"WhentheywerewelloutofthewayIemergedfromthehut，andwewentontodiscussthesituationandmakeourplans。Firstofall，asIwascarefultoexplaintoNala，Iwasnotgoingtogivehimmyexperienceandservicesfornothing。IheardthatWambehadastockaderoundhiskraalmadeofelephanttusks。Thesetusks，intheeventofoursucceedingintheenterprise，Ishouldclaimasmyperquisite，withtheprovisothatNalashouldfurnishmewithmentocarrythemdowntothecoast。
　　"TothismodestrequestNalaandtheheadmengaveanunqualifiedandheartyassent，themoreheartyperhapsbecausetheyneverexpectedtogettheivory。
　　"ThenextthingIstipulatedwas，thatifweconquered，thewhitemanJohnEveryshouldbehandedovertome，togetherwithanygoodswhichhemightclaim。Hiscruelcaptivitywas，Ineedhardlysay，theonlyreasonthatinducedmetojoininsohair—brainedanexpedition，butI
　　wascarefulfrommotivesofpolicytokeepthisfactinthebackground。Nalaacceptedthiscondition。Mythirdstipulationwasthatnowomenorchildrenshouldbekilled。Thisbeingalsoagreedto，wewentontoconsiderwaysandmeans。Wambe，itappeared，wasaverypowerfulpettychief，thatis，hecouldputatleastsixthousandfightingmenintothefield，andalwayshadfromthreetofourthousandcollectedabouthiskraal，whichwassupposedtobeimpregnable。Nala，onthecontrary，atsuchshortnoticecouldnotcollectmorethanfromtwelvetothirteenhundredmen，though，beingoftheZulustock，theywereofmuchbetterstuffforfightingpurposesthanWambe’sMatukus。
　　"Theseodds，thoughlarge，underthecircumstanceswerenotoverwhelming。TherealobstacletoourchanceofsuccesswasthedifficultyofdeliveringacrushingassaultagainstWambe’sstrongplace。Thiswas，itappeared，fortifiedallroundwithschansesorstonewalls，andcontainednumerouscavesandkoppiesinthehill—sideandatthefootofthemountainwhichnoforcehadeverbeenabletocapture。ItissaidthatinthetimeoftheZulumonarchDingaan，agreatimpiofthatking’shavingpenetratedtothisdistrict，haddeliveredanassaultuponthekraalthenownedbyaforefatherofWambe’s，andbeenbeatenbackwiththelossofmorethanathousandmen。
　　"Havingthoughtthequestionover，IinterrogatedMaiwacloselyastothefortificationsandthetopographicalpeculiaritiesofthespot，andnotwithoutresults。Idiscoveredthatthekraalwasindeedimpregnabletoafrontattack，butthatitwasveryslightlydefendedtotherear，whichranupaslopeofthemountain，indeedonlybytwolinesofstonewalls。Thereasonofthiswasthatthemountainisquiteimpassableexceptbyonesecretpathsupposedtobeknownonlytothechiefandhiscouncillors，andthisbeingso，ithadnotbeenconsiderednecessarytofortifyit。
　　"’Well，’Isaid，whenshehaddone，’andnowastothissecretpathofthine——knowestthouaughtofit？’
　　"’Ay，’sheanswered，’Iamnofool，Macumazahn。Knowledgelearnedispowerearned。Iwonthesecretofthatpath。’
　　"’Andcanstthouguideanimpithereonsothatitshallfalluponthetownfrombehind？’
　　"’Yes，Icandothis，ifonlyWambe’speopleknownotthattheimpicomes，foriftheyknow，thentheycanblocktheway。’
　　"’Sothenhereismyplan。Listen，Nala，andsayifitbegood，orifthouhastabetter，showitforth。Letmessengersgooutandsummonallthyimpi，thatitbegatheredhereonthethirddayfromnow。Thisbeingdone，lettheimpi，ledbyMaiwa，marchonthemorrowofthefourthday，andcrossingthemountainsletittravelalongontheothersideofthemountainstillitcometotheplaceonthefurthersideofwhichisthekraalofWambe；thatshallbesomethreedays’
　　journeyinall。[*]Thenonthenightofthethirdday’sjourney，letMaiwaleadtheimpiinsilenceupthesecretpath，sothatitcomestothecrestofthemountainthatisabovethestrongplace，andhereletithideamongtherocks。
　　[*]Aboutonehundredandtwentymiles。——Editor。
　　"’MeanwhileonthesixthdayfromnowletoneofthyIndunas，Nala，bringwithhimtwohundredmenthathaveguns，andleadmeandmymenasprisoners，andtakealsoagirlfromamongtheButianapeople，whobyformandfaceislikeuntoMaiwa，andbindherhands，andpassbytheroadonwhichwecameandthroughthecuttinginthecliffontothekraalofWambe。Butthemenshalltakenoshieldsorplumeswiththem，onlytheirgunsandoneshortspear，andwhentheymeetthepeopleofWambetheyshallsaythattheycometogiveupthewomanandthewhitemanandhispartytoWambe，andtomakeatonementtoWambe。
　　Soshalltheypassinpeace。Andtravellingthus，ontheeveningoftheseventhdayweshallcometothegatesoftheplaceofWambe，andnighthegatesthereis，sosaysMaiwa，akoppieverystrongandfullofrocksandcaves，buthavingnosoldiersonitexceptintimeofwar，orattheworstbutafewsuchascaneasilybeoverpowered。
　　"’Thisbeingdone，atthedawnofdaytheimpionthemountainbehindthetownmustlightafireandputwetgrassonit，sothatthesmokegoesup。ThenatthesightofthesmokeweinthekoppiewillbegintoshootintothetownofWambe，andallthesoldierswillruntokillus。Butwewillholdourown，andwhilewefighttheimpishallchargedownthemountainsideandclimbtheschanses，andputthosewhodefendthemtotheassegai，andthenfallinguponthetownshallsurpriseit，anddrivethesoldiersofWambeasawindblowsthedeadhusksofcorn。Thisismyplan。Ihavespoken。’
　　"’/Ou!/’saidNala，’itisgood，itisverygood。Thewhitemanisclevererthanajackal。Yes，soshallitbe；andmaythesnakeoftheButianapeoplestandupuponitstailandprosperthewar，forsoshallweberidofWambeandthetyranniesofWambe。’
　　"AfterthatthegirlMaiwastoodup，andoncemoreproducingthedreadfullittledriedhand，madeherfatherandseveralofhisheadcouncillorsswearbyitanduponitthattheywouldcarryoutthewarofvengeancetothebitterend。Itwasaverycurioussighttosee。
　　Andbytheway，thefightthatensuedwasthereafterknownamongthetribesofthatdistrictastheWaroftheLittleHand。
　　"Thenexttwodayswerebusyonesforus。Messengersweresentout，andeveryavailablemanoftheButianatribewasorderedupto’agreatdance。’Thecountrywassmall，andbytheeveningofthesecondday，sometwelvehundredandfiftymenwereassembledwiththeirassegaisandshields，andafinehardytrooptheywere。Atdawnofthefollowingday，thefourthfromthedepartureoftheheralds，themainimpi，havingbeendoctoredintheusualfashion，startedunderthecommandofNalahimself，who，knowingthathislifeandchieftainshiphungupontheissueofthestruggle，wiselydeterminedtobepresenttodirectit。WiththemwentMaiwa，whowastoguidethemupthesecretpath。Ofcoursewewereobligedtogivethemtwodays’start，astheyhadmorethanahundredmilesofroughcountrytopass，includingthecrossingofthegreatmountainrangewhichrannorthandsouth，foritwasnecessarythattheimpishouldmakeawidedétourinordertoescapedetection。
