in throwing, only their big knives would remain to them with which to attack us.
After this discharge of spears which was kept up for some time, they rushed at us and there followed a great fight. The Zulus, throwing down their guns, rose to their feet and holding their little fighting shields which had been carried in their mats, in the left hand, wielded their axes with the right. Umslopogaas, who stood in the centre of them, however, had no shield and swung his great axe with both arms. This was the first time that I had seen him fight and the spectacle was in a way magnificent. Again and again that axe crashed down and every time it fell it left one dead beneath the stroke, till at length those Amahagger shrank back out of his reach.
Meanwhile Robertson, Hans and I, standing on some stones at the back, kept up a continual fire upon them, shooting over the heads of the Zulus, who were playing their part like men. Yes, they shrank back, leaving many dead behind them. Then a captain tried to gather them for another rush, and once more they moved forward. I killed that captain with a revolver shot, for my rifle had become too hot to hold, and at the sight of his fall, they broke and ran back into the little hollow where our bullets could not reach them.
So far we had held our own, but at a price, for three of the Zulus were now dead and three more wounded, one of them severely, the other two but enough to cripple them. In fact, now there were left of them but three untouched men, and Umslopogaas, so that in all for fighting purposes we were but seven. What availed it that we had killed a great number of these Amahagger, when we were but seven? How could seven men withstand such another onslaught?
There in the pale light of the dawn we looked at each other dismayed.
Now,
said Umslopogaas, leaning on his red axe, there remains but one thing to do, make a good end, though I would that it were in a greater cause. At least we must either fight or fly,
and he looked down at the wounded.
Think not of us, Father,
murmured one of them, the man who had a mortal hurt. If it is best, kill us and begone that you may live to bear the Axe in years to come.
Well spoken!
said Umslopogaas, and again stood still a while, then added, The word is with you, Macumazahn, who are our captain.
