compelled to do so, his only
hope was that of obtaining aid from some neighbouring chief, jealous of
the encroachments of the Matabili.

Anxious to become fully reinstated in the good opinion of his chief,
Sindo was the first who had offered to go upon this perilous scout.
Three others having also volunteered, they had been despatched in
couples,--one pair leaving an hour after the departure of the first.
This division of the embassy was to insure a greater chance of its being
successful. If one couple should have the ill luck to get captured, the
other might escape.

By the earliest hour of day the enemy began to show himself, not far
from the fortified camp. From the top of the fallen nwana our hunters
could see a large crowd of dusky warriors, that appeared to number at
least six hundred. To oppose these, Macora had not more than two
hundred and fifty men who were capable of taking part in the fight.

At either end of the great trunk, as already stated there was an open
space that would require to be carefully watched. At both points Macora
had placed some of his bravest warriors, while the others were
distributed along the barricade, with instructions to spear any of the
enemy that should attempt to scale it.

The Matabili had already examined the position and appeared confident of
success. They had at last brought their game to bay, and were only
resting from the fatigue of the long chase before taking steps to "carry
the fortress."

It was bright daylight as they advanced to the assault. Dividing
themselves into two parties, they made a rush at the open spaces by the
ends of the barricade. A fierce conflict came on which lasted for some
ten minutes, and at length resulted in the assailants being forced to
retreat, after leaving several of their warriors dead in the gaps.

But this temporary victory was not obtained without loss. Eight of the
Makololo had also fallen dead, while several others were severely
wounded.

Macora's features began to assume an anxious and troubled expression.
Knowing that an enemy of superior force to his own was before him, that
all means of retreat was now cut off, and that an attempt to enter the
enclosure had nearly proved successful, he could not avoid feeling a
gloomy foreboding for the fate of his people.

He knew too well the disposition of the Matabili to suppose that they
would easily relinquish their design.

Fear of Moselekatse's displeasure on account of t