their chief men fell victims to their own temerity, after
manifesting undaunted spirit. Again and again the chiefs and Mr.
Melville met to deliberate on how to act to prevent bloodshed
among a people who determined to die rather than flee, which they
could easily have done.

"Soon after the battle commenced, the Bechuanas came up, and
united in playing on the enemy with poisoned arrows, but they
were soon driven back; half a dozen of the fierce Mantatees [the
enemy] made the whole body scamper off in wild disorder. After
two hours and a half's combat, the Griquas, finding their
ammunition fast diminishing, at the almost certain risk of loss
of life, began to storm [charge], when the enemy gave way, taking
a westerly direction. The horsemen, however, intercepted them,
when they immediately descended toward the ravine, as if
determined not to return by the way they came, which they
crossed, but were again intercepted. On turning round they seemed
desperate, but were again soon repulsed. Great confusion now
prevailed, the ground being very stony, which rendered it
difficult to manage the horses. At this moment an awful scene was
presented to the view. The undulating country around was covered
with warriors all in motion, so that it was difficult to say who
were enemies or who were friends. Clouds of dust were rising from
the immense masses, who appeared flying with terror or pursuing
with fear. To the alarming confusion was added the bellowing of
oxen, the vociferations of the yet unvanquished warriors, mingled
with the groans of the dying, and the widows' piercing wail, and
the cries from infant voices. The enemy again directed their
course toward a town which was in possession of a tribe of the
same people still more numerous. Here again another desperate
struggle ensued, when they appeared determined to inclose the
horsemen within the smoke and flames of the houses, through which
they were slowly passing, giving the enemy time to escape. At
last, seized with despair, they fled precipitately. It had been
observed during the fight that some women went backward and
forward to the town, only about half a mile distant, apparently
with the most perfect indifference to their fearful situation.
While the commando