak, yak, trek," from the Hottentot
ducted us up to the house, where we driver, the oxen strain and pull, and
were kindly received by one of the the great, tent-covered wagons ramble
staff, who showed us a collection of on their way over the veldt to Isandhl-
assegais, shields, cartridges, and guns, wana. It is impossible to describe the
that had been collected in and around journey without the aid of the poet's
the defences. In front of the first line pen. Now we are travelling over the
of defence - only a low, stone wall veldt, like great seas of grass-land;
behind which, on the day of the fight, now we enter some deep cleft in the
were piled biscuit-boxes, are the Zulu mountains, to emerge again upon some
graves; some three hundred men are seldom-trodden path round the base of
buried here. Here it was that the a spur of the N'qutu Hills. Here
famous Undi Corps of Ketchwayo's
army made their most determined
charge, driving the defenders into the
second line of biscuit-boxes and mealie
bags, which formed a sort of last cit-
adel for the defenders. Near here is
the graveyard of those who fell or died
of their wounds, in the centre of which
stands a neat, stone obelisk, on which
are carved the names of the soldiers,
surmounted by a stone laurel-wreath | a summer field. The cattle of the
with the number of the regiment on it.
Very quiet and peaceful it all looks.
It is difficult to imagine the tempestu-
ous scenes enacted round this secluded
spot, to adequately picture a defence
which has sent its echoes round the
civilized world, and a heroism which
has added another page of fame to the
records of the British army.

My companion had almost to drag me away from this entrancing spot. However, as it was getting late, and he had to see to his wagons and goods, I was forced to go; but not before I had promised my kind friend at the mission station that I would visit him on my return from my long trek through Zululand. The wagon having arrived, we determined to start for Isandhlwana in the morning. So retiring again to Mr. L's hospitable wagon to dream of Zulu charges and volleys of mus

there breaks upon our view the first clear sight of the famous mountain of Isandhlwana. Like a great closed hand, it towers to the sky, a fitting monument for all time for those who sleep beneath its shade. The wagon road here dips down into a deep valley watered by a long and winding stream, on whose banks nestle the numerous Zulu kraals, like magnified beehives in

Zulus, dotted here and there, complete the picture, tended by bright young Zulu lads, who rise at our approach, and give us the dignified and picturesque Zulu salute. Standing with one arm raised, they drone out their “Sagu bone inkoos" (I see you, chief), and with a" Ho, umfan" (O, boy), we pass across the stream and mount the slope, down which flew the few survivors from the terrible fight. Noticing dotted here and there small piles of stones, I asked my companion what they were for. He said, "Each of those mounds marks the grave of a British soldier, and this "-pointing to our right" is the way to Fugitives' Drift, down which fled the panic-stricken survivors of the Natal native contingent on January 22nd, 1879."