　　"Atlength，however，atdawnonthesixthday，Itooktheroad，accompaniedbymymostunwillingbearers，whodidnotatallliketheideaofthusputtingtheirheadsintothelion’smouth。Indeed，itwasonlythefearofNala’sspears，togetherwithavagueconfidenceinmyself，thatinducedthemtoaccepttheadventure。WithmealsowereabouttwohundredButianas，allarmedwithgunsofvariouskinds，formanyofthesepeoplehadguns，thoughtheywerenotveryproficientintheuseofthem。Buttheycarriednoshieldsandworenohead—dressorarmlets；indeed，everywarlikeappearancewascarefullyavoided。WithourpartywentalsoasisterofMaiwa’s，thoughbyadifferentmother，whostronglyresembledherinfaceandform，andwhosemissionitwastoimpersonatetherunawaywife。
　　"Thateveningwecampeduponthetopofthecliffupwhichwehadsobarelyescaped，andnextmorningatthefirstbreakingofthelightwerolledawaythestoneswithwhichwehadblockedthepassagesomedaysbefore，anddescendedtothehill—sidebeneath。Herethebodies，orrathertheskeletonsofthemenwhohadfallenbeforemyrifle，stilllayabout。TheMatukusoldiershadlefttheircomradestobeburiedbythevultures。IdescendedthegullyintowhichpoorGobohadfallen，andsearchedforhisbody，butinvain，althoughIfoundthespotwhereheandtheothermanhadstruck，togetherwiththebonesofthelatter，whichIrecognizedbythewaist—cloth。EithersomebeastofpreyhadcarriedGobooff，ortheMatukupeoplehaddisposedofhisremains，andalsoofmyexpressriflewhichhecarried。Atanyrate，I
　　neversaworheardanymoreofhim。
　　"OnceinWambe’scountry，weadoptedaverycircumspectmethodofproceeding。Aboutfiftymenmarchedaheadinlooseordertoguardagainstsurprise，whileasmanymorefollowedbehind。Theremaininghundredweregatheredinabunchbetween，andinthecentreofthesemenImarched，togetherwiththegirlwhowaspersonatingMaiwa，andallmybearers。Weweredisarmed，andsomeofmymenweretiedtogethertoshowthatwewereprisoners，whilethegirlhadablanketthrownoverherhead，andmovedalongwithanairofgreatdejection。
　　WeheadedstraightforWambe’splace，whichwasatadistanceofabouttwenty—fivemilesfromthemountain—pass。
　　"WhenwehadgonesomefivemileswemetapartyofaboutfiftyofWambe’ssoldiers，whowereevidentlyonthelook—outforus。Theystoppedus，andtheircaptainaskedwhereweweregoing。TheheadmanofourpartyansweredthathewasconveyingMaiwa，Wambe’srunawaywife，togetherwiththewhitehunterandhismen，tobegivenuptoWambeinaccordancewithhiscommand。Thecaptainthenwantedtoknowwhyweweresomany，towhichourspokesmanrepliedthatIandmymenwereverydesperatefellows，andthatitwasfearedthatifweweresentwithasmallerescortweshouldescape，andbringdisgraceandthewrathofWambeupontheirtribe。Thereonthisgentleman，theMatukucaptain，begantoamusehimselfatmyexpense，andmockme，sayingthatWambewouldmakemepayforthesoldierswhomIhadkilled。Hewouldputmeintothe’Thingthatbites，’inotherwords，theliontrap，andleavemetheretodielikeajackalcaughtbytheleg。Imadenoanswertothis，thoughmywrathwasgreat，butpretendedtolookfrightened。Indeedtherewasnotmuchpretenceaboutit，Iwasfrightened。Icouldnotconcealfrommyselfthatourswasamosthazardousenterprise，andthatitwasverypossiblethatImightmakeacquaintancewiththatliontrapbeforeIwasmanydaysolder。
　　However，itseemedquiteimpossibletodesertpoorEveryinhismisfortune，soIhadtogoon，andtrusttoProvidence，asIhavesooftenbeenobligedtodobeforeandsince。
　　"Andnowafreshdifficultyarose。Wambe’ssoldiersinsisteduponaccompanyingus，andwhatismore，didalltheycouldtourgeusforward，astheywerenaturallyanxioustogettothechief’splacebeforeevening。Butwe，ontheotherhand，hadexcellentreasonsfornotarrivingtillnightwasclosingin，sincewerelieduponthegloomtocoverouradvanceuponthekoppiewhichcommandedthetown。
　　Finally，theybecamesoimportunatethatwewereobligedtorefuseflatlytomovefaster，allegingasareasonthatthegirlwastired。
　　Theydidnotacceptthisexcuseingoodpart，andatonetimeI
　　thoughtthatweshouldhavecometoblows，forthereisnolovelostbetweenButianasandMatukus。Atlast，however，eitherfrommotivesofpolicy，orbecausetheyweresoevidentlyoutnumbered，theygaveinandsufferedustogoourownpace。Iearnestlywishedthattheywouldhaveaddedtotheobligationbygoingtheirs，butthistheydeclinedabsolutelytodo。Onthecontrary，theyaccompanieduseveryfootoftheway，keepinguparunningfireofallusionstothe’Thingthatbites’thatjarreduponmynervesanddiscomposedmytemper。
　　"Abouthalf—pastfourintheafternoonwecametoaneckorridgeofstonyground，whencewecouldseeWambe’stownplainlylyingsomesixorsevenmilesaway，andthreethousandfeetbeneathus。Thetownisbuiltinavalley，withtheexceptionofWambe’sownkraal，thatissituatedatthemouthofsomecavesupontheslopeoftheopposingmountains，overwhichIhopedtoseeourimpi’sspearsflashinginthemorrow’slight。Evenfromwherewestood，itwaseasytoseehowstronglytheplacewasfortifiedwithschansesandstonewalls，andhowdifficultofapproach。Indeed，unlesstakenbysurprise，itseemedtomequiteimpregnabletoaforceoperatingwithoutcannon，andevencannonwouldnotmakemuchimpressiononrocksandstonykoppiesfilledwithcaves。
　　"Thencamethedescentofthepass，andanarduousbusinessitwas，forthepath——ifitmaybecalledapath——isalmostentirelycomposedofhugewater—wornboulders，fromtheonetotheotherofwhichwemustjumplikesomanygrasshoppers。Ittookustwohourstoclimbdown，and，travellingthroughthatburningsun，whenatlastwedidreachthebottom，Iforonewasnearlyplayedout。Shortlyafterwards，justasitwasgrowingdark，wecametothefirstlineoffortifications，whichconsistedofatriplestonewallpiercedbyagateway，sonarrowthatamancouldhardlysqueezethroughit。Wepassedthiswithoutquestion，beingaccompaniedbyWambe’ssoldiers。
　　Then，cameabeltoflandthreehundredpacesormoreinwidth，veryrockyandbroken，andhavingnohutsuponit。Hereinhollowsinthisbeltthecattlewerekraaledincaseofdanger。OnthefurthersideweremorefortificationsandanothersmallgatewayshapedlikeaV，andjustbeyondandthroughitIsawthekoppiewehadplannedtoseizeloomingupagainstthelineofmountainsbehind。
　　"AswewentIwhisperedmysuggestionstoourcaptain，withtheresultthatatthesecondgatewayhehaltedthecavalcade，andaddressingthecaptainofWambe’ssoldiers，saidthatwewouldwaitheretillwereceivedWambe’swordtoenterthetown。Theothermansaidthatthiswaswell，onlyhemusthandovertheprisonerstobetakenuptothechief’skraal，forWambe，was’hungrytobeginuponthem，’andhis’heartdesiredtoseethewhitemanatrestbeforeheclosedhiseyesinsleep，’andasforhiswife，’surelyhewouldwelcomeher。’Ourleaderrepliedthathecouldnotdothisthing，becausehisordersweretodelivertheprisonerstoWambeatWambe’sownkraal，andtheymightnotbebroken。Howcouldheberesponsibleforthesafetyoftheprisonersifheletthemoutofhishand？No，theywouldwaittheretillWambe’swordwasbrought。
