Mak, tell them now that I'm going to continue the speech
which this little review interrupted."

"They's all ready for more, massa."

This was patent to the meanest capacity; for the negroes stood gazing at
their commander-in-chief with eyes and mouths and ears open, and
nostrils expanded, as if anxious to gulp in and swallow down his words
through every organ.

"There is a cry," said Jack, "which the white man gives when he enters
into battle--a terrible cry, which is quite different from that of the
black man, and which is so awful that it strikes terror into the heart
of the white man's enemies, and has even been known to make a whole army
fly almost without a shot being fired. We shall let you hear it."

Thereupon Jack and I and Peterkin gave utterance to a cheer of the most
vociferous description, which evidently filled the minds of the natives
with admiration.

"Now," resumed Jack, "I wish my black warriors to try that cheer--"

Some of the black warriors, supposing that the expression of this wish
was a direct invitation to them to begin, gave utterance to a terrific
howl.

"Stay! stop!" cried Jack, holding up his hand.

Every mouth was closed instantly.

"You must cheer by command. I will say `Hip, hip, hip!' three times; as
soon as I say the third `hip,' out with the cry. Now then. Hip, hip--"

"'Popotamus," whispered Peterkin.

"Hip, hurrah!" shouted Jack.

"Hurl! ho! sh! kee! how!" yelled the savages, each man giving his own
idea of our terror-inspiring British cheer.

"That will do," said Jack quietly; "it is quite evident that the war-cry
of the white man is not suited to the throat of the black. You will
utter your usual shout, my friends, when the signal is given; but
_remember_, not before that.

"And now I come to the greatest mystery of all." (Every ear was eagerly
attentive.) "The shot and bits of metal and little stones with which
King Jambai's warriors are accustomed to kill will not do on this great
and peculiar occasion. They will not answer the purpose--my purpose;
therefore I have provided a kind of bullet which every one must use
instead of his usual shot. No warriors ever used such bullets in the
fight before. They are very precious, because I have only enough of
them to give one to each man. But that will do. If the enemy does not
fly at the first discharge, then you may load with your own shot."

So saying, Jack, with the utmost gravity, took from the pouch that