"The Zulus are moving. They are marching this way. I can see them
clashing their shields and shaking their assegais over their heads, with
their chiefs leading them. I must let Rupert know, that he may hasten
on with the animals. He will understand what is meant if I fire a
musket."
"By all means," said Captain Broderick. "Fire a second if they do not
attend to the first signal."
Percy fired as he proposed.
Directly afterwards Rupert and Vermack were seen, accompanied by two of
the herdsmen, who were flourishing their whips and leaping from side to
side to urge on the still lagging animals. It seemed doubtful whether
they or the Zulus would first reach the farm. There could be no doubt
that as soon as they were seen, the latter would hasten on and attempt
to cut them off. Their friends earnestly hoped that rather than run the
risk of this, they would leave the cattle to their fate, and would make
their way into the fort.
Percy again fired, and pointed in the direction the Zulus were coming,
trusting that he might be seen. The men in the meantime were standing
at the drawbridge ready to admit the cattle, and then to raise it.
Presently Matyana and a shepherd, with a flock of sheep, appeared. It
seemed scarcely possible that they, at all events, would escape being
cut off. Though sheep, under ordinary circumstances, walk slowly, they
do occasionally put their best feet foremost. Should they get in, a
great advantage would be gained, for the Zulus would naturally suppose
that the whole of the cattle and sheep belonging to the farm had been
driven inside, and would not go in search of the remainder.
More than once Rupert looked towards the advancing Zulus, as if to
calculate the distance; still he was evidently unwilling to abandon his
charge, and exerted all his skill to drive them on. Suddenly the
animals seemed to be seized with a desire to rush forward. Whether or
not they observed the Zulus, it is difficult to say, but kicking up
their heