the next morning, the zulus approach to within several hundred yards and begin a war chant; the british respond by singing the welsh song "men of harlech". in the final assault, just as it seems the zulus will finally overwhelm the tired defenders, the british soldiers fall back to a small redoubt constructed out of mealie bags. with a reserve of soldiers hidden within the redoubt, they form into three ranks and fire volley after volley, inflicting heavy casualties; the zulus retreat. after a pause of three hours, the zulus re-form on the oscarberg. resigned to another assault, the british are astonished when the zulus instead sing a song to honour the bravery of the defenders before departing.