n they heaped fire around to burn us out. Behold, Elephant, it is
still smoking!"

The King's glance rested upon the stone-wall, and a flash of eager
interest lit up his eyes.

"Ha! I have an idea!" he cried. "It is good. Go now among your
shields, son of Ntelani. They wait to welcome you. We will make an end
of these people, who laughed at my offers of mercy."

Shouts of greeting hailed my return, as I sped along the ranks, for I
was well liked by the fighting men, especially the younger ones, and
none had expected ever to behold me again. I joined for a moment in
counsel with Kalipe, and then we surrounded the town. We fired the
huts, and the flame spread from thatch to thatch, till, before long, it
gave forth so great a heat that we could hardly endure to remain at our
posts.

But, as the flames began to spread, there came rushing out terrified
figures, thick and fast--men, women, and children; all such as had not
been able to escape to the fortified hill, which Tauane had so proudly
pointed out to me. They came out, only to be met by a ring of blades.
They were slain, speared through again and again, and flung back into
the flames, all save such few of the young girls who seemed fair enough
for captives; yet even of these not many were spared, for our people
"saw red," _Nkose_, as the custom with us is when there is battle and
blood-shedding, and at such times every living thing is slaughtered.
Besides, we were doubly exasperated against these, who had dared offer
violence to the King's ambassadors, and mercy was a fire of which no
spark was kindled in any of our breasts that day.

Leaving the burning town when there remained no more to slay, we formed
in columns, and marched to the fortified mountain. But by the time we
reached it, the sun was sinking, and the King gave orders that the army
should rest. The mountain was surrounded, so that no living thing
thereon might escape, and, great fires being kindled, we went into camp.
But, first of all, the King ordered a slaughter of cattle to take
place. _Whau_! that was a sight! They were driven up--hundreds of
beasts of the fine blue-coloured cattle--and ringed in by the slayers.
_Hau_! then began a scene! Not all fell at once to the assegai: many
escaped. Maddened by the blood, the terrified beasts, their horns
clashing and eyes glowing, broke through the ring, and their frenzied
bellowing mingled with the deafening whistles of those in pursuit as,