　　"Tothis，aftersomedemur，theothermanconsented，andwentaway，remarkingthathewouldsoonbeback。Ashepassedmehecalledoutwithasneer，pointingashedidsotothefadingredinthewesternsky——’Lookyourlastuponthelight，WhiteMan，forthe"Thingthatbites"livesinthedark。’
　　"NextdayitsohappenedthatIshotthisman，and，doyouknow，I
　　thinkthatheisabouttheonlyhumanbeingwhohascometoharmatmyhandsforwhomIdonotfeelsinceresorrowand，inadegree，remorse。
　　VII
　　THEATTACK
　　"Justwherewehaltedranalittlestreamofwater。Ilookedatit，andanideastruckme：probablytherewouldbenowateronthekoppie。
　　Isuggestedthistoourcaptain，and，actingonthehint，hedirectedallthementodrinkwhattheycould，andalsotofillthesevenoreightcookingpotswhichwecarriedwithuswithwater。Thencamethecrucialmoment。Howwerewetogetpossessionofthekoppie？Whenthecaptainaskedme，IsaidthatIthoughtthatwehadbettermarchupandtakeit，andthisaccordinglywewentontodo。Whenwecametothenarrowgatewaywewere，asIexpectedstoppedbytwosoldierswhostoodonguardthereandaskedourbusiness。Thecaptainansweredthatwehadchangedourminds，andwouldfollowontoWambe’skraal。Thesoldierssaidno，wemustnowwait。
　　"Tothiswerepliedbypushingthemtoonesideandmarchinginsinglefilethroughthegateway，whichwasnotdistantmorethanahundredyardsfromthekoppie。Whileweweregettingthrough，themenwehadpushedawayrantowardsthetowncallingforassistance，acallthatwaspromptlyrespondedto，forinanotherminutewesawscoresofarmedmenrunninghardinourdirection。Sowerantoo，forthekoppie。Assoonastheyunderstoodwhatwewereafter，whichtheydidnotatfirst，owingtothedimnessofthelight，theydidtheirbesttogettherebeforeus。Butwehadthestartofthem，andwiththeexceptionofoneunfortunatemanwhostumbledandfell，wewerewellontothekoppiebeforetheyarrived。Thismantheycaptured，andwhenfightingbeganonthefollowingmorning，andherefusedtogiveanyinformation，theykilledhim。Luckilytheyhadnotimetotorturehim，ortheywouldcertainlyhavedoneso，fortheseMatukupeopleareveryfondoftorturingtheirenemies。
　　"Whenwereachedthekoppie，thebaseofwhichcoversabouthalfanacreofground，thesoldierswhohadbeentryingtocutusoffhalted，fortheyknewthestrengthoftheposition。Thisgaveusafewminutesbeforethelighthadquitevanishedtoreconnoitretheplace。Wefoundthatitwasunoccupied，fortifiedwitharegularlabyrinthofstonewalls，andcontainedthreelargecavesandsomesmallerones。Thenextbusinesswastopostthesoldierstosuchadvantageastimewouldallow。MyownmenIwascarefultoplacequiteatthetop。Theywereperfectlyuselessfromterror，andIfearedthattheymighttrytoescapeandgiveinformationofourplanstoWambe。SoIwatchedthemliketheappleofmyeye，tellingthemthatshouldtheydaretostirtheywouldbeshot。
　　"Thenitgrewquitedark，andpresentlyoutofthedarknessIheardavoice——itwasthatoftheleaderofthesoldierswhohadescortedus——
　　callingustocomedown。Werepliedthatitwastoodarktomove，weshouldhitourfeetagainstthestones。Heinsisteduponourdescending，andweflatlyrefused，sayingthatifanyattemptwasmadetodislodgeuswewouldfire。Afterthat，astheyhadnorealintentionofattackingusinthedark，themenwithdrew，butwesawfromthefireswhichwerelitaroundthattheywerekeepingastrictwatchuponourposition。
　　"Thatnightwasawearingone，forweneverquiteknewhowthesituationwasgoingtodevelop。Fortunatelywehadsomecookedfoodwithus，sowedidnotstarve。Itwaslucky，however，thatwedrunkourfillbeforecomingup，for，asIhadanticipated，therewasnotadropofwateronthekoppie。
　　"Atlengththenightworeaway，andwiththefirsttingeoflightI
　　begantogomyrounds，andstumblingalongthestonypaths，tomakethingsasreadyasIcouldfortheattack，whichIfeltsurewouldbedeliveredbeforeweweretwohoursolder。Themenwerecrampedandcold，andconsequentlylow—spirited，butIexhortedthemtothebestofmyability，biddingthemremembertheracefromwhichtheysprang，andnottoshowthewhitefeatherbeforeacrowdofMatukudogs。Atlengthitbegantogrowlight，andpresentlyIsawlongcolumnsofmenadvancingtowardsthekoppie。Theyhaltedundercoveratadistanceofaboutahundredandfiftyyards，andjustasthedawnbrokeaheraldcameforwardandcalledtous。Ourcaptainstoodupuponarockandansweredhim。
　　"’ThesearethewordsofWambe，’theheraldsaid。’Comeforthfromthekoppie，andgiveovertheevil—doers，andgoinpeace，orstayinthekoppieandbeslain。’
　　"’Itistooearlytocomeoutasyet，’answeredourmaninfinediplomaticstyle。’Whenthesunsucksupthemistthenwewillcomeout。Ourlimbsarestiffwithcold。’
　　"’Comeforthevennow，’saidtheherald。
　　"’NotifIknowit，myboy，’saidItomyself；butthecaptainrepliedthathewouldcomeoutwhenhethoughtproper，andnotbefore。
　　"’Thenmakereadytodie，’saidtheherald，foralltheworldlikethevillainofatranspontinepiece，andmajesticallystalkedbacktothesoldiers。
　　"Imademyfinalarrangements，andlookedanxiouslyatthemountaincrestacoupleofmilesorsoaway，fromwhichthemistwasnowbeginningtolift，butnocolumnofsmokecouldIsee。Iwhistled，foriftheattackingforcehadbeendelayedormadeanymistake，ourpositionwaslikelytogrowratherwarm。Wehadbarelyenoughwatertowetthemouthsofthemen，andwhenonceitwasfinishedwecouldnotholdtheplaceforlonginthatburningheat。
　　"Atlength，justasthesunroseingloryovertheheightsbehindus，theMatukusoldiers，ofwhomaboutfifteenhundredwerenowassembled，setupaqueerwhistlingnoise，whichendedinachant。Thensomeshotswerefired，fortheMatukuhadafewguns，butwithouteffect，thoughonebulletpassedjustbyaman’shead。
　　"’Nowtheyaregoingtobegin，’Ithoughttomyself，andIwasnotfarwrong，forinanotherminutethebodyofmendividedintothreecompanies，eachaboutfivehundredstrong，and，heraldedbyarunningfire，chargedatusonthreesides。Ourmenwerenowallwellundercover，andthefiredidusnoharm。Imountedonarocksoastocommandaviewofasmuchofthekoppieandplainaspossible，andyelledtoourmentoreservetheirfiretillIgavetheword，andthentoshootlowandloadasquicklyaspossible。Iknewthat，likeallnatives，theyweresuretobeexecrableshots，andthattheywerearmedwithweaponsmadeoutofoldgas—pipes，sotheonlychanceofdoingexecutionwastolettheenemygetrightontous。
　　"Ontheycamewitharush；theywerewithineightyyardsnow，andastheydrewnearthepointofattack，Iobservedthattheyclosedtheirranks，whichwassomuchthebetterforus。
　　"’Shallwenotfire，myfather？’sungoutthecaptain。
　　"’No，confoundyou!’Ianswered。
　　"’Sixtyyards——fifty——forty——thirty。Fire，youscoundrels!’Iyelled，settingtheexamplebylettingoffbothbarrelsofmyelephantgunintothethickestpartofthecompanyoppositetome。
