Cetchwayo's army, like a devouring host of locusts, advanced across the
country in an extended line, burning the kraals belonging to the chiefs
who had sided with Umbulazi, or were supposed to have sided with him,
trampling down their mealy fields, and destroying their crops. Old men,
women, and children were indiscriminately put to death when found within
the huts. The greater number had fled to die in the woods of hunger, or
to be devoured by wild beasts. No mercy was shown to those who were
captured. The warriors believed victory was certain, for the prophetess
had declared that all the auguries were favourable. One more
preliminary performance had to be gone through--a grand war dance of the
whole army, to excite their enthusiasm, and to warm up their courage to
the highest pitch. The scouts had brought the information that the
enemy were still some distance in advance, and that there was no fear of
the performance being interrupted. The army had been drawn in on
purpose, and were assembled on a level plain backed by a hill to the
eastward, which they had just crossed. On either side were woods, while
a stream ran in front. On the slope of the hill, Cetchwayo took his
stand, with Hendricks and his other prisoners--for such they were
compelled to consider themselves--near him.
The regiments, headed by their respective chiefs, or colonels, as they
really were, advanced from the woods on either side in due order; the
tall plumes of the chiefs, their skin cloaks, and ox-tail adornments,
fluttering in the breeze. They advanced, singing a monotonous chant,
describing the heroic deeds they were about to perform, till each
regiment in turn came in front of Cetchwayo, when halting, the men
formed a semi-circle, and began slowly moving their feet and arms. As
they grew more excited, their action increased in energy and fierceness,
and their songs became louder, until at length there was a perfect storm
of singing, yelling, and stamping. At the same time the utmost
regularity was kept up; their feet, for they did not move from their
positions, leaving deep dents in the ground. Notwithstanding the
turmoil and apparent disorder which prevailed, they kept perfect time
with their voices, arms, and feet. At length, when well-nigh exhausted
from their exertions, having received the approval of their general,
they moved on to give place to another regiment, which performed
precisely the same manoeuvres, except that the men endeavoured to outdo
their predecessors in loudness of voice and vehemence of action.
Ten regiments were thus passed in review, forming a force of as many
thousand men.
"I suspect poor Umbulazi will have very little chance against these
fellows, if they once come up with him," observed Denis to Crawford.
"His best chance will be to escape across the border, where I do not
suppose that Cetchwayo will venture to follow him."
"From your account, he and his followers are perfect savages, and these
fellows are much of the same description," answered Crawford. "For my
part, I wish we were out of the country. I am surprised that Captain
Broderick should have ventured to settle in the neighbourhood of such
people. I had formed a very different notion of them before I came
out."
"Of course they are very much like other Kaffirs," said Denis. "They
have no more regard for human life than they have for that of the
animals they chase. They have become formidable from the way they have
been trained by a succession of clever chiefs like Cetchwayo, though I
don't suppose that old Panda has ever done much to maintain good
discipline in his army. However, as Cetchwayo is well disposed towards
the English, he will not give much trouble to the colony."
"Not as long as he considers it to his advantage to keep friends with
the English," remarked Crawford. "But suppose they offend him, how will
he act?"
"A few red coats and our colonial militia would soon keep him in order,
should he show any inclination to quarrel," said Denis.
The conversation was interrupted by a loud shout from Cetchwayo ordering
the army to advance, when they spread out as before, forming one vast
semi-circle, that is, the wings were in advance of the main body, so
that should an enemy be encountered, they might close in and surround
him. In this order they advanced until dark, when they halted, each man
carrying his provisions, so that there was no necessity for forming a
camp or lighting a fire, which would have shown their position to the
enemy. Our friends, who had also brought some food in their holsters,
lay down on the ground near Cetchwayo.
The night passed quietly, with only an occasional alarm from wild
beasts, who however speedily decamped on finding themselves in the
neighbourhood of so vast a concourse of people, and at early dawn the
army again advanced. In a short time much excitement was caused among
the ranks, for scouts came continually hurrying back with information
respecting the movements of the enemy.
A line of hills of no great elevation rose in front, extending north and
south for a considerable distance. These had to be surmounted, when
Cetchwayo told Hendricks that he expected to find Umbulazi's force on
the other side. Not a word was spoken along the whole line; for
although the warriors themselves could not have been heard by the main
body of the enemy, the scouts might have discovered their advance.
Cetchwayo now told Hendricks and his companions to dismount and lead on
their horses, keeping a short distance in the rear of the army.
