hey were also not a little tired
of the rule of Sifadu.

This Sifadu saw, and leaping up, his countenance ablaze with fury, he
came at me, his great spear aloft. So quickly was it done that I had
barely time to throw up my shield. So powerful the blow that the blade
pierced the tough bull-hide and stuck fast. Then Sifadu, following up
his attack in swift fury, struck over my shield with his knob-stick. It
was a terrible blow, and partly reached me. I felt half stunned, but
infuriate with the pain. So, with a shout, I quit defence and went at
Sifadu with a will.

A frightful commotion now arose. The friends of Sifadu would have
rushed to his aid, but that they saw that those favourable to me were
more numerous. These sprung to meet them, and all being fully armed it
looked as though a bloody battle was about to be fought. But some cried
aloud against interference, saying that the two of as should strive for
the mastery, and to this counsel I added my voice. Sifadu, though, had
no voice save to growl and grind his teeth like a maddened beast.

So we fought, we two--none hindering. Our shields flapped together, and
for a moment we were immovable--pressing each other equally hard--each
striving to run in under the guard of the other. Then the
spear-blades--Sifadu having disentangled his--would flash and glance
like threads of fire as we leaped and feinted--yet neither of us able to
drive home either stroke or stab. A silence had fallen upon the
onlookers now, and every head was bent eagerly forward. All this I
could see, while never taking my gaze from my enemy.

At last my chance came. Pretending to stumble, I threw myself forward,
and with one swift sweep of my assegai I sheared through Sifadu's leg,
gashing the thigh to the bone. He sank to the earth uttering a terrible
howl. All the muscles were divided--from the principal blood-vessels
red jets were spurting. _Whau_! He was in a sea of it. But even then,
weakening each moment, he gathered strength to hurl his great knobstick
at my face. I was prepared for this, however, and caught it on my
shield; nor did I hurry to run in and finish him, knowing that while he
could move a finger he would still gather himself together for one last
desperate slash at me.

"_Hamba-gahle_, Sifadu," I said--not mocking him. "This quarrel was not
of my seeking, but the son of Ntelani never yet refused a fight."

He made no reply, glaring at me in hate until very