NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MR. RHODES has won. He has an admirable sub- ordinate in Dr. Jameson, he is evidently obeyed with delight or fear by all colonists in South Africa, and his arrangements for the campaign against Lobengula have been crowned with success. His two columns tramped forward steadily towards Bulawayo, entrenching themselves in their waggons every night like Roman armies, and though always watched and threatened, were never attacked till they had effected their junction. Then, on October 24th, Lobengula in person flung his four best regiments, or 5,000 men in all, upon the "laager" defended by 800 men. The attack seems to have been designed with a mad rashness born of nearly a century of victory. The Matabele charged the waggons three times bravely, reaching in one instance within forty feet of them, but they could not get though the rain of bullets from the Maxim guns and repeating rifles. They fell in swathes, and at last retreated in such disorder that the cavalry were let out after them, and with their revolvers made the fight a rout. The columns marched on to Bulawayo, which they found nearly deserted, and were then joined by the Imperial force from Bechuanaland, under Major Goold-A.danis. This force had no share in the fighting, but had rendered direct and important service by inducing Lobengula to despatch half his men to arrest their advance. The Matabele chief is supposed to have fled to the hills, and it is imagined may fight again, but that is improbable. A military despotism like his lives on victory, and every man's hand will be against the defeated tyrant.
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