　　"Instantlytheplacerangoutwiththedischargeoftwohundredandoddguns，whiletheairwastornbythepassageofeverysortofmissile，fromironpotlegsdowntoslugsandpebblescoatedwithlead。Theresultwasveryprompt。TheMatukusweresonearthatwecouldnotmissthem，andatthirtyyardsalead—coatedstoneoutofagas—pipeisaseffectiveasaMartinirifle，ormoreso。Overrolledtheattackingsoldiersbythedozen，whilethesurvivors，fairlyfrightened，tooktotheirheels。Wepliedthemwithshottilltheywereoutofrange——Imadeitverywarmforthemwiththeelephantgun，bytheway——andthenweloadedupinquiteacheerfulframeofmind，forwehadnotlostaman，whereasIcouldcountmorethanfiftydeadandwoundedMatukus。Theonlythingthatdampedmyardourwasthat，stareasIwould，Icouldseenocolumnofsmokeuponthemountaincrest。
　　"Halfanhourelapsedbeforeanyfurtherstepsweretakenagainstus。
　　Thentheattackingforceadopteddifferenttactics。Seeingthatitwasveryriskytotrytorushusindensemasses，theyopenedoutintoskirmishingorderandranacrosstheopenspaceinlotsoffiveandsix。Asithappened，rightatthefootofthekoppiethegroundbrokeawayalittleinsuchfashionthatitwasalmostimpossibleforustosearchiteffectuallywithourfire。OnthehithersideofthisdipWambe’ssoldierswerenowcongregatinginconsiderablenumbers。Ofcoursewedidthemasmuchdamageaswecouldwhiletheywererunningacross，butthissortofworkrequiresgoodshots，andthatwasjustwhatwehadnotgot。Anotherthingwas，thatsomanyofourmenwouldinsistuponlettingoffthethingstheycalledgunsateverylittleknotoftheenemythatranacross。Thus，thefirstfewlotswereindeedpracticallysweptaway，butafterthat，asittookalongwhiletoloadthegas—pipesandoldflintmuskets，thosewhofollowedgotacrossincomparativesafety。Formyownpart，Ifiredawaywiththeelephantgunandrepeatingcarbinetilltheygrewalmosttoohottohold，butmyindividualeffortscoulddonothingtostopsucharush，orperceptiblytolessenthenumberofourenemies。
　　"Atlengththerewereatleastathousandmencrowdedintothedipofgroundwithinafewyardsofus，whencethoseofthemwhohadgunskeptupacontinuedfusilladeuponthekoppie。Theykilledtwoofmybearersinthisway，andwoundedathird，forbeingatthetopofthekoppiethesemenweremostexposedtothefirefromthedipatitsbase。Seeingthatthesituationwasgrowingmostserious，atlength，bythedintofthreatsandentreaties，Ipersuadedthemajorityofourpeopletoceasefiringuselessshots，toreload，andpreparefortherush。ScarcelyhadIdonesowhentheenemycameforuswitharoar。I
　　amboundtosaythatIshouldneverhavebelievedthatMatukushaditinthemtomakesuchadeterminedcharge。Alargepartyrushedroundthebaseofthekoppie，andattackedusinflank，whiletheothersswarmedwherevertheycouldgetafoothold，sothatweweretakenoneveryside。
　　"’/Fire!/’Icried，andwedidwithterribleeffect。Manyoftheirmenfell，butthoughwecheckedwecouldnotstopthem。Theyclosedupandrushedthefirstfortification，killingagoodnumberofitsdefenders。Itwasalmostallcoldsteelworknow，forwehadnotimetoreload，andthatsuitedtheButianahabitsoffightingwellenough，forthestabbingassegaiisaweaponwhichtheyunderstand。Thoseofourpeoplewhoescapedfromthefirstlineofwallstookrefugeinthesecond，whereIstoodmyself，encouragingthem，andtherethefightragedfiercely。Occasionallypartiesoftheenemywouldforceapassage，onlytoperishonthehithersidebeneaththeButianaspears。
　　Butstilltheykeptitup，andIsawthat，fightaswewould，weweredoomed。Wewerealtogetheroutnumbered，andtomakemattersworse，freshbodiesofsoldierswerepouringacrosstheplaintotheassistanceofourassailants。SoImadeupmymindtodirectaretreatintothecaves，andthereexpireinamannerasheroicascircumstanceswouldallow；andwhilementallylamentingmyhardfateandreflectingonmysinsIfoughtawaylikeafiend。Itwasthen，I
　　remember，thatIshotmyfriendthecaptainofourescortofthepreviousday。Hehadcaughtsightofme，andmakingaviciousdigatmystomachwithaspear（whichIsuccessfullydodged），shoutedout，orratherbegantoshoutout，oneofhisunpleasantallusionstothe’Thingthat————’Henevergotasfaras’bites，’becauseIshothimafter’that。’
　　"Well，thegamewasaboutup。AlreadyIsawonemanthrowdownhisspearintokenofsurrender——whichactofcowardicecosthimhislife，bytheway——whensuddenlyashoutarose。
　　"’Lookatthemountain，’theycried；’thereisanimpionthemountainside。’
　　"Iglancedup，andtheresureenough，abouthalf—waydownthemountain，nearingthefirstfortification，thelong—plumeddoublelineofNala’swarriorswasrushingdowntobattle，thebrightlightofthemorningglancingontheirspears。Afterwardswediscoveredthatthereasonoftheirdelaywasthattheyhadbeenstoppedbyariverinflood，andcouldnotreachthemountaincrestbydawn。Whentheydidreachit，however，theysawinstantlythatthefightwasalreadygoingon，was’inflower，’astheyputit，andsoadvancedatoncewithoutwaitingtolightsignal—fires。
　　"Meanwhiletheyhadbeenobservedfromthetown，andpartiesofsoldierswerechargingupthesteepsideofthehill，tooccupytheschanses，andthesecondlineoffortificationsbehindthem。Thefirstlinetheydidnotnowattempttoreachordefend；Nalapressedthemtooclose。Buttheygottotheschansesorpitsprotectedwithstonewalls，andconstructedtoholdfromadozentotwentymen，andsoonbegantoopenfirefromthem，andfromisolatedrocks。Iturnedmyeyestothegatesofthetown，whichwereplacedtothenorthandsouth。Alreadytheywerecrowdedwithhundredsoffugitivewomenandchildrenflyingtotherocksandcavesforshelterfromthefoe。
　　"Asforourselves，theappearanceofNala’simpiproducedawonderfulchangeforthebetterinourposition。Thesoldiersattackingusturned，realizingthatthetownwasbeingassailedfromtherear，andclamberingdownthekoppiestreamedofftoprotecttheirhomesagainstthisnewenemy。Infiveminutestherewasnotamanleftexceptthosewhowouldmovenomore，orweretoosorelywoundedtoescape。Ifeltinclinedtoejaculate’/Saved!/’likethegentlemanintheplay，butdidnotbecausetheoccasionwastooserious。WhatIdiddowastomusterallthemenandreckonupourlosses。Theyamountedtofifty—
　　onekilledandwounded，sixteenmenhavingbeenkilledoutright。ThenIsentmenwiththecooking—potstothestreamofwater，andwedrank。
　　ThisdoneIsetmybearers，beingthemostuselesspartofthecommunity，fromafightingpointofview，tothetaskofattendingtheinjured，andturnedtowatchthefray。
　　"BythistimeNala’simpihadclimbedthefirstlineoffortificationswithoutopposition，andwasadvancinginalonglineupontheschansesorpitswhichwerescatteredaboutbetweenitandthesecondline，singingawarchantasitcame。Presentlypuffsofsmokebegantostartfromtheschanses，andwithmyglassesIcouldseeseveralofourmenfallingover。Thenastheycameoppositeaschansethatportionofthelonglineofwarriorswouldthickenupandchargeitwithawildrush。Icouldseethemleapontothewallsandvanishintothedepthsbeneath，someoftheirnumberfallingbackwardoneachoccasion，shotorstabbedtodeath。
