Before a start could be made the next morning, Moselekatse's braves were
seen assembling in large force on the opposite bank of the river. As we
have said, the women, children, and cattle had been sent forward with
all possible haste, while most of the men remained to check the advance
of the enemy, and, if possible, cover the retreat for another day.
The Bushman Swartboy had been put in charge of several oxen laden with
ivory,--a responsible trust, that partly reconciled him to the annoyance
of leaving his white masters behind, and with no one to look after them
but Congo, who, as he asserted, was always leading them into trouble.
On leaving home, the young hunters had taken the precaution to bring
with them several guns, besides those used in the chase; and now the
reserve pieces were brought out and made ready for use. By early
daybreak the Matabili commenced crossing. Urged by the fear of the
tyrant's displeasure, in case their cowardice being reported to him,
they advanced recklessly into the stream.
The first five or six were shot down. This did not check the ardour of
the others, who rushed madly down the bank, and commenced wading through
the water, which rose above their waists.
The only landing-place on the opposite side was by a small galley or
ravine, not more than ten feet in breadth. To ascend through this
gulley would be a work of some difficulty, even if unopposed. But with
the passage disputed by the spears of the opposing Makololo, it would be
one of desperate danger. For all that, the Matabili determined on the
attempt, and were soon in the act of making it.
Plunging madly across the drift, they were soon gathered in a grand
crowd at the entrance of the gulley, and striving to ascend it five or
six at a time. The passage would admit of no more. At the first glance
Macora saw the advantage of his position, and encouraged his men to hold
it. Not one of a dozen of the Matabili, who strove to enter the ravine,
succeeded in getting up its slippery sides. Without a firm footing
their assegais and shields could not be used to any advantage; and their
dead bodies were soon swept off by the current of the river.
Those who succeeded in getting a little way up the gulley were opposed
by enemies on both sides of it, and easily speared to death. Meanwhile
the white hunters were constantly loading and firing upon those who
could not be reached by the spears of the Makololo; and in less than ten
minutes the enemy again discovered that they had made a mistake. They
saw the impracticability of getting across the river while opposed from
the opposite bank. When this fact became fully comprehended, they
retreated to the other shore, and the roar of battle was again hushed,
or only continued by wild cries of vengeance.
In this second combat only four or five of the Makololo were wounded;
their wounds being caused by assegais thrown by those who had no other
opportunity of using their weapons.
Knowing that, should he abandon such a good position for defence, his
enemies would immediately pursue, Macora determined to hold it, if
possible, until such time as the unprotected portion of his tribe could
get to some point distant from the scene of danger. For two hours the
hostile parties on both sides of the river remained without further
strife, except that which might be called a war of words. Threats and
taunting speeches were freely exchanged, and mutual invitations to come
across,--none of which was accepted.
It was at length determined by Macora and his people to leave the place,
and proceed after the retreating tribe. It was not to be done, however,
without a _ruse_; otherwise the Matabili would immediately cross and
follow them. But this very thing had been thought of by Hendrik, who
now laid his plan before the chief.
"Let all of your people steal off," said he to Macora. "The trees will
hinder the enemy from seeing them go. We that are mounted can easily
escape at any time. Let us stay, then, and keep showing ourselves to
the enemy as long as we can deceive them."
The plan appeared feasible, excellent. Macora at once gave consent to
its being put into execution.
"Stay," said Groot Willem. "Don't make any movement till I open
practice upon them with my long roer. I think the gun will carry to
where they are, over yonder. An occasional bullet whistling past their
ears will let them know that some of us are still here, and keep them
from suspecting that the others are gone."
As Willem spoke, he crept out to a projecting point upon the bank, and,
taking aim at a big Matabili who stood conspicuous on the other side,
let fly at him. The man, with a loud yell, tumbled over in his tracks,
while others, also exposed, hastened to conceal themselves behind the
bushes. At this crisis the Makololo stole silently away, leaving their
chief, with Sindo and one or two others who had horses, along with the
four hunters, to guard the crossing of the stream.
