d silent, in the moonlight. Nodwengo
and the captains went out to them, and as they saw him come they lifted
their spears like one man, giving him the royal salute of "King!" He
held up his hand and addressed them.

"Soldiers," he said, "we have been outwitted. My _impi_ is afar, and
that of Hafela is at our gates. Yonder in the valley, though we be
few, we can defend ourselves till succour reaches us, which already
messengers have gone out to seek. But first we must give time for the
women and children, the sick and the aged, to withdraw with food and
cattle; and this we can do in one way only, by keeping Hafela at bay
till they have passed the archway, all of them. Now, soldiers, for the
sake of your own lives, of your honour and of those you love, swear to
me, in the holy Name which we have been taught to worship, that you will
fight out this great fight without fear or faltering."

"We swear it in the holy Name, and by your head, King," roared the
regiments.

"Then victory is already ours," answered Nodwengo. "Follow me, Children
of Fire!" and shaking his great spear, he led the way towards that
portion of the outer fence upon which Hafela was advancing.

By now the town behind them was a scene of almost indescribable tumult
and confusion, for the companies detailed to the task were clearing the
numberless huts of their occupants, and collecting women, children and
oxen in thousands, preparatory to driving them into the defile. Panic
had seized many of these poor creatures, who, in imagination, already
saw themselves impaled upon the cruel spears of Hafela's troops, and
indeed in not a few instances believed those who were urging them
forward to be the enemy. Women shrieked and wrung their hands, children
wailed piteously, oxen lowed, and the infirm and aged vented their
grief in groans and cries to Heaven, or their ancient god, for mercy.
In truth, so difficult was the task of marshalling this motley array
at night, numbering as it did ten or twelve thousand souls, that a full
hour went by before the mob even began to move, slowly and uncertainly,
towards the place of refuge, whereof the opening was so narrow that but
few of them could pass it at a time.

Meanwhile Hafela was developing the attack. Forming his great army into
the shape of a wedge he raised his battle-cry and rushed down on the
first line of fortifications, which he stormed without difficulty,
for they were defended by a few skirmishers only. N