　　"Nextwouldcomeanotheractinthetragedy。Outfromthehithersideoftheschansewouldpoursuchofitsdefendersaswereleftalive，perhapsthreeorfourandperhapsadozen，runningfordearlife，withthewardogsontheirtracks。Onebyonetheywouldbecaught，thenupflashedthegreatspearanddownfellthepursued——dead。Isawtenofourmenleapintoonelargeschanse，butthoughIwatchedforsometimenobodycameout。Afterwardsweinspectedtheplaceandfoundthesemenalldead，togetherwithtwenty—threeMatukus。Neithersidewouldgivein，andtheyhadfoughtitouttothebitterend。
　　"Atlasttheynearedthesecondlineoffortifications，behindwhichthewholeremainingMatukuforce，numberingsometwothousandmen，wasrapidlyassembling。Onelittlepausetogettheirbreath，andNala’smencameatitwitharushandalongwildshoutof’/BulalaMatuku/’
　　（killtheMatuku）thatwentrightthroughme，thrillingeverynerve。
　　Thencameanansweringshout，andthesoundsofheavyfiring，andpresentlyIsawourmenretreating，somewhatfewerinnumbersthantheyhadadvanced。TheirwelcomehadbeenawarmonefortheMatukufightsplendidlybehindwalls。Thisdecidedmethatitwasnecessarytocreateadiversion；ifwedidnotdosoitseemedveryprobablethatweshouldbeworstedafterall。Icalledtothecaptainofourlittleforce，andrapidlyputthepositionbeforehim。
　　"Seeingtheurgencyoftheoccasion，heagreedwithmethatwemustriskit，andintwominutesmore，withtheexceptionofmyownmen，whomIlefttoguardthewounded，weweretrottingacrosstheopenspaceandthroughthedesertedtowntowardsthespotwherethestrugglewastakingplace，somesevenhundredyardsaway。Insixoreightminuteswereachedagroupofhuts——itwasaheadman’skraal，thatwassituatedaboutahundredandtwentyyardsbehindthefortifiedwall，andtookpossessionofitunobserved。Theenemywastoomuchengagedwiththefoeinfrontofhimtonoticeus，andbesides，thebrokengroundroseinahog—backshapebetween。Therewewaitedaminuteortwoandrecoveredourbreath，whileIgavemydirections。SosoonasweheardtheButianaimpibegintochargeagain，weweretorunoutinalinetothebrowofthehogbackandpourourfireintothemassofdefendersbehindthewall。Thenthegunsweretobethrowndownandwemustchargewiththeassegai。Wehadnoshields，butthatcouldnotbehelped；therewouldbenotimetoreloadtheguns，anditwasabsolutelynecessarythattheenemyshouldbedisconcertedatthemomentwhenthemainattackwasdelivered。
　　"Themen，whowereaspluckyasetoffellowsaseverIsaw，andwhosebloodwasnowthoroughlyup，consentedtothisscheme，thoughIcouldseethattheythoughtitratheralargeorder，asindeedIdidmyself。
　　ButIknewthatiftheimpiwasdrivenbackasecondtimethegamewouldbeplayed，andformeatanyrateitwouldbeacaseofthe’Thingthatbites，’andthissureandcertainknowledgefilledmybreastwithvalour。
　　"Wehadnotlongtowait。PresentlyweheardtheButianawar—songswellingloudandlong；theyhadcommencedtheirattack。Imadeasign，andthehundredandfiftymen，headedbymyself，pouredoutofthekraal，andgettingintoaroughlineranupthefiftyorsixtyyardsofslopethatintervenedbetweenourselvesandthecrestofthehog—backedridge。Inthirtysecondswewerethere，andimmediatelybeyonduswasthemainbodyoftheMatukuhostwaitingtheonslaughtoftheenemywithgunsandspears。Evennowtheydidnotseeus，sointentweretheyuponthecomingattack。Isignedtomymentotakecarefulaim，andsuddenlycalledouttothemtofire，whichtheydidwithawill，droppingthirtyorfortyMatukus。
　　"’/Charge!/’Ishouted，againthrowingdownmysmokingrifleanddrawingmyrevolver，anexamplewhichtheyfollowed，snatchinguptheirspearsfromthegroundwheretheyhadplacedthemwhiletheyfired。Themensetupasavagewhoop，andwestarted。IsawtheMatukusoldierswheelaroundinhundreds，utterlytakenabackatthisnewdevelopmentofthesituation。Andlookingoverthem，beforewehadgonetwentyyardsIsawsomethingelse。Forofasudden，asthoughtheyhadrisenfromtheearth，thereappearedabovethewallhundredsofgreatspears，followedbyhundredsofsavagefacesshadowedwithdroopingplumes。Withayelltheyspranguponthewallshakingtheirbroadshields，andwithayelltheyboundedfromitstraightintoourastonishedfoes。
　　"/Crash!/wewereinthemnow，andfightinglikedemons。/Crash!/fromtheotherside。Nala’simpiwasatitswork，andstillthespearsandplumesappearedforamomentagainstthebrownbackgroundofthemountain，andthensprangdownandrushedlikeastormuponthefoe。
　　Thegreatmobofmenturnedthiswayandturnedthatway，astonished，bewildered，overbornebydoubtandterror。
　　"Meanwhiletheslayersstayednottheirhands，andoneverysidespearsflashed，andthefierceshoutoftriumphwentuptoheaven。
　　TheretooonthewallstoodMaiwa，awhitegarmentstreamingfromhershoulders，anassegaiinherhand，herbreastheaving，hereyesflashing。AboveallthedinofbattleIcouldcatchthetonesofherclearvoiceassheurgedthesoldiersontovictory。Butvictorywasnotyet。Wambe’ssoldiersgatheredthemselvestogether，andboreourmenbackbythesheerweightofnumbers。Theybegantogive，thenoncemoretheyrallied，andthefighthungdoubtfully。
　　"’Slay，youwar—whelps，’criedMaiwafromthewall。’Areyouafraid，youwomen，youchicken—heartedwomen!Strikehome，ordielikedogs!
　　What——yougiveway!Followme，childrenofNala。’Andwithonelongcrysheleaptfromthewallasleapsastrickenantelope，andholdingthespearpoisedrushedrightintothethickestofthefray。Thewarriorssawher，andraisedsuchashoutthatitechoedlikethunderagainstthemountains。Theymassedtogether，andfollowingtheflutterofherwhiterobecrashedintothedenseheartofthefoe。DownwenttheMatukubeforethemliketreesbeforeawhirlwind。Nothingcouldstandinthefaceofsucharushasthat。Itwasastherushofatorrentburstingitsbanks。Allalongtheirlinesweptthewilddesperatecharge；andthere，straightintheforefrontofthebattle，stillwavedthewhiterobeofMaiwa。
　　"Thentheybroke，and，strickenwithutterpanic，Wambe’ssoldiersstreamedawayascatteredcrowdoffugitives，whileafterthemthunderedthefootfallofthevictors。
　　"Thefightwasover，wehadwontheday；andformypartIsatdownuponastoneandwipedmyforehead，thankingProvidencethatIhadlivedtoseetheendofit。TwentyminuteslaterNala’swarriorsbegantoreturnpanting。’Wambe’ssoldiershadtakentothebushandthecaves，’theysaid，’wheretheyhadnotthoughtitsafetofollowthem，’addingsignificantly，thatmanyhadstoppedontheway。
　　"Iwasutterlydazed，andnowthatthefightwasovermyenergyseemedtohaveleftme，andIdidnotpaymuchattention，tillpresentlyI
　　wasarousedbysomebodycallingmebymyname。Ilookedup，andsawthatitwasthechiefNalahimself，whowasbleedingfromafleshwoundinhisarm。ByhissidestoodMaiwapanting，butunhurt，andwearingonherfaceaproudandterrifyingair。
　　"’Theyaregone，Macumazahn，’saidthechief；’thereislittletofearfromthem，theirheartisbroken。ButwhereisWambethechief？——andwhereisthewhitemanthoucamesttosave？’
　　"’Iknownot，’Ianswered。