The Zulu warriors advanced in the same order as before, as fast as the
nature of the ground would allow, concealing themselves as much as
possible, by taking advantage of the trees and bushes and tufts of tall
grass, so that a person standing on the summit of the hill, if he had
perceived them at all, would have had no conception of their numbers.
Whenever shelter was wanting, they stooped down, and very often crawled
along the ground like snakes amid the grass.
The two wings could now be seen creeping up the hillside. Shortly
afterwards the main body reached the bottom, and also began to ascend.
Occasionally a herd of deer or smaller game, driven out of their
coverts, started off, some making for the hill, others darting to the
one side or the other, probably to fall victims to the noiseless
assegais 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
as much shelter as the lower ground had done. On gaining the summit, in
the rear of the troops, he was able to obtain a view over the country
beyond. It was a comparatively level region, with a broad river running
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 Umbulazi. It
was tolerably evident from the movement among them that they had just
obtained information of the approach of Cetchwayo's army. The chiefs
were marshalling their men, some facing the hill, some preparing for the
assault on either side, but it appeared to Hendricks that they were
uncertain in what direction they might be attacked.
Slowly, and still keeping themselves concealed, Cetchwayo's warriors
descended the hillside. Nearer and nearer they drew to the foe, the
wings being gradually extended, and at the same time closing 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 time to do so,
they had discovered his right wing, and apparently supposing it to be
the main body, advanced to meet it. On this he gave the signal 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 themselves, rushed on at
headlong speed, clashing their shields and quivering their assegais.
The rear of Umbulazi's force was completely taken by surprise. To fly
was impossible, either to the right hand or to the left; their own
people engaged with the enemy in front, preventing them from moving in
that direction. Their only resource was to face about and endeavour to
drive back their assailants, or to defend themselves to the last. Now
the main body appearing rushed down on what had been their right flank,
and the slaughter commenced.
Vastly outnumbered and completely surrounded, they fought with the
energy of despair. Some few of the younger men, seeing relatives and
friends among their assailants, pleaded for mercy, but they pleaded with
those to whom mercy was unknown. The sharp assegais of Cetchwayo's
warriors did their death work rapidly and surely. His victorious bands
pressed forward, closing in on their victims.
Hendricks stood observing the battle through 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 what was
taking place in the distance.
One path leading towards the river alone remained open, and towards it a
few who had been posted in that direction were seen endeavouring to make
their escape. The greater number were pursued and overtaken; but one
warrior, who had exhibited wonderful activity, kept those chasing him at
bay, and hurling his assegais with unerring aim, brought one after the
other to the ground; then once more resuming his flight, he gained the
river, and, plunging in, was no more seen.
"Well, I'm glad that poor fellow got off," exclaimed Denis, who had been
watching him anxiously. "I hope he'll make his escape; for he must be
very brave, or he would not have turned round and fought his enemies in
the way he did. It is dreadful to see what is going on below us."
The battle-field had now become a scene of indiscriminate slaughter.
Here and there a few groups could be discerned standing amidst their
fallen comrades, supporting one of their chiefs, and hurling back the
assegais aimed at them, which they had caught on their shields, and
which had fallen at their sides; but the numbers in these groups were
rapidly diminishing: first one man fell, then another, then another,
until several were seen to fall together, and at last their enemies,
rushing on with triumphant shrieks, and hurling their assegais, brought
the remainder to the ground, finishing those who had fallen with
repeated thrusts of their sharp weapons. At length but one group
remained in the midst of the corpse-strewn field. They gazed fiercely
round them, well knowing that ere long they must be like those lying
dead at their feet. Still they fought on, keeping their assailants at
bay. In their midst was a chief, known by his tall plume and stalwart
figure, a very Ajax in appearance. Cetchwayo, seeing the determined
resistance offered, and that numbers of his men were falling, summoned a
company of his own regiment, and led them on to the attack. The
struggle was fierce, but of short duration. Scarcely a minute elapsed
before he was seen to sweep over the spot, trampling on the bodies of
the slain, into which his followers were 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 time to make our escape from this fearful scene of
slaughter," exclaimed Hendricks. "The savages will be too much engaged
in rejoicing over their victory to think of us, and we are not bound to
remain here longer than we choose."
Their guards, 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 moment was to be lost. Tightening their
saddle-girths, the party mounted. "You go ahead, Denis, and lead, and I
will bring up 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 compelling
us to witness his triumph."
This was said as the party were preparing to mount. They had retained
their arms, and as their horses had moved only at a slow pace, and had
had plenty of time to feed, they were prepared for a long 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,
making a direct course for the spot where the waggon and its guards 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 many hours to come. As much of the ground was
level, they did not spare their steeds until they reached the waggon,
some hours before sundown.
The Hottentot and Kaffir servants welcomed them with every sign of joy.
Not aware of the superiority of Cetchwayo's army over that of his rival,
they had feared that he might have been defeated, and that the pursuing
enemy had attacked them in revenge for their being associated with him.
Hendricks instantly gave 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 move. The ground was fortunately level, so
that good progress was made, and several miles were got over before
sunset.
They camped in a hollow, the ground 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 familiar to the
inhabitants of an old country house in England, than is the roar of the
lion to the ears of the traveller in Africa. Our friends had become so
accustomed to the low mutterings, as well as to the loud roars of the
king of beasts, that, provided the sounds came from a distance, they
scarcely interrupted their slumbers. Occasionally, however, when a
brute more savage and hungry than usual, ventured up to the camp,
evidently on a foraging 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, who were always ready to start on a hunting
expedition, went off in search of game, accompanied by the dogs, who,
although they have not often been mentioned, had always faithfully done
their duty in giving due notice of the approach of strangers or any
animals.
They had not got 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 some distance
farther, when Lionel, looking ahead, exclaimed--
"See, see! the grass is moving; there is some beast within." And
scarcely had he spoken, than out sprang a lion, which, however, instead
of coming towards them, made its way in the direction of the camp.
"It's as well we secured our game, or the brute would have had it,"
observed Denis, as they followed the lion. "I only hope our friends in
camp will be on the look-out, or that brute will be among them and do
some mischief."
As soon as the lion had turned tail, the three dogs set off in pursuit,
Hendricks and his companions following. The lion at first went along
leisurely; but when he heard the barking of the dogs and the shouts of
the hunters, who wanted him to turn so that they might get a shot at
him, he increased his speed.
In a short time Fangs got ahead of the other two dogs, and at length
almost reached the heels of the lion. This showed his courage 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 him. On coming to the antelope in the tree, he
stopped and evinced a strong inclination to try and pull it down. He
saw, however, 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 him
off, while Crawford and Percy seized their guns, ready to fire as soon
as he should come near enough.
Fangs had kept all this time close after the chase, but well knew that
one kick from those powerful hind-paws would send him flying into the
air with a cracked skull.
Still, carried away by the excitement of the chase, he was on the point
of springing forward to throw himself on the lion's quarters, when the
latter became aware of his being so near, and making a bound forward,
stopped, turned, and crouched. Fangs saw his danger, and turned to
flee, barely in time to escape the claws of the lion who sprang after
him. Away Fangs went, however, fleet as the wind, followed by the lion,
with his mane flowing, his ears pricked forward, and his tail erect.
The dog took the direction in which his master was coming; but the lion
apparently did not perceive the hunters until he was within range of
their rifles.
"Now, my lads, show what you can do!" cried Hendricks. "I will reserve
my fire in case you should miss, you couldn't have a finer opportunity.
Denis, do you fire first."
Denis, highly pleased, raised his rifle and fired. His bullet merely
grazed the back of the lion, which at that instant, taking alarm, turned
aside and bounded off up the hill. The dogs made chase after him; but
Hendricks, fearing that they would perhaps encounter the lioness and
come to grief, called them back. Unwillingly they obeyed, and although
even Fangs, the bravest, would not have ventured to encounter the lion
face to face, they were all eager to go in chase of him when turning
tail.
Getting down the antelope, they now returned to camp. As it was very
probable that the lion would come back as soon as darkness set in, an
additional fire was lighted. The horses were secured to the waggon
wheels, and the oxen were brought in and also made fast. The antelope
flesh was cooked, and eaten with good appetites by the travellers.
Scarcely was supper concluded when several roars were heard, some on one
side at a short distance, some on the other, close to the camp.
Directly afterwards the horrid chorus was increased by the howl of
hyenas and the crying of jackals, more numerous than at any previous
occasion during the journey. There was no necessity to order the
Hottentots and Kaffirs to be on the watch; for they all well knew the
risk they ran of an attack from the lions. Even the animals seemed
aware of their danger. The men replied to the roars by shrieks and
cries, every now and then firing off a rifle in the direction from which
the sounds proceeded. Hendricks, however, considering that three of the
party were sufficient to keep watch, ordered the remainder to lie down,
either under or close to the waggon, and thus the first part of the
night passed unpleasantly by.