e and torture. We could not
kill them all, they were too many. We could not kill the half of them.
Now their foremost were within ten paces of us and since we must stand
up to shoot, our men began to fall, also pierced with arrows. I caused
the blast of retreat to be sounded on the ivory horn and step by step we
drew back to the crest of the ridge, shooting as we went. On the crest
we re-formed rapidly in a double line standing as close as we could
together and my example was followed all down the ranks to right and
left. Then I bethought me of a plan that I had taught these archers
again and again in Ethiopia.

With the flag I signalled a command to stop shooting and also passed the
word down the line, so that presently no more arrows flew. The Easterns
hesitated, wondering whether this were a trap, or if we lacked shafts,
and meanwhile I sent messengers with certain orders to the vanguard, who
sped away at speed behind the hill, running as they never ran before.
Presently I heard a voice below cry out,

"The Great King commands that the barbarians be destroyed. Let the
barbarians be destroyed!"

Now with a roar they came on like a flood. I waited till they were
within twenty paces of us, and shouted, "Shoot and fall!"

The first line shot and oh! fearful was its work, for not a shaft missed
those crowded hosts and many pinned two together. My archers shot and
fell down, setting new arrows to the string as they fell, whereon the
second line also shot over them. Then up we sprang and loosed again, and
again fell down, whereon the second line once more poured in its deadly
hail.

Now the Easterns stayed their advance, for their front ranks lay prone,
and those behind must climb over them if they could. Yes, standing there
in glittering groups they rocked and hesitated although their officers
struck them with swords and lances to drive them forward. Once more our
front rank rose and loosed, and once more we dropped and let the shafts
of the second speed over us. It was too much, flesh and blood could not
bear more of those arrows. Thousands upon thousands were down and the
rest began to flee in confusion.

Then at my command the ivory horns sounded the charge. Every man slung
his bow upon his back and drew his short sword.

"On to them!" I cried and leapt forward.

Like a black torrent we rushed down the hill, leaping over the dead and
wounded. The retreat became a rout since before these ebon, great-eyed
warrio