During nearly an hour that they remained by the drift, no other attempt
was made by the Matabili to approach near the bank. Nothing was seen of
them; and Macora, beginning to suspect that they might have withdrawn
from the place and got over by some other drift, suggested the giving up
the guard, and hastening on after his tribe. There was good sense in
the suggestion; for if the Matabili had found another crossing, the
tribe might be in danger. It was determined, therefore, to withdraw,
but in such a way that the enemy might still believe them to be there.
Several articles of dress were hung upon the bushes, only slightly
showing towards the opposite side of the stream, and in such fashion as
to look like a portion of their persons; and then, Groot Willem firing a
last shot from his great gun, the guard withdrew one after another,
riding stealthily off among the trees.
The sun was not more than an hour high, when they overtook their
retreating comrades on foot, and a little later, all going together,
came up with the women and children. As it was now near sundown, and
water chanced to be close at hand, they decided to halt there for the
night.
The Makololo chief was fortunate in overtaking his people at the time he
did. Ten minutes later and they would have met with a greater
misfortune than had yet befallen them; for, scarce had Macora commanded
the halt, when a party of about a hundred Matabili were discovered
hovering upon the flanks of the proposed camping-place, that, but for
the arrival of Macora and his men, would have instantly made their
attack. This party of the enemy must have crossed a drift higher up the
river, as it was from that direction they appeared to have come.
Not thinking themselves strong enough to begin the assault, for their
design had been to come up with the women and children while the
warriors were by the river, the Matabili kept their distance. But this
was soon increased by the action of the white hunters, who, mounted on
their horses and making use of their guns, were more than a match for
the hundred. These riding towards them, and firing a few shots, sent
the Matabili scampering off to a safer distance. Having chased the
hundred warriors out of sight, they returned to the camp, where they
found Macora in a state of great anxiety. He could see nothing before
him but the destruction of himself and his tribe. Groot Willem demanded
an explanation of his increased apprehension, and reminded the chief
that in their encounters with the enemy they had been so far successful.
Macora stated in reply his belief that two of more detachments of
Moselekatse's army had been sent against him. They would yet unite and
show no quarter to him, his tribe, or his friends. Their losses in the
last two encounters had been too great for them to show the least mercy.
He furthermore informed his guests that none of Moselekatse's warriors
dare return to their chief unsuccessful. Both they and their leaders
would be put to death; and this knowledge would stimulate them to a
total recklessness of danger and a determination to succeed in their
enterprise.
"There is but one plan I can think of," continued the Makololo
chief,--"but one way of saving my poor people, and that is, by
sacrificing myself. By hurrying on to the west, they may yet succeed in
evading the pursuit of these Matabili, and join their own kindred under
the sway of the great chief Sebituane. He would be able to protect
them. As for me," added Macora with a sigh, "I cannot go along with
them."
The young hunters asked for an explanation, and it was given. Owing to
some long past misunderstanding, Macora had incurred this ill-will of
Sebituane, who never forgot nor forgave an offence, and, were he to
return there, would surely order him to be killed.
Macora's advice to the hunters was, that, provided as they were with
horses, they should remove themselves out of the reach of danger, by
taking their departure for their homes. This generous counsel Groot
Willem at once refused to follow, and all the rest joined him in
declining it, each saying something to give encouragement to the other.
As for Macora's own people, they now gave a rare proof of their loyalty.
When counselled by their chief to save themselves, and leave him to his
fate, one and all rebelled against the proposal; the warriors loudly
declaring that sooner than forsake him they would die by his side.
For the first time in their lives our adventurers saw a chief who
appeared to suffer affliction from being too much beloved by his people!
He proposed saving their lives at the expense of his own, by requesting
them to carry him a captive to Sebituane! But his followers were loyal
to a man: to a man they rejected the proposal.