"'This being done, at the dawn of day the impi on the mountain behind
the town must light a fire and put wet grass on it, so that the smoke
goes up. Then at the sight of the smoke we in the koppie will begin to
shoot into the town of Wambe, and all the soldiers will run to kill us.
But we will hold our own, and while we fight the impi shall charge down
the mountain side and climb the schanses, and put those who defend them
to the assegai, and then falling upon the town shall surprise it, and
drive the soldiers of Wambe as a wind blows the dead husks of corn. This
is my plan. I have spoken.'
"'_Ou!_' said Nala, 'it is good, it is very good. The white man is
cleverer than a jackal. Yes, so shall it be; and may the snake of the
Butiana people stand up upon its tail and prosper the war, for so shall
we be rid of Wambe and the tyrannies of Wambe.'
"After that the girl Maiwa stood up, and once more producing the
dreadful little dried hand, made her father and several of his head
councillors swear by it and upon it that they would carry out the war of
vengeance to the bitter end. It was a very curious sight to see. And by
the way, the fight that ensued was thereafter known among the tribes of
that district as the War of the Little Hand.
"The next two days were busy ones for us. Messengers were sent out,
and every available man of the Butiana tribe was ordered up to 'a great
dance.' The country was small, and by the evening of the second day,
some twelve hundred and fifty men were assembled with their assegais and
shields, and a fine hardy troop they were.
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