e second division he directed to attack by the causeway, whilst the
third was to endeavour to find some third means of ascent, or at least
to make such a demonstration as to prevent the Dutchmen from giving
undivided attention to the other parts of attack. These arrangements
having been completed, the Matabili, with loud yells, and beating their
shields to add to the noise, rushed towards the points of attack.

Whilst one party endeavoured to ascend the wall of rock, the other
suddenly found themselves opposed by stakes, and a steep rock and bank.
Expecting momentarily to feel the deadly bullet amongst them, they were
surprised to find no attempt made to attack them; attributing this to
only one cause, they shouted to each other that the white man's powder
was finished, and thus encouraged they climbed on one another's
shoulders, and thus reached the level of the rock. No sooner, however,
did the body of a Matabili rise above the level of the plateau, than the
deadly thrust of a lance hurled the intruder back lifeless amongst his
comrades. Three times did the persevering enemy succeed in raising one
of their numbers to the level of the rock, but it was only to find him
fall amongst them pierced through and through with the broad blade of
one of their own iron spear-heads. Still the shouts "Their powder is
all done" gave encouragement to others to attempt an entrance to the
fortification; and it was only when ten men had been sacrificed, that
the chief ordered his men to desist, in order that some other plan of
attack should be adopted.

"So far it has been all gain on our side," said Hans; "we have not fired
a shot yet we have beaten them off. That was a good thought of mine, to
make those spears. We must not let them know we have powder; for if
they believe we have none, they may make plans which we can easily
defeat."

For more than an hour the Matabili made no attempt to attack the
fortress, for such it might well be termed: then, however, they again
advanced to the attack, shouting as before. Hans and Victor prepared to
resist their foes, and stood behind the breastwork they had raised ready
to thrust down the intruders. Whilst their attention was thus directed
below them, a slight noise above attracted their attention, and both
turned to look at the rock above, when they instantly saw the plot of
their crafty enemies. The Matabili, by a circuitous path, had ascended
the summit of the ridge, and then clim