　　"ClosetowherewestoodlayaMatuku，ayoungmanwhohadbeenshotthroughthefleshypartofthecalf。Itwasatriflingwound，butitpreventedhimfromrunningaway。
　　"’Say，thoudog，’saidNala，stalkinguptohimandshakinghisredspearinhisface，’say，whereisWambe？Speak，orIslaythee。Washewiththesoldiers？’
　　"’Nay，lord，Iknownot，’groanedtheterrifiedman，’hefoughtnotwithus；Wambehasnostomachforfighting。Perchanceheisinhiskraalyonder，orinthecavebehindthekraal，’andhepointedtoasmallenclosureonthehillside，aboutfourhundredyardstotherightofwherewewere。
　　"’Letusgoandsee，’saidNala，summoninghissoldiers。
　　VIII
　　MAIWAISAVENGED
　　"Theimpiformedup；alas，anhourbeforeithadbeenstrongerbyathirdthanitwasnow。ThenNaladetachedtwohundredmentocollectandattendtotheinjured，andatmysuggestionissuedastringentorderthatnoneoftheenemy’swounded，andaboveallnowomenorchildren，weretobekilled，asisthesavagecustomamongAfricannatives。Onthecontrary，theyweretobeallowedtosendwordtotheirwomenthattheymightcomeintonursethemandfearnothing，forNalamadewaruponWambethetyrant，andnotontheMatukutribe。
　　"Thenwestartedwithsomefourhundredmenforthechief’skraal。
　　Verysoonwewerethere。Itwas，asIhavesaid，placedagainstthemountainside，butwithinthefortifiedlines，anddidnotatallcovermorethananacreandahalfofground。Outsidewasatinyreedfence，withinwhich，neatlyarrangedinasemi—circularline，stoodthehutsofthechief’sprincipalwives。Maiwaofcoursekneweveryinchofthekraal，forshehadlivedinit，andledusstraighttotheentrance。Wepeepedthroughthegateway——notasoulwastobeseen。
　　Therewerethehutsandtherewastheclearopenspaceflooredwithaconcreteoflime，onwhichthesunbeatfiercely，butnobodycouldweseeorhear。
　　"’Thejackalhasgonetoearth，’saidMaiwa；’hewillbeinthecavebehindhishut，’andshepointedwithherspeartowardsanothersmallandsemi—circularenclosure，overwhichalargehutwasvisible，thathadthecliffitselfforabackground。Istaredatthisfence；byGeorge!itwastrue，itwasentirelymadeoftusksofivoryplantedinthegroundwiththeirpointsbendingoutwards。Thesmallestones，thoughnoneweresmall，wereplacednearesttothecliffoneitherside，buttheygraduallyincreasedinsizetilltheyculminatedintwoenormoustusks，which，setupsothattheirpointsmet，somethingintheshapeofaninvertedV，formedthegatewaytothehut。Iwasdumbfounderedwithdelight；andindeed，whereistheelephant—hunterwhowouldnotbe，ifhesuddenlysawfiveorsixhundredpickedtuskssetupinarow，andonlywaitingforhimtotakethemaway？Ofcoursethestuffwaswhatisknownas’black’ivory；thatis，theexteriorofthetuskshadbecomeblackfromyearsorperhapscenturiesofexposuretowindandweather，butIwascertainthatitwouldbenonetheworseforthat。Forgettingthedangerofthedeed，inmyexcitementI
　　actuallyranrightacrosstheopenspace，anddrawingmyknifescratchedvigorouslyatoneofthegreattuskstoseehowdeepthedamagemightbe。AsIthought，itwasnothing；therebeneaththeblackcoveringgleamedthepurewhiteivory。Icouldhavecaperedforjoy，forIfearthatIamverymercenaryatheart，whensuddenlyIheardthefaintechoofacryforassistance。’Help!’screamedavoiceintheSisutudialectfromsomewherebehindthehut；’help!theyaremurderingme。’
　　"/Iknewthevoice/；itwasJohnEvery’s。Oh，whataselfishbrutewasI!Forthemomentthatmiserableivoryhaddriventherecollectionofhimoutofmyhead，andnow——perhapsitwastoolate。
　　"Nala，Maiwa，andthesoldiershadnowcomeup。Theytooheardthevoiceandinterpreteditstone，thoughtheyhadnotcaughtthewords。
　　"’Thisway，’criedMaiwa，andwestartedatarun，passingroundthehutofWambe。Behindwasthenarrowentrancetoacave。Werushedthroughitheedlessofthedangeroftheambush，andthisiswhatwesaw，thoughveryconfusedlyatfirst，owingtothegloom。
　　"Inthecentreofthecave，andwitheitherendsecuredtothefloorbystrongstakes，stoodahugedouble—springedliontrapedgedwithsharpandgrinningteeth。Itwasset，andbeyondthetrap，indeedalmostoverit，aterriblestrugglewasinprogress。Anakedoralmostnakedwhiteman，withagreatbeardhangingdownoverhisbreast，inspiteofhisfuriousstruggles，wasbeingslowlyforcedanddraggedtowardsthetrapbysixoreightwomen。Onlyonemanwaspresent，afat，cruel—lookingmanwithsmalleyesandahanginglip。ItwasthechiefWambe，andhestoodbythetrapreadytoforcethevictimdownuponitsosoonasthewomenhaddraggedhimintothenecessaryposition。
　　"Atthisinstanttheycaughtsightofus，andtherecameamoment’spause，andthen，beforeIknewwhatshewasgoingtodo，Maiwaliftedtheassegaishestillheld，andwhirleditatWambe’shead。Isawtheflashoflightspeedtowardshim，andsodidhe，forhesteppedbackwardtoavoidit——steppedbackwardrightintothetrap。Heyelledwithpainastheironteethofthe’Thingthatbites’sprangupwitharattlingsoundlikelivingfangsandfastenedintohim——suchayellI
　　havenotoftenheard。Nowatlasthetastedofthetorturewhichhehadinflicteduponsomany，andthoughItrustIamaChristian，I
　　cannotsaythatIfeltsorryforhim。
　　"TheassegaispedonandstruckoneofthewomenwhohadholdoftheunfortunateEvery，piercingthroughherarm。Thismadeherleavego，anexamplethattheotherwomenquicklyfollowed，sothatEveryfelltotheground，wherehelaygasping。
　　"’Killthewitches，’roaredNala，inavoiceofthunder，pointingtothegroupofwomen。
　　"’Nay，’gaspedEvery，’sparethem。Hemadethemdoit，’andhepointedtothehumanfiendinthetrap。ThenMaiwawavedherhandtoustofallback，forthemomentofhervengeancewascome。Wedidso，andshestrodeuptoherlord，andflingingthewhiterobefromherstoodbeforehim，herfiercebeautifulfacefixedlikestone。
　　"’WhoamI？’shecriedinsoterribleavoicethatheceasedhisyells。’AmIthatwomanwhowasgiventotheeforwife，andwhosechildthouslewest？OramIanavengingspiritcometoseetheedie？
　　"’Whatisthis？’shewenton，drawingthewitheredbaby—handfromthepouchatherside。
　　"’Isitthehandofababe？andhowcamethathandtobethusalone？
　　Whatcutitofffromthebabe？andwhereisthebabe？Isitahand？orisitthevisionofahandthatshallpresentlytearthythroat？
　　"’Wherearethysoldiers，Wambe？Dotheysleepandeatandgoforthtodothybidding？oraretheyperchancedeadandscatteredlikethewinterleaves？’
　　"Hegroanedandrolledhiseyeswhilethefierce—facedwomanwenton。
　　"’Artthoustillachief，Wambe？ordoesanothertakethyplaceandpower，andsay，Lord，whatdoestthouthere？andwhatisthatslave’slegletuponthyknee？
　　"’Isitadream，Wambe，greatlordandchief？or’——andsheliftedherclenchedhandsandshooktheminhisface——’hathawoman’svengeancefoundtheeoutandawoman’swito’ermatchedthytyrannousstrength？
　　andartthouabouttoslowlydieintormentshorribletothinkon，oh，thouaccursedmurdereroflittlechildren？’
　　"Andwithonewildscreamshedashedthedeadhandofthechildstraightintohisface，andthenfellsenselessonthefloor。Asforthedemoninthetrap，heshrankbacksofarasitsironboundswouldallow，hisyelloweyesstartingoutofhisheadwithpainandterror，andthenoncemorebegantoyell。
　　"ThescenewasmorethanIcouldbear。
　　"’Nala，’Isaid，’thismuststop。Thatmanisafiend，buthemustnotbelefttodiethere。Seethoutoit。’
　　"’Nay，"answeredNala，’lethimtasteofthefoodwherewithhehathfedsomany；leavehimtilldeathshallfindhim。’
　　"’ThatIwillnot，’Ianswered。’Lethisendbeswift；seethoutoit。’
　　"’Asthouwilt，Macumazahn，’answeredthechief，withashrugoftheshoulders；’firstletthewhitemanandMaiwabebroughtforth。’
　　"SothesoldierscameforwardandcarriedEveryandthewomanintotheopenair。Astheformerwasbornepasthistormentor，thefallenchief，socowardlywashiswickedheart，actuallyprayedhimtointercedeforhim，andsavehimfromafatewhich，butforourprovidentialappearance，wouldhavebeenEvery’sown。
　　"Sowewentaway，andinanothermomentoneofthebiggestvillainsontheearthtroubleditnomore。OnceinthefreshairEveryrecoveredquickly。Ilookedathim，andhorrorandsorrowpiercedmethroughtoseesuchasight。Hisfacewasthefaceofamanofsixty，thoughhewasnotyetforty，andhispoorbodywascuttopieceswithstripesandscars，andothermarksofthetormentswhichWambehadforyearsamusedhimselfwithinflictingonhim。
　　"Assoonasherecoveredhimselfalittlehestruggledontohisknees，burstintoaparoxysmofweeping，andclaspingmylegswithhisemaciatedarms，wouldhaveactuallykissedmyfeet。
　　"’Whatareyouabout，oldfellow？’Isaid，forIamnotaccustomedtothatsortofthing，anditmademefeeluncomfortable。
　　"’Oh，Godblessyou？’hemoaned，’Godblessyou!IfonlyyouknewwhatIhavegonethrough；andtothinkthatyoushouldhavecometohelpme，andattheriskofyourownlife!Well，youwerealwaysatruefriend——yes，yes，atruefriend。’
　　"’Bosh，’Iansweredtestily；’I’matrader，andIcameafterthativory，’andIpointedtothestockadeoftusks。’Didyoueverhearofanelephant—hunterwhowouldnothaveriskedhisimmortalsoulforthem，andmuchmorehiscarcase？’
　　"Buthetooknonoticeofmyexplanations，andwentonGodblessingmeashardasever，tillatlastIbethoughtmethatanipofbrandy，ofwhichIhadaflaskfull，mightsteadyhisnervesabit。Igaveithim，andwasnotdisappointedintheresult，forhebriskedupwonderfully。ThenIhuntedaboutinWambe’shut，andfoundakarosstoputoverhispoorbruisedshoulders，andhewasquiteamanagain。
　　"’Now，’Isaid，’whydidthelatelamentedWambewanttoputyouinthattrap？’
　　"’Becauseassoonastheyheardthatthefightwasgoingagainstthem，andthatMaiwawaschargingattheheadofNala’simpi，oneofthewomentoldWambethatshehadseenmewritesomethingonsomeleavesandgivethemtoMaiwabeforeshewentawaytopurifyherself。ThenofcourseheguessedthatIhadtodowithyourseizingthekoppieandholdingitwhiletheimpirushedtheplacefromthemountain，sohedeterminedtotorturemetodeathbeforehelpcouldcome。Oh，heavens!
　　whatamercyitistohearEnglishagain。’
　　"’Howlonghaveyoubeenaprisonerhere，Every？’Iasked。
　　"’Sixyearsandabit，Quatermain；Ihavelostcountoftheoddmonthslately。IcameupherewithMajorAldeyandthreeothergentlemenandfortybearers。ThatdevilWambeambushedus，andmurderedthelottogettheirguns。Theyweren’tmuchusetohimwhenhegotthem，beingbreech—loaders，forthefoolsfiredawayalltheammunitioninamonthortwo。However，theyareallingoodorder，andhangingupinthehutthere。Theydidn’tkillmebecauseoneofthemsawmemendingagunjustbeforetheyattackedus，sotheykeptmeasakindofarmourer。
　　TwiceItriedtomakeaboltofit，butwascaughteachtime。LasttimeWambehadmefloggedverynearlytodeath——youcanseethescarsuponmyback。IndeedIshouldhavediedifithadn’tbeenforthegirlMaiwa，whonursedmebystealth。Hegotthataccursedliontrapamongourthingsalso，andIsupposehehastorturedbetweenoneandtwohundredpeopletodeathinit。Itwashisfavouriteamusement，andhewouldgoeverydayandsitandwatchhisvictimtillhedied。
　　Sometimeshewouldgivehimfoodandwatertokeephimalivelonger，tellinghimorherthathewouldlethimgoifhelivedtillacertainday。Butheneverdidletthemgo。Theyalldiedthere，andIcouldshowyoutheirbonesbehindthatrock。’
　　"’Thedevil!’Isaid，grindingmyteeth。’IwishIhadn’tinterfered；
　　IwishIhadlefthimtothesamefate。’
　　"’Well，hegotatasteofitanyway，’saidEvery；’I’mgladhegotataste。There’sjusticeinit，andnowhe’sgonetohell，andIhopethereisanotheronereadyforhimthere。ByJove!Ishouldliketohavethesettingofit。’
　　"Andsohetalkedon，andIsatandlistenedtohim，wonderinghowhehadkepthisreasonforsomanyyears。Buthedidn’ttalkasIhavetoldit，inplainEnglish。Hespokeveryslowly，andasthoughhehadgotsomethinginhismouth，continuallyusingnativewordsbecausetheEnglishoneshadslippedhismemory。
　　"AtlastNalacameupandtoldusthatfoodwasmadeready，andthankfulenoughweweretogetit，Icantellyou。Afterwehadeatenweheldaconsultation。QuiteathousandofWambe’ssoldierswereput/horsdecombat/，butatleasttwothousandremainedhiddeninthebushandrocks，andthesemen，togetherwiththoseintheoutlyingkraals，wereasourceofpossibledanger。Thequestionarose，therefore，whatwastobedone——weretheytobefollowedorleftalone？Iwaitedtilleverybodyhadspoken，somegivingoneopinionandsomeanother，andthenbeingappealedtoIgavemine。ItwastotheeffectthatNalashouldtakealeafoutofthegreatZuluT’Chaka’sbook，andincorporatethetribe，notdestroyit。Wehadagoodmanywomenamongtheprisoners。Letthem，Isuggested，besenttothehiding—placesofthesoldiersandmakeanoffer。IfthemenwouldcomeandlaydowntheirarmsanddeclareallegiancetoNala，theyandtheirtownandcattleshouldbespared。Wambe’scattlealonewouldbeseizedastheprizeofwar。Moreover，Wambehavingleftnochildren，hiswifeMaiwashouldbedeclaredchieftainessofthetribe，underNala。Iftheydidnotacceptthisofferbythemorningoftheseconddayitshouldbetakenasadeclarationthattheywishedtocontinuethewar。
　　Theirtownshouldbeburned，theircattle，whichourmenwerealreadycollectinganddrivinginingreatnumbers，wouldbetaken，andtheyshouldbehunteddown。
　　"Thisadvicewasatoncedeclaredtobewise，andactedon。Thewomenweredespatched，andIsawfromtheirfacesthattheyneverexpectedtogetsuchterms，anddidnotthinkthattheirmissionwouldbeinvain。Nevertheless，wespentthatafternooninpreparationsagainstpossiblesurprise，andalsoincollectingallthewoundedofbothpartiesintoahospital，whichweextemporizedoutofsomehuts，andthereattendingtothemasbestwecould。
　　"ThateveningEveryhadthefirstpipeoftobaccothathehadtastedforsixyears。Poorfellow，henearlycriedwithjoyoverit。Thenightpassedwithoutanysignofattack，andonthefollowingmorningwebegantoseetheeffectofourmessage，forwomen，children，andafewmencameininlittleknots，andtookpossessionoftheirhuts。Itwasofcourseratherdifficulttopreventourmenfromlooting，andgenerallygoingonasnatives，andforthematterofthatwhitementoo，areinthehabitofdoingafteravictory。ButonemanwhoafterwarningwascaughtmaltreatingawomanwasbroughtoutandkilledbyNala’sorder，andthoughtherewasalittlegrumbling，thatputastoptofurthertrouble。
