I have been on it. And there are people on it now
who can signal to the others. Now--is it not in your interest that it
should be cleared?"

"_Hau_!" cried the chief, on whom this idea came with a new light. Then
he turned, and after a rapid conference with his colleagues, agreed to
the plan, and as by this time the _impi_--less those who had fallen--had
mustered on the ridge, the word was given to advance.

And what a different appearance did they now present. Covered with dust
and sweat, many of them gashed with wounds and dripping with blood,
shields hacked and weapons splintered, still panting with the exertion
and excitement of the battle, there was none of that spick-and-span
parade-ground appearance which had characterised them during their march
upon them now. But instead there was a grim light in their eyes, a fell
meaning in the low murmurs that issued now and then from their lips, as
the growls of a wounded lion. Here a man might be seen passing his
fingers along the blade of a broad assegai, foul and clotted with blood;
there another, balancing his heavy short-handled kerrie and explaining
how he had just failed to beat down his adversary's guard; another
again, with a gash which had cut through his head-ring and sliced away a
portion of the head beneath. Others again, had lost a finger, an ear,
and Sobuza himself was wounded in three places, though not seriously.
But on every countenance there was a grim and vengeful rigidity, which
showed that when the "suppression" of the Igazipuza should come to be
proceeded with, the king's orders would be carried out in no
half-hearted manner.

Leaving a detachment on the ridge to hold the enemy in check in case he
should double back and endeavour to break through, Sobuza ordered the
advance. The Igazipuza had fled towards the further end of the hollow,
where the rocky jungly nature of the ground would be favourable to them
making their last stand, and Gerard, who had thoroughly explored the
place, was able to estimate pretty accurately the spot where this was
likely to be.

"Shall we burn it, my father?" said one of the sub-chiefs, as they
passed the great silent kraal. "It would make a merry blaze."

"And a most troublesome smoke," returned Sobuza. "Burn it not. When we
have done with these jackals we will warm ourselves by the flames of
their straw. For the present let it be."

"We are near The Tooth now, Sobuza," said Gerard. "Send the men with