As soon as the news was known, the Cabinet met,
and it- was resolved to take the most energetic action, and double the force at Lord Chelmsford's disposal. A battalion at the Mau- ritius had already been sent for by Lord Chelmsford ; orders were sent to the 57th, in Ceylon, to sail for Durban ; a requisition for any disposable troops was telegraphed to Bombay, and seven in- fantry regiments and two regiments of cavalry now at home, with artillery and engineers, were warned for service in South Africa. Transport was engaged from the great Steam Companies, and the supplies for a small coops d' armee of 8,000 men were ordered from the arsenals. It is believed, however, that three weeks must elapse before the last reinforcements are fairly on their -way, and it will be two months before they are actually on the Tugela, although 2,000 men-800 now at the Cape, 800 in Ceylon, and 400 in the Mauritius—will arrive much earlier, perhaps before the 25th of this month. Lord Chelmsford's force is believed to be strong enough to protect Natal, but still there is extreme anxiety, as six weeks will have elapsed between the disaster and the landing of the first reinforcements, and as the Zulus may break through the British line and ravage the colony, forcing all colonists to retreat upon Pietermaritzburg and Port Natal. Most of the young colonists fit for service are in the field already, and the remainder can hardly do more than gar- rison the cities, and protect the districts indispensable for the collection of supplies. It is possible, however, or probable, that the.Zulus, instead of attacking Natal, may pour into the Trans- vaal, where they have long wished to acquire territory, or may quietly await our next attempt to advance.
