Part 17 (1/2)
The tings could now be seen creeping up the hillside Shortly afterwards the an to ascend
Occasionally a herd of deer or sa for the hill, others darting to the one side or the other, probably to fall victiais of the warriors
Hendricks, although as resolved as ever not to engage in the fight, was still compelled to move forward The hill covered with trees afforded asthe summit, in the rear of the troops, he was able to obtain a view over the country beyond It was a co across it On the nearer side of the river, and at no great distance from the bottom of the slope, could be seen the forces of U them that they had just obtained information of the approach of Cetchwayo's ar the hill, so for the assault on either side, but it appeared to Hendricks that they were uncertain in what direction theythemselves concealed, Cetchwayo's warriors descended the hillside Nearer and nearer they drew to the foe, the wings being gradually extended, and at the sa in towards each other
Thus, even before the attack had commenced, Umbulazi's force was almost entirely surrounded It had probably been Cetchwayo's intention completely to hem in his enemies; but before there was ti, and apparently supposing it to be the nal to his whole force to commence the attack, and in an instant, from the hitherto silent woods and thickets, hideous shrieks and yells arose, and the warriors, no longer taking pains to conceal the their shi+elds and quivering their assegais
The rear of Umbulazi's force was completely taken by surprise To fly was iht hand or to the left; their own people engaged with the ene in that direction Their only resource was to face about and endeavour to drive back their assailants, or to defend the rushed down on what had been their right flank, and the slaughter commenced
Vastly outnuy of despair So their assailants, pleaded for mercy, but they pleaded with those to whoais of Cetchwayo's warriors did their death work rapidly and surely His victorious bands pressed forward, closing in on their victih his telescope, which he occasionally handed to Crawford and Denis The scene enacted on the ground near the foot of the hill could be clearly observed with the naked eye, but through the glass alone could be distinguished as taking place in the distance
One path leading towards the river alone remained open, and towards it a feho had been posted in that direction were seen endeavouring to reater number were pursued and overtaken; but one warrior, who had exhibited wonderful activity, kept those chasing hiht one after the other to the ground; then oncein, was no ot off,” exclai him anxiously ”I hope he'll make his escape; for he ht his ene on below us”
The battle-field had now becohter
Here and there a few groups could be discerned standing a one of their chiefs, and hurling back the assegais aiht on their shi+elds, and which had fallen at their sides; but the nu: first one man fell, then another, then another, until several were seen to fall together, and at last their ene their assegais, brought the re those who had fallen with repeated thrusts of their sharp weapons At length but one group reazed fiercely round the dead at their feet Still they fought on, keeping their assailants at bay In their ure, a very Ajax in appearance Cetchwayo, seeing the determined resistance offered, and that nu, suile was fierce, but of short duration Scarcely a minute elapsed before he was seen to sweep over the spot, tra on the bodies of the slain, into which his folloere fiercely plunging their weapons Of the adherents of Umbulazi, who in all the pride of manhood had a short hour before occupied that now blood-stained field, not a man remained alive
”Now is our tihter,” exclaied in rejoicing over their victory to think of us, and we are not bound to reuards, it should have been said, excited beyond all control at the scene of bloodshed, had rushed down to join in the work of slaughter Not a irths, the partyup the rear,” said Hendricks ”We shall gain the waggon, and be able to push on towards the border, before Cetchwayo sends in pursuit of us, if he thinks it worth while to do so Having gained a victory, he will be in an especially good humour; but if we remain now, he will perhaps take it into his head to detain us for the purpose of co us to witness his triu to mount They had retained their arms, and as their horses had moved only at a slow pace, and had had plenty of ti ride
Hendricks gave the word, and Denis leading, off they started They were soon down the hill and across the plain which they had before traversed, uards had been left Hendricks occasionally turned his head to ascertain if they were pursued; but as no one was to be seen, he felt satisfied that Cetchwayo had not discovered their flight, and the probability was that he would not do so for round was level, they did not spare their steeds until they reached the waggon, some hours before sundown
The Hottentot and Kaffir servants welcon of joy
Not aware of the superiority of Cetchwayo's arht have been defeated, and that the pursuing ene associated with hiave the order to inspan, and bestowing presents on the Zulus who had been left to assist in guarding the waggon, he advised them immediately to return home
They, without demur, took their departure, well satisfied with the presents they had received, and the oxen were urged on at as rapid a rate as they could be got to ress was ot over before sunset
They caround round which was covered with trees, so that the light of their fire could not be seen to any distance
The chirrup of the cricket on the hearth is not more faland, than is the roar of the lion to the ears of the traveller in Africa Our friends had becos, as well as to the loud roars of the king of beasts, that, provided the sounds came from a distance, they scarcely interrupted their slue and hungry than usual, ventured up to the ca expedition, it was not only difficult but impossible for any one to sleep; indeed, common prudence required that all should be on the watch, with their weapons ready to defend themselves or the cattle, should they be attacked
As there was still nearly an hour of daylight to spare, Hendricks, with Lionel and Denis, ere always ready to start on a hunting expedition, went off in search of gah they have not often beendue notice of the approach of strangers or any aniot far from the camp when Hendricks shot an antelope, and to save the necessity of returning at once, it was hoisted up on to the branch of a tree to prevent its being eaten by the jackals and hyenas which would quickly have found it out They went on for so ahead, exclai; there is so a lion, which, however, instead of co towards them, made its way in the direction of the caame, or the brute would have had it,”
observed Denis, as they followed the lion ”I only hope our friends in ca them and do some mischief”
As soon as the lion had turned tail, the three dogs set off in pursuit, Hendricks and his co leisurely; but when he heard the barking of the dogs and the shouts of the hunters, anted hiet a shot at hiot ahead of the other two dogs, and at length ale more than his discretion; for had the lion turned suddenly, he would have paid dearly for his boldness; but probably the lion was scarcely aware how close his pursuer was to hi to the antelope in the tree, he stopped and evinced a strong inclination to try and pull it down He saever, that it was beyond his reach, and again went on, until he was in sight of the waggon and oxen; but fortunately he was seen, and the Hottentots and Kaffirs began shrieking and shouting to drive hiuns, ready to fire as soon as he should cos had kept all this time close after the chase, but well knew that one kick fro into the air with a cracked skull
Still, carried away by the excite forward to throw himself on the lion's quarters, when the latter beca a bound forward, stopped, turned, and crouched Fangs saw his danger, and turned to flee, barely in ti after his went, however, fleet as the wind, followed by the lion, with his , his ears pricked forward, and his tail erect