　　"Onthesecondmorningtheheadmenandnumbersoftheirfollowerscameiningroups，andaboutmiddayadeputationoftheformerpresentedthemselvesbeforeuswithouttheirweapons。Theywereconquered，theysaid，andWambewasdead，sotheycametohearthewordsofthegreatlionwhohadeatenthemup，andofthecraftywhiteman，thejackal，whohaddugaholeforthemtofallin，andofMaiwa，LadyofWar，whohadledthechargeandturnedthefateofthebattle。
　　"Soweletthemhearthewords，andwhenwehaddoneanoldmanroseandsaid，thatinthenameofthepeopleheacceptedtheyokethatwaslaidupontheirshoulders，andthatthemoregladlybecauseeventheruleofawomancouldnotbeworsethantheruleofWambe。Moreover，theyknewMaiwa，theLadyofWar，andfearedhernot，thoughshewasawitchandterribletoseeinbattle。
　　"ThenNalaaskedhisdaughterifshewaswillingtobecomechieftainessofthetribeunderhim。
　　"Maiwa，whohadbeenverysilentsinceherrevengewasaccomplished，answeredyes，thatshewas，andthatherruleshouldbegoodandgentletothosewhoweregoodandgentletoher，butthefrowardandrebelliousshewouldsmitewitharodofiron；whichfrommyknowledgeofhercharacterIthoughtexceedinglyprobable。
　　"Theheadmanrepliedthatthatwasagoodsaying，andtheydidnotcomplainatit，andsothemeetingended。
　　"Nextdaywespentinpreparationsfordeparture。Mineconsistedchieflyinsuperintendingthediggingupofthestockadeofivorytusks，whichIdidwiththegreatestsatisfaction。Thereweresomefivehundredofthemaltogether。ImadeinquiriesaboutitfromEvery，whotoldmethatthestockadehadbeentheresolongthatnobodyseemedtoknowexactlywhohadcollectedthetusksoriginally。Therewas，however，akindofsuperstitiousfeelingaboutthemwhichhadalwayspreventedthechiefsfromtryingtosellthisgreatmassofivory。EveryandIexamineditcarefully，andfoundthatalthoughitwassoolditsqualitywasreallyasgoodasever，andtherewasverylittlesoftivoryinthelot。AtfirstIwasratherafraidlest，nowthatmyserviceshadbeenrendered，Nalashouldhesitatetopartwithsomuchvaluableproperty，butthiswasnotthecase。WhenIspoketohimonthesubjecthemerelysaid，’Takeit，Macumazahn，takeit；youhaveearneditwell，’and，tospeakthetruth，thoughIsayitwhoshouldn’t，IthinkIhad。SowepressedseveralhundredMatukubearersintoourservice，andnextdaymarchedoffwiththelot。
　　"BeforewewentItookaformalfarewellofMaiwa，whomweleftwithabodyguardofthreehundredmentoassistherinsettlingthecountry。
　　Shegavemeherhandtokissinaqueenlysortofway，andthensaid，"’Macumazahn，youareabraveman，andhavebeenafriendtomeinmyneed。Ifeveryouwanthelporshelter，rememberthatMaiwahasagoodmemoryforfriendandfoe。AllIhaveisyours。
　　"AndsoIthankedherandwent。Shewascertainlyaveryremarkablewoman。AyearortwoagoIheardthatherfatherNalawasdead，andthatshehadsucceededtothechieftainshipofbothtribes，whichsheruledwithgreatjusticeandfirmness。
　　"IcanassureyouthatweascendedthepassleadingtoWambe’stownwithfeelingsverydifferentfromthosewithwhichwehaddescendeditafewdaysbefore。ButifIwasgratefulfortheissueofevents，youcaneasilyimaginewhatpoorEvery’sfeelingswere。Whenwegottothetopofthepass，beforethewholeimpiheactuallyfloppeddownuponhiskneesandthankedHeavenforhisescape，thetearsrunningdownhisface。Butthen，asIhavesaid，hisnerveswereshaken——thoughnowthathisbeardwastrimmedandhehadsomesortofclothesonhisback，andhopeinhisheart，helookedaverydifferentmanfromthepoorwretchwhomwehadrescuedfromdeathbytorture。
　　"Well，weseparatedfromNalaatthelittlestairwayorpassoverthemountain——EveryandIandtheivorygoingdowntheriverwhichIhadcomeupafewweeksbefore，andthechiefreturningtohisownkraalonthefurthersideofthemountain。Hegaveusanescortofahundredandfiftymen，however，withinstructionstoaccompanyusforsixdays’journey，andtokeeptheMatukubearersinorderandthenreturn。Iknewthatinsixdaysweshouldbeabletoreachadistrictwhereporterswereplentiful，andwhencewecouldeasilygettheivoryconveyedtoDelagoaBay。"
　　"Anddidyoulanditupsafe？"Iasked。
　　"Wellno，"saidQuatermain，"welostaboutathirdofitincrossingariver。Afloodcamedownsuddenlyjustasthemenwerecrossingandmanyofthemhadtothrowdowntheirtuskstosavetheirlives。Wehadnomeansofdraggingitup，andsowewereobligedtoleaveit，whichwasverysad。However，wesoldwhatremainedfornearlyseventhousandpounds，sowedidnotdosobadly。Idon’tmeanthatIgotseventhousandpoundsoutofit，because，yousee，IinsisteduponEverytakingahalfshare。Poorfellow，hehadearnedit，ifeveramandid。
　　Hesetupastoreintheoldcolonyontheproceedsanddiduncommonlywell。"
　　"Andwhatdidyoudowiththeliontrap？"askedSirHenry。
　　"Oh，Ibroughtthatawaywithmealso，andwhenIreachedDurbanIputitinmyhouse。ButreallyIcouldnotbeartositoppositetoitatnightsasIsmoked。Visionsofthatpoorwomanandthehandofherdeadchildwouldriseupinmymind，andalsoofallthehorrorsofwhichithadbeentheinstrument。Ibegantodreamatlastthatitheldmebytheleg。Thiswastoomuchformynerves，soIjustpackeditupandshippedittoitsmakerinEngland，whosenamewasstampeduponthesteel，sendinghimaletteratthesametimetotellhimtowhatpurposetheinfernalmachinehadbeenput。Ibelievethathegaveittosomemuseumorother。"
　　"Andwhatbecameofthetusksofthethreebullswhichyoushot!YoumusthaveleftthematNala’skraal，Isuppose。"
　　Theoldgentleman’sfacefellatthisquestion。
　　"Ah，"hesaid，"thatisaverysadstory。NalapromisedtosendthemwithmygoodstomyagentatDelagoa，andsohedid。Butthemenwhobroughtthemwereunarmed，and，asithappened，theyfellinwithaslavecaravanunderthecommandofahalf—bredPortuguese，whoseizedthetusks，andwhatisworse，sworethathehadshotthem。Ipaidhimoutafterwards，however，"headdedwithasmileofsatisfaction，"butitdidnotgivemebackmytusks，whichnodoubthavebeenturnedintohairbrusheslongago；"andhesighed。
　　"Well，"saidGood，"thatisacapitalyarnofyours，Quatermain，but————"
　　"Butwhat？"heaskedsharply，foreseeingadraw。
　　"ButIdon’tthinkthatitwassogoodasmineabouttheibex——ithasn’tthesame/finish/。"
　　Mr。Quatermainmadenoreply。Goodwasbeneathit。
　　"Doyouknow，gentlemen，"hesaid，"itishalf—pasttwointhemorning，andifwearegoingtoshootthebigwoodto—morrowweoughttoleavehereatnine—thirtysharp。"
　　"Oh，ifyoushootforahundredyearsyouwillneverbeattherecordofthosethreewoodcocks，"Isaid。
　　"Orofthosethreeelephants，"addedSirHenry。
　　Andthenweallwenttobed，andIdreamedthatIhadmarriedMaiwa，andwasmuchafraidofthatattractivebutdeterminedlady。