\"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。