ce for several years,
and the same method must be resorted to again.

This was the decision arrived at; and, on reaching his own kraal, Macora
at once put the design into execution.

The cattle were hastily collected and driven off, while the men, women,
and children started after them, each carrying a load of household
utensils, elephants' teeth, and such other property as could be
conveniently removed in such a hasty decampment. The women, children,
and cattle were sent on in advance, while Macora and his warriors
followed behind as a rear-guard, to protect them against any surprise.

Some time would be required in crossing the Limpopo, and, as the
distance to the nearest drift was about five miles, there could be
danger of an attack before all could effect the crossing of the stream.
This fear was fully realised. The ford was not a safe one; and there
was great difficulty in getting some of the cattle to take it: many of
them had to be assisted in landing on the opposite bank. All this
required time; and, before the crossing was completed an alarm was
given. The Matabili were coming up in the rear.

So accustomed were Moselekatse's warriors to success in any engagement,
that they made no halt before commencing hostilities, although not more
than two hundred of them had got forward upon the ground.

Armed with assegais, and defended with shields, they rushed forward with
hideous yells, exhibiting an insatiate thirst for blood that can only be
acquired by long familiarity with deeds of violence.

But although the Makololo had fled from their home without striking a
blow in its defence, they now proved themselves warriors in the true
sense of the word.

Rushing to the encounter, they met the Matabili hand to hand, and in the
conflict that followed both parties fought with the fury of demons. One
might have supposed that Macora's principal object was the protecting of
his white friends. From the behaviour of his men it was evident that he
had commanded them to keep between the young hunters and the enemy. But
the opportunity for practising a little of their own profession was not
lost upon the two young soldiers Hendrik and Arend. They were foremost
to fire on the Matabili; though their example was quickly followed by
Willem and Hans, who took their first sight at the body of a human being
along the barrel of a gun.

As the four pieces were discharged, a like number of Moselekatse's men
went to the earth