ove
and the lowing of cattle. Then, as we turned the corner of this
passage, and were expecting to rush on to the summit with a roar of
victory, lo! the way was barred by another stone wall.

Right across our path it stretched, from cliff to cliff, and the defile
was there so narrow that scarce fifty men could walk in a line. But
this time no man was eager to spring over that wall, fearing the ground
might be staked on the other side, and this, indeed, was the case, and
with longer and sharper iron points than the place we had already
passed. Moreover, these points reached back almost as far as a spear
might be thrown.

I gave orders to demolish the wall, but no sooner was the first stone
torn up than a volley of rocks was showered upon us from above, killing
several. So narrow was the passage wherein we stood that our whole
_impi_ could have been slain piecemeal by this means.

As the rocks came crashing down upon us, I noted that the brow of the
cliff, on the side whence they fell, overhung. I gave the word then for
the warriors to quit the centre way and press themselves closely against
the base of this cliff, and when this was done the stones crashed out
harmlessly, not being able to fall upon us as we stood. The bulk of the
_impi_ was in the background and beyond reach of the falling rocks.

Now, this check concerned me greatly. The only way of ascending further
was to tear down the wall and pluck up the stakes; yet every time this
was attempted a shower of great stones fell from above, killing more of
our people than these cowardly jackals had been able to slay face to
face in the open field. Standing beneath the shelter of the overhanging
cliff, I thought hard. Then my heart leaped and my blood thrilled
wildly. I had lighted upon a plan.

"Come hither, son of my father," I called, "and carry my word to the
Great Great One."

Now, whether Mgwali liked or not being sent back from the front of the
battle that I knew not, for he made no sign thereof, and herein he was
wise; for, were he ten times the son of my father, he who should have
disputed my orders at such a time would have spoken his last word. For
a few moments I whispered in my brother's ear; then, as I bade him go,
he sped away down the mountain side, running and leaping with the speed
of a buck.

So we rested beneath the shelter of the cliff for a space, taking snuff,
and laughing at the attempts made by those above to reach us with the