On the top of the pass, to our left, is a great mound, marking the spot where

Colonel Durnford is supposed to have had seen the sun rise in all its splen-
been killed fighting to the last against dor, few lived to see it rise again. A
overwhelming odds, and to the right a Zulu, one of our servants, told me that
great circle of stones marks the last they had no intention of attacking on
stand of the gallant 24th Regiment- the 22nd of January, as they had not
those brave red soldiers, as the Zulus been mootied (medicined), but that the
say, who knew how to die. Sur- Umcitu Regiment brought on the bat-
rounded by the Nodwengu, Nokenke, tle by capturing some cattle which had
Umcitu, and Undi Regiments, they strayed near their lines, whereon they
fought it out to the death. When am- were attacked by some mounted men
munition was all expended, they plied (Durnford's Basutos) whom they drove
the bayonet and the butt, and fell with back, and with the Nokenke Regiment
their faces to the foc. No quarter was charged across the stream which flows
asked or given, and to their memory along the front of the British position,
there stands this only a circle of becoming engaged with some soldiers
stones. Could a more befitting monu- who were holding the donga in their
ment be erected? I think not, for front. Advancing slowly and in perfect
that circle proclaims how British sol- order so as to give time to the wings to
diers can fight and die in defence of close round the British, he said there
their country, flag, and queen. From was great confusion in the white man's
where we stand the whole battlefield camp, but the fire from the guns caused
is laid out before us like a map. Far them to fall back in great disorder,
away to our left the mission station literally ploughing lines through their
nestling amidst the trees marks the closely formed columns. Thyingwayo,
spot where the Nodwengu Regiment their commander, rushed among them
of the Zulus rushed down upon the and rallied them, and with cries of
Natal native contingent carrying death" U'zulu" they again charged, this
and destruction like a great wave of time breaking into the camp, they be-
the sea before them. And on
our gau to assegai all they met, and with
front, about a mile away to the right frightful losses reached the guns,
of the wagon-road, the store of Mr. B. which the gunners and drivers tried to
marks the place near which Durnford's limber up, but they were overtaken,
Basutos made their last gallant stand. and after a gallant stand put to the
From the hillock behind the store Thy-assegai. Now he said the white men
ingwayo directed the attack of the left were fighting in groups back to back,
horn of the Zulu army upon the 24th and "our hearts had turned to water,
Regiment. Half-way up the side of and we should have run, had not rein-
Isandhlwana's steep slopes, another forcements come up with which to
cairn marks the last stand of the brave renew the attack. Oh how those
Natal Carabiniers, a regiment of volun- white men fought we could not break
teers from fair Natal who fell before their circle; lifting the dead bodies of
the furious rushes of the Myomi- those around us, we hurled them upon
Mhlopi, Nodwengu, and Udhaluku the bayonets of the soldiers, only to be
Regiments of the Zulus, but not before driven back again and again, till at last
the slopes of the hills were slippery the fire of the white men began to
with the blood of hundreds of Ketch- slacken, and with a yell of "Bulula
wayo's fierce warriors, who stood back Umlunga," (kill the white men), we
aghast at a bravery in no wise inferior rushed upon them till we had killed
to their own. Night drawing on, drew them all. Very few of us went back
kindly veil over Isandhlwana's to the king with Debulamanzi, Thy-
heights, shutting out for a few brief
hours the scenes of man's evil passions.
And so ended the fatal 22nd January,
1879. Of the two thousand British and
allies and twenty thousand Zulus who

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ingwayo, and Mavumingwana. "Our
hearts had turned to water," so, after
sacking the wagons and hearing that
some more white men were coming
(Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Flynn

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returning from the fight near Matyanas | in memory of the three brave men who stronghold, evening, January 22nd, gave their lives in its defence.

1879), most of us made our way to our kraals. My regiment had over half killed, and we were surprised such a handful of white men could fight as they did.

The wagons having now reached the store, I rode back, glad for a short time to lose the sight of this fatal field, as the sun, like a great ball of blood, sank behind Isandhlwana's rugged crest.

From Chambers' Journal. A "MYSTERY PLAY" IN THE BLACK COUNTRY.

AMONG the thousands who saw and millions who read of the world-re

Ammergau, there were probably but few who thought of the religious drama as a living institution in the very centre of England. It is nevertheless a fact that in the "Black Country" of South Staffordshire the Mystery or Miracle Play is to be seen flourishing in rejuvenated vigor, conducted in a distinctly religious spirit, and enjoying no little popularity.

