ched on the shoulder, while Carhayes got a rap on the
knuckles, which in cold blood would have turned him almost sick with
pain. But his blood was at boiling point now, and he was fighting with
the despairing ferocity of one who has no hope left in life. He pressed
his gigantic adversary with such vigour and determination that the other
had no alternative but to give way.

The fun was waxing fast and furious now. The warriors crowding in
nearer and nearer, pressed forward in breathless attention, encouraging
their champion with many a deep-toned hum of applause when he scored or
seemed likely to score a point. The few women then in the kraal stood
on tiptoe, trying to peer over the heads and shoulders of the armed men.
Even the chiefs and councillors condescended to show considerable
interest in this impromptu tournament, while Eustace Milne, animated by
various motives, watched its progress narrowly.

For a few moments it really seemed that the white man would prove the
victor. Before the impetuosity of his furious attacks Hlangani was
constrained to give way more and more. A Beserk ferocity seemed to have
taken possession of Carhayes. His eyes glared through the blood and
dust which clung to his unwashen visage. Every hair of his beard seemed
to bristle and stand upright, like the mane of a wild boar. His chest
heaved, and the dexterity with which he whirled his kerrie around his
adversary's ears--always quick to ward the latter's blows from himself--
was wonderful to behold.

Crash--scroosh! The blow told. A sound as of the crunching of bone.
Hlangani staggered back half a dozen paces, the blood pouring from a
wound in his skull. It was a blow that would probably have shattered
the skull of a white man.

But before Carhayes could follow it up, the wily savage adopted a
different plan. By a series of astonishing leaps and bounds, now
backward, now from side to side, he endeavoured to bewilder his enemy,
and very nearly succeeded. Mad with rage, desperation, and a
consciousness of failing strength, Carhayes was fast losing control over
himself. He roared like a wild animal. He began to strike out wildly,
leaving his guard open. This the cunning barbarian saw and encouraged.
Those looking on had no doubt now as to who held the winning cards; even
Eustace could see it, but his cousin was too far off now to hear a word
of warning or advice, which, however, was just as well for himself.

Again the com