cks, or so fiendish in their wholesale butchery of those who
resented the ruin and devastation of their homes. It was therefore
scarcely surprising that this brigandish horde, whose power even European
nations failed to break, should throw themselves into the conflict with
reckless enthusiasm, and repel our attack by the exertion of every
muscle.

In point of numbers we were much inferior; our superiority existed only
in our arms. Their old-fashioned bronze field-pieces, flint-lock pistols
and long-barrelled Arab guns, although deadly weapons in the hands of
such expert shots, proved no match against such irresistible appliances
as the Maxim, the Hotchkiss, or the modern English-made rifle. This fact
very soon became apparent, for although the fierce battle raged for many
hours, and Samory himself, in yellow robe, and mounted upon a snow-white
stallion, gorgeously caparisoned, could be seen urging on his hordes to
valiant deeds, we nevertheless everywhere made a firm stand at various
points of vantage, and by no effort were they able to dislodge us.

When the sun rose, red and fiery through the veil of smoke, the
increasing weakness of the defence was visibly demonstrated by the manner
in which the entrance to the Kasbah was guarded. The great doors of iron
were closed and barred securely, and on the walls the crimson fezes of
the defenders showed in profusion, but presently Kona, as we drove back
the soldiers of Al-Islam almost for the hundredth time, shouted the order
to storm the citadel. With one accord we made a mad, reckless rush an
instant later, and carried on by the thousands of my comrades behind, I
found myself slashing to right and left under the high, sun-blanched
walls of the enormous fortress. Kona, appearing a giant even among his
tall Dagombas, gave one the impression in those critical moments of a
veritable demon, filled as he was with a mad excitement and knowing that
upon the success of our assault depended the result of the expedition.
Towering above his fellows, his long spear in hand, he seemed to lead a
charmed existence, swaying to and fro among whistling bullets, whizzing
arrows, flashing swords and whirring spears. His own weapon he dyed in
the blood of his adversaries times without number, for where he struck he
never failed to kill. His aim was unerring, and his courage that of a
lion of his native forest.

In those furious moments I escaped death only by a miracle. As I dashed
forward to