m or by drought. The curse of famine. The curse
of war. I the prophet have spoken. Depart."

Watching, I could see that this ultimatum delivered by Harut in a most
impressive voice, and seconded as it was by the sudden and simultaneous
lifting of the spears of all our escort that were within hearing,
produced a considerable effect upon the messengers. Their faces grew
afraid and they shrank a little. Evidently the "threefold curse of the
Child" suggested calamities which they dreaded. Making no answer, they
wheeled their horses about and galloped back to the force that was
gathering below as swiftly as they had come.

"We must fight, my Lord Macumazana," said Harut, "and if we would live,
conquer, as I know that we shall do."

Then he issued some orders, of which the result was that the caravan
adopted a wedge-shaped formation like to that of a great flock of
wildfowl on the wing. Harut stationed himself almost at the apex of the
triangle. I with Hans and Marut were about the centre of the line, while
Ragnall and Savage were placed opposite to us in the right line, the
whole width of the wedge being between us. The baggage camels and their
leaders occupied the middle space between the lines and were followed by
a small rear-guard.

At first we white men were inclined to protest at this separation, but
when Marut explained to us that its object was to give confidence to the
two divisions of the force and also to minimize the risk of destruction
or capture of all three of us, of course we had nothing more to say.
So we just shook hands, and with as much assurance as we could command
wished each other well through the job.

Then we parted, poor Savage looking very limp indeed, for this was his
first experience of war. Ragnall, however, who came of an old fighting
stock, seemed to be happy as a king. I who had known so many battles,
was the reverse of happy, for inconveniently enough there flashed into
my mind at this juncture the dying words of the Zulu captain and seer,
Mavovo, which foretold that I too should fall far away in war; and I
wondered whether this were the occasion that had been present to his
foreseeing mind.

Only Hans seemed quite unconcerned. Indeed I noted that he took the
opportunity of the halt to fill and light his large corn-cob pipe, a bit
of bravado in the face of Providence for which I could have kicked him
had he not been perched in his usual monkey fashion on the top of a very
tall camel.