d. Then, with shrill shrieks, the women and children
took flight in every direction.

On whirled the great dust-clouds, spreading over the plain afar on
either hand, and through them appeared the tossing heads and horns of
thousands and thousands of cattle, the sleek blue-coloured herds of the
Bakoni. The ground rumbled like approaching thunder beneath their
furious hoofs as they streamed madly forward. And behind them now was
visible something else--a vast array of naked figures and of tufted
shields, the blue gleam of wavy lines of spears. Regardless now of the
danger from those around, we sprang on the wall and danced and shouted,
jeering at those who just now were threatening us--the strength of a
nation against two men!

"Ho, dogs! jackals! cowards!" we cried. "Flee now to your burrows.
Yonder is the army of the Great King--the hand of the Great Great One,
stretched forth to avenge his messengers."

The immense herd of cattle had now divided, and was streaming off in the
distance to right and to left, leaving in its place that mighty array of
the conquerors of the world sweeping forward upon this doomed people who
had been mad enough to defy their wrath.

"Ho, Tauane! young lion!" I shouted, as the chief passed close beneath.
"Yonder is the lion whose roar is the loudest. Go, tell him what has
been your treatment of his messengers."

The chief heard, but made no answer as he hurried away, and we could see
him and his war-captains disposing their warriors in battle array. And,
indeed, they made a brave show, being more numerous than our own, and as
well armed. But who can withstand the rush of the Zulu lion?

From our high position we could take in the whole of that battle.
Battle, did I say? It can hardly be called a battle. In spite of the
dense and well-armed array confronting them, our warriors did not even
slacken their pace. Coming on at a swift but steady run, covered with
their great shields, their heads bent slightly forward, their eyes
glaring like red coals, the air thrilling with their fierce war-whistle
or hiss, as it really was, the aspect of the King's host was so terrific
that the Bakoni, for all their numbers, began to hesitate and look
wildly around, thinking of flight. But no time was allowed them even
for this. Our people were upon them. The crash of shields was as the
thunder of the storm-driven billow striking the shore. Whole lines went
down, and, pouring over them, the w