the closing
of the doors. This the Black Kendah, who had raked out the burning
embers, set themselves to dig away with hands and sticks and spears, a
task that was made very difficult to them by about a score of our people
who stabbed at them with their long lances or dashed them down with
stones, killing and disabling many. But always the dead and wounded were
dragged off while others took their places, so that at last the gateway
was practically cleared. Then I called back the spearmen who passed into
the ranks behind us, and made ready to play my part.

I had not long to wait. With a rush and a roar a great company of the
Black Kendah charged the gateway. Just as they began to emerge into the
court I gave the word to fire, sending fifty Snider bullets tearing into
them from a distance of a few yards. They fell in a heap; they fell like
corn before the scythe, not a man won through. Quickly we reloaded and
waited for the next rush. In due course it came and the dreadful scene
repeated itself. Now the gateway and the tunnel beyond were so choked
with fallen men that the enemy must drag these out before they could
charge any more. It was done under the fire of myself, Hans and a few
picked shots--somehow it was done.

Once more they charged, and once more were mown down. So it went on
till our last cartridge was spent, for never did I see more magnificent
courage than was shown by those Black Kendah in the face of terrific
loss. Then my people threw aside their useless rifles and arming
themselves with spears and swords fell back to rest, leaving Harut and
his company to take their place. For half an hour or more raged that
awful struggle, since the spot being so narrow, charge as they would,
the Black Kendah could not win through the spears of despairing
warriors defending their lives and the sanctuary of their god. Nor, the
encircling cliffs being so sheer, could they get round any other way.

At length the enemy drew back as though defeated, giving us time to drag
aside our dead and wounded and drink more water, for the heat in the
place was now overwhelming. We hoped against hope that they had given up
the attack. But this was far from the case; they were but making a new
plan.

Suddenly in the gateway there appeared the huge bulk of the elephant
Jana, rushing forward at speed and being urged on by men who pricked it
with spears behind. It swept through the defenders as though they were
but dry grass, battering