we die it shall be
together."

"Hold fast," said Ralph, and calling aloud to the horse he set his teeth
and charged.

By now the Zulus in front were running down the opposing slope in
clusters not much more than a hundred yards away; indeed, the space
between them was so narrow that the _schimmel_, galloping up hill under
his double load, could scarcely gather speed before they were among
them. When they were within ten yards Ralph held out the gun in one
hand and fired it, killing a man. Then he cast it away as useless, and
placing his right arm about the waist of Suzanne, he bent his body over
her to protect her if he might, urging on the horse with feet and voice.

Now they were in them and ploughing through their ever-thickening ranks,
throwing their black bodies to this side and to that as a ship throws
the water from its bows. Here, there, everywhere spears flashed and
stabbed, but as yet they were unhurt, for the very press saved them,
although an assegai was quivering in the flank of the _schimmel_. Ah!
a pang as of the touch of red-hot iron and a spear had pierced Ralph's
left shoulder, remaining fast in the wound. Still lower he bent his body
till his head was almost hidden in the flowing mane of the _schimmel_,
but now black clutching hands caught feet and bridle rein, and slowly
the great horse lost way and stopped. A tall Zulu stabbed it in the
chest, and Ralph gasped, "It is over!"

But it was not over, for, feeling the pain of this new wound, of a
sudden the stallion went mad. He shrieked aloud as only a horse can
shriek, and laying back his ears till his face was like the face of
a wolf, he reared up on his hind legs and struck out with his hoofs,
crushing the skulls and bodies of his tormentors. Down he came again,
and with another scream rushed open-mouthed at the man who had stabbed
him; his long white teeth gripped him across the body where the ribs
end, and then the awful sight was seen of a horse holding in his mouth a
man who yelled in agony, and plunging forward with great bounds while he
shook him to and fro, as a dog will shake a rat.[*]

[*] The reader may think this incident scarcely credible,
but for an authenticated instance of such behaviour on the
part of a horse he may be referred to the "Memoirs of
General Marbot."

Yes, he shook and shook till the flesh gave, and the man fell dying
on the veldt. Again the furious beast opened his jaws from which gore
drippe