The event of the week in Natal has been the
battle fought last Sunday morning, in which Colonel Mackenzie defeated a large force of Sigananda's men, killing over three hundred rebels and his chief induna, Meblokazulu. Bambaata escaped, and rejoined Sigananda. Our losses were one officer killed— Captain Macfarlane, of the Transvaal Mounted Rifles—and eight men wounded. On Wednesday it was officially announced that Sigananda and his son had surrendered. Irregular troops continue to be raised throughout South Africa, and the con- centration against Bambaata proceeds. There seems to be no doubt that the rebels have received a severe check, and Colonel Mackenzie is of opinion that the capture of the ring- leader would end the trouble. Meanwhile the attitude of Dinizulu remains a mystery. It was announced that the Government had summoned him to Pietermaritzburg ; again, that he had himself volunteered a visit ; and now it appears that ill-health detains him, but that he is sending several of his most trusted indunas to discuss the situation. We may be doing him an injustice, but his conduct suggests a policy not uncommon among certain Highland Lords in the 'Forty- five, by which they endeavoured to keep on good terms with the Government till they saw how far the rebellion was likely
to succeed.
