ard one,' he said. `The _umfane_
has gone mad, quite mad!'

"`Not so, _induna_ of the King,' I answered. `It is your death or mine.
Now--stand ready!'

"I could have rushed upon and killed him in his first surprise, _Nkose_,
and this was my original intention, yet, much as I hated him, he was a
brave man, and had led me to battle almost ever since I was able to
fight. Nor, though I have slain many, did I ever like to strike a man
unprepared. Wherefore I called upon him to stand to his defence.

"I had not to call upon him twice. As soon as he saw that I meant my
words, no time did he give me, for he came at me with his spear
uplifted. But I caught it on my shield, and at the same time the stab
which I aimed at him glanced off the surface of his. Not a moment did
we thus remain together, for, withdrawing, we sprang at each other
again. Still, each was so dexterous in the art of handling his shield
that we could not hurt each other. Our chests heaved and panted, and
our eyes glared, yet not a word did we speak, not a sound did we utter;
in silence we fought, for this was a combat to the death.

"As we charged each other for the third time, I hurled my heavy
knobstick with all my force at Gungana's forehead. But so quick was his
eye that he just moved his head and the kerrie went whizzing away into
the grass behind him. Then once more we closed. Ha, I was wounded!
The keen flash of the blade ripped and seared my shoulder like hot iron,
but, regardless of risk, I now became impetuous, and struck down wildly
over his guard. But this the chief easily parried, uttering a short
contemptuous laugh, which angering me, I pressed him so hard that he
began to fall back step by step, nor could he get in a fair stroke at
me, so close put to it was he to defend himself from mine.

"And now it seemed that his age was beginning to go against him, for,
skilful fighter as he was, Gungana was long past the flower of his
youth, and in a protracted struggle my strength was bound to tell. Yet
even then I know not how the matter might have ended but for what next
befell.

"I had pressed him back further and further. He was on higher ground
than myself. _Yau_! sometimes I see him now in my thoughts as he stood
that evening, thrown out blackly against the heavens, which were flaming
blood red where the sun had just sunk down. I myself had drawn back a
few paces to make a feint before rushing in at him again, when suddenly