Hi, I got the distinct feeling reading IK recently that the Zulu force was trying to intimidate the volunteers and force them back (they were successful) so as to prevent their discovering the main body before the planned attack, thus maintaining the element of surprise. The odds would suggest that the Colonials & NNC would have been in trouble had they been attacked . They certainly thought so. A nice balance to intimidate an opponent enough to force his retreat without revealing your true strength. Tricky blighters these Zulus!