Chard pointed to the north and west walls.  It appeared that while they were busy dealing with the attack from the south, more Zulu units had moved into position and were beginning to advance.

To the north, three fresh units of 20 Zulu each, armed with a mix of muskets and spears, were deploying through the heavy brush.  Once they cleared the trees, they would be only a few yards from the north wall of the compound, although they would have to clamber over a ridge which would slow them a little.  Still, even if they chose not to assault the mealie bag wall, they could open up a heavy fire with their muskets - enough to allow an assault on another section of the compound to succeed.

Meanwhile the the west and south, the Zulu had reorganized and were approaching at the run. Bromhead ordered his men to open up with volley after volley, but it appeared that they Zulu would be able to close this time.  Schiess and the two soldiers in the hospital continued to pour fire into the approaching from the south, adding the weight of their fire to that of the men defending the southern wall.

Bromhead feared that the west wall would soon be overrun; in spite of the large quantity of lead he was hurling at the Zulu, their approach seemed unstoppable.  He ordered an orderly retreat by ranks into the center of the compound.

Not wanting to miss out on the action, Corporal Schiess hobbled out of the building in time to join Bromhead's men in a volley against the Zulu, who were by now clambering over the western wall.  The well timed volley dropped several of the natives, who dropped back and became content to just take pot shots at the retreating British.

Meanwhile, several of the Zulu occupying the exterior corner of the hospital began attempting to set the building on fire.  They threw several burning brands up into the thatch, and after some time, the roof began to burn. . .

As the arsonists applied their trade, the remaining Zulu around the building attempted to fire into the hospital through the loop holes, but with no effect.

The retreating British were heading back in good order when the musket armed Zulu actually managed to find their targets.  Having suffered almost 50% casualties, the small British unit decided to hurry its withdrawal and bolted back to the center of the compound, leaving only Corporal Schiess and the two soldiers in the hospital to hold the western end of the outpost.

By now, it was apparent that the western end was a lost cause.  Standing up and calling out, "Fall back to the storehouse!", Chard exposed himself to the fire of the Zulu firing from Shiyane Hill.  Beating all odds, one of them managed to find his target, and Chard fell, grievously wounded by a musket ball.

As if sensing the temporary upset in British command, Zulu all around the compound began to swarm at the walls from every direction at once!  The British troopers quickly formed ranks wherever possible in an attempt to storm the tide of spears which was washing their way.  Not having time to fire, the British had to stand and take their lumps as they came.

Leveling their bayonets, they braced themselves for the shock of impact. . .

 
 
 
 
Two Zulu units leapt the back wall and hit the defenders, simultaneously overwhelming the water cart and the three men that were trying to drag it back to the storehouse.  By the northern wall, two units of British faced five units of Zulu in a fierce melee.  In the end, it was the bravery of Corporal Schiess, who bayoneted two Zulu himself, and Assistant Commissary Officer Dunn, who likewise beat off all attackers, and a few other nameless infantry that saved the moment and drove off this assault, although it cost the British more casualties than they could afford to lose.

Realizing that they must all fall back to the small compound in front of the storehouse, the men continued their retreat.  However, much to their surprise, the Zulu quickly rallied and hit them again!  This time, some of the Zulu, including another unit of White Shields, managed to work their way between the fleeing units and the storehouse.

British blood mixed with Zulu blood as the fierce melee swirled around the central compound.  Somehow, the chaplain managed to clear himself from the fray, but not before losing his helmet to a wildly swinging Zulu warrior.  Schiess was last seen swinging his rifle wildly about him as the Zulu closed around him like a tide.  Dunn too fought his last here, although the Zulu paid dearly for his life.

Once again, the British managed to beat off the Zulu attack, although their casualties were even more severe than in the previous assault.  The remaining men quickly made their way back to the walled area in front of the storehouse.

The Zulu continued to attack throughout the night.  As the hospital burned warmly at the western end of the compound, the defenders at the east end spent the time firing into the darkness at anything that moved.  The Zulu had them surrounded, but had taken severe casualties.  Would they be able to take the last part of the compound, or would the British be able to hold out until morning?

Click here for the exciting conclusion. . .