Umslopogaas
the Slaughterer burned red beneath the black when he heard it, and he
shook Groan-Maker towards their host.

"Ye shall sing another song before this sun is set," he cried, and
strode along the ranks speaking to this man and that by name, and
lifting up their hearts with great words.

Now the Halakazi raised a shout, and charged to come at the young men
led by Galazi the Wolf; but beyond the foot of the slope was peaty
ground, and they came through it heavily, and as they came Galazi and
the young men fell upon them and slew them; still, they could not hold
them back for long, because of their great numbers, and presently the
battle ranged all along the slope. But so well did Galazi handle the
young men, and so fiercely did they fight beneath his eye, that before
they could be killed or driven back all the force of the Halakazi was
doing battle with them. Ay, and twice Galazi charged with such as he
could gather, and twice he checked the Halakazi rush, throwing them into
confusion, till at length company was mixed with company and regiment
with regiment. But it might not endure, for now more than half the young
men were down, and the rest were being pushed back up the hill, fighting
madly.

But all this while Umslopogaas and the veterans sat in their ranks upon
the brow of the slope and watched. "Those Swazi dogs have a fool for
their general," quoth Umslopogaas. "He has no men left to fall back
on, and Galazi has broken his array and mixed his regiments as milk and
cream are mixed in a bowl. They are no longer an impi, they are a mob."

Now the veterans moved restlessly on their haunches, pushing their legs
out and drawing them in again. They glanced at the fray, they looked
into each other's eyes and spoke a word here, a word there, "Well
smitten, Galazi! Wow! that one is down! A brave lad! Ho! a good club is
the Watcher! The fight draws near, my brother!" And ever as they spoke
their faces grew fiercer and their fingers played with their spears.

At length a captain called aloud to Umslopogaas:--

"Say, Slaughterer, is it not time to be up and doing? The grass is wet
to sit on, and our limbs grow cramped."

"Wait awhile," answered Umslopogaas. "Let them weary of their play. Let
them weary, I tell you."

As he spoke the Halakazi huddled themselves together, and with a rush
drove back Galazi and those who were left of the young men. Yes, at last
they were forced to flee, and after them came the Swa