As our wagons slowly trecked along the road to Mr. B.'s store, I rode about with Jim, the Zulu, examining each point of this fatal field, and listening to his tales of the fight, not got without a good deal of pumping. Here, he said, some way in front of Isandhlwana Hill, were the wagons, where one of the white men stood with his back against nowned “Passion Play " of Ober one of them and defended himself with an axe till one of the Zulus crept under the wagon and stabbed him from behind. To the right of the wagon road, about a mile from the hill, is a deep donga or gulley, where Durnford's mounted Basutos died side by side with their white officers, and here also died Captain Shepstone trying to save his chief. Again to the left, looking back up the road, we see the spot where We had long been deeply interested Colonel Pulleine, calling to Lieutenant in some of the byways of popular Melville, said, "You, as senior lieuten- sacred literature, finding food for ant, will take the colors, and make the profitable reflection in the rude relibest of your way from here!" He gious ballads of the peasantry, and revthen shook Melville's hand, and turn-elling in the Coventry and Townley ing to his men, said, "Men of the Mysteries; when we chanced upon an 24th, here we stand to fight it out to advertisement of "The Sacred Drama the end." And here died a gallant of Absalom," to be performed by officer with his men of the Old War-teachers and scholars of a Sundaywickshire. Lieutenants Melville, Cog- school about six miles from Birminghill, and Private Williams, gallantly cut ham. It was Gunpowder Day; and their way through the Zulu host with we journeyed to the scene of action their precious charge, only to give up through a region alarmingly suggestive their brave lives on the Natal side of of Dante's Inferno, amidst a drizzling the Buffalo River. The flag for which rain that might have ensured the they had done so much, was found harmlessness of Guy Fawkes and all among some rocks near where their his magazine. Ascending an outside bodies lay, and with most solemn pa- stairway, we found ourselves in an rade given into the hands of the sur- irregularly shaped room, lighted by viving portion of the 24th Regiment at half-a-dozen gas burners, and crowded Helpmaakar. They had not died in to its utmost capacity with about two vain, for by their courage and devotion | hundred and thirty persons, who had to their duty, they had set an example paid threepence or sixpence each for to the world of how Britons will die in admission. There was a sprinkling of defence of their glorious flag. This boys and girls, a large proportion of flag was afterwards presented to her women, and a good number of men Majesty at Osborne, where she tied a colliers, iron-workers, and the like: a wreath of immortelles to its staff-head | bonâ-fide working-class audience. At

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Tamar had endured her wrongs in silence; dream or no dream, she shall

messenger, now regularly installed as Absalom's servant. With much unnecessary display of swords, he is instructed when and how to kill Amnon.

one end of the room was a permanent | harboring revengeful passions. They platform, about a foot high. This retire; Absalom, awaking, soliloserved for a stage. It was screened quizes; he has had a strange dream, off with coarse ticking, the stripes run- but what of that? For two years ning horizontally, of which the middle portion being drawn up revealed a set of side-wings of red glazed calico. be avenged. Lights up. Enter the There being no footlights, the stage was lighted by two gas burners from above. At the back were two windows, shaded with lace curtains; between them hung a mirror, which was re- Scene 3-The two servants, in their moved when the action was supposed shirt-sleeves, but each with a sword at to be out of doors. With one excep- his side, are spreading a table with eattion, there was no attempt at scenery. ables, knives and forks, plates, glasses, On the rising of the curtain we see and jugs. One remarks that Amnon's the entire company grouped upon the time is drawing near; the other prostage; they are young people, ranging poses to warn him; the first, with an in age from sixteen to twenty-five, fair | ominous grip of his sword, bids his samples of the rude, plain-spoken, but fellow "keep a still tongue in his warm-hearted lads and lasses of the village. The superintendent is a respectable elderly man, well known as an effective though uncultured preacher. He announces a familiar hymn, which is heartily sung to an excruciating tune, well accompanied, however, by a working man on a fairly good harmonium. He next calls on one of the company to offer prayer, after which an extempore prologue invites attention to the moral teaching of what is to follow. The preliminaries conclude with a song of the conventional Sunday-school type, on the duty of obedience to parents; the curtain descends, and a musical interlude fills up the time while the stage is arranged for the first scene.

head." Enter Absalom as before, and warns the servant that if he fail in his task it will be at his peril. Sundry guests enter, in ordinary dress, with the addition of belts and swords; Amnon is conspicuous from wearing his hat, a hard felt. Absalom salutes them all, and Amnon in particular. The sit at table, eat and drink, and talk of sheep and crops the talk being extemporized. Several toasts are drunk, and the scene is protracted to a wearisome length. Ultimately, Amnon, being well plied with wine, becomes unmistakably drunk; and at a signal from Absalom, the servants kill him. General scramble and much flashing of swords, and the guests retire in confusion. Absalom, standing sword in hand over the body of Amnon, exclaims, "Now, my sister, thou art avenged."

In a few minutes the play begins. Absalom's servant, in his shirt-sleeves and a white apron, admits a messenger in black coat and vest, who brings a private message for the prince. Enter Scene 4-The wise woman of Tekoa, Absalom, in a robe of pink glazed in a black straw hat with a wide brim, calico; to him the messenger hints, in tête-à-tête with Joab, in a dark frockmanner sufficiently intelligible to those familiar with the Bible narrative, but scarcely to others, the wrong that Amnon has done to his sister Tamar. Absalom, sword in hand, swears the death of Amnon.

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Scene 2- Absalom asleep on a couch; stage dark. Enter three angels in white, who sing to the "Spanish Chant," a song about the danger of

coat buttoned up to the chin, a cap with a red band, and two medals on his breast. He instructs her as to the disguise in which she is to speak a parable to David.

Scene 5-David, in a red tunic with white facings, shawl-pattern dressinggown, and gilt-paper crown, is sitting moodily at a table. Unseen voices sing to the tune of "Happy Land;"

the burden of their song is, "David, | tirement of the stranger, enter several forgive; " but David soliloquizes, "Ab- conspirators in buttoned coats, belts, salom, beware." Enter the woman of and caps. They salute Absalom, and Tekoa, in widow's weeds. She, by a are instructed to extol him every where parable, pleads for the pardon of Absa- as a radical reformer. No sooner have lom. Joab is summoned, to whom the conspirators departed than a mesDavid gives permission to bring Absa-senger enters, announcing that everylom back to Jerusalem, but will not see where "the hearts of the men of Israel his face. The whole dialogue in this are after Absalom.” Re-enter the scene was taken verbatim from the conspirators; and after two or three Bible, and was so well recited that at sentences from them to the same effect, the close of the widow's speech we were conscious of an unusual moisture about the eyes; but what followed was exceedingly ludicrous.

Absalom says: "Let them sound the drums and proclaim me king." There is a prodigious drumming behind the wings; the conspirators salute, and Scene 6-To Absalom enters a ser- cry: "God save King Absalom!" vant, who narrates the burning of Almost before the rattle of the drums Joab's corn; he has come in all haste, has ceased, another messenger appears, after obeying his master in this busi-announcing the flight of David; to ness, and " expects Joab and his ser- which Absalom replies: ""Tis better vants are after him." Presently, thus; now are we king indeed." another servant announces the coming Scene 9 suggests the encampment of of Joab, who complains of wanton David; at least there is a Lilliputian damage. Absalom appeases him, and tent in the middle of the stage, formed gains his promise to endeavor to bring of a white sheet thrown over રી about a complete reconciliation with painter's easel. Joab and a number the king. of David's followers come marching on, and Joab asks if there is any news from Jerusalem. Zadok the priest is announced; there is nothing distinctive in his costume. Then enters David, dressing-gown, gilt-paper crown, etc., as before. He dismisses Zadok, with instructions to employ his son Ahimaaz as messenger. Hushai the Archite is also directed to offer his services to the usurper.

Scene 7 exhibits the reconciliation; it is little more than a tableau, the attitudes apparently studied from a picture of "The Prodigal's Return."

Scene 8 presents a grotesque specimen, the only one, of the scene-painter's art. Absalom, in his pink calico robe and a black felt hat, is seated, reading, ou a cane-bottomed chair" beside the way of the gate.” The gate, which is closed, is of practicable height, apparently about eighteen inches wide, and located near the inner angle of two bright red brick walls; while in one of these, just over Absalom's chair, is a window of six small panes, resembling that of a larder or dairy. Enter a stranger in ordinary dress, who proves to be a suitor, weary of the law's delay. The conversation between him and Absalom is so slavishly copied from the elliptical narrative in the Bible, that nobody learns who the stranger is, whence he comes, or what is his business. Nevertheless, Absalom, who knows no more about him than the audience, assures him that "his matters are good and right." On the re

Scene 10- Absalom, in pink robe and felt hat, is surrounded by his friends, conspicuous among whom is Ahithophel (pronounced Ay-it-tóe-piel). Hushai the Archite (ch as in church) tenders his submission. A council of war is held, and the contradictory opinions of Ahithophel and Hushai are given, the latter having the preference. The entire dialogue is verbatim from the Bible. As the council breaks up, Hushai lags behind; and to Zadok, who enters at the same moment, he briefly reports what has passed, urging that a message should be sent to David, bidding him hasten over Jordan.

Scene 11 shows the tent, as before; Joab and soldiers marching around.