Half an hour later, they were able to form an idea of their position.
They were far in what appeared to be a wide morass.

There were pools of water in some places, and it seemed almost miraculous that they should have succeeded in so far entering the swamp where, even by daylight, there scarcely seemed a yard of firm ground.

Abdool again went ahead and, step by step, the little troop followed; frequently having to turn back again, on finding the line that they were pursuing impassable.
They were still a hundred yards from what appeared to be solid ground when they heard loud shouts and, looking round, saw some fifty horsemen skirting the edge of the morass.

When they reached the point opposite to the little party, they dismounted and opened fire.

One of the troopers fell dead, and several of the horses were hit.
"There is nothing for it but to surrender, Abdool," Harry said, as some of the troopers returned the fire.
The enemy rode off for a hundred yards; and then, leaving the horses in charge of a few of their number, they returned to the edge of the morass, threw themselves down in the long coarse grass, and again opened fire.