Presently puffs of smoke began to start
from the schanses, and with my glasses I could see several of our men
falling over. Then as they came opposite a schanse that portion of the
long line of warriors would thicken up and charge it with a wild rush. I
could see them leap on to the walls and vanish into the depths beneath,
some of their number falling backward on each occasion, shot or stabbed
to death.
"Next would come another act in the tragedy. Out from the hither side of
the schanse would pour such of its defenders as were left alive, perhaps
three or four and perhaps a dozen, running for dear life, with the war
dogs on their tracks. One by one they would be caught, then up flashed
the great spear and down fell the pursued--dead. I saw ten of our men
leap into one large schanse, but though I watched for some time nobody
came out. Afterwards we inspected the place and found these men all
dead, together with twenty-three Matukus. Neither side would give in,
and they had fought it out to the bitter end.
"At last they neared the second line of fortifications, behind which
the whole remaining Matuku force, numbering some two thousand men, was
rapidly assembling. One little pause to get their breath, and Nala's men
came at it with a rush and a long wild shout of '_Bulala Matuku_' (kill
the Matuku) that went right through me, thrilling every nerve. Then came
an answering shout, and the sounds of heavy firing, and presently I saw
our men retreating, somewhat fewer in numbers than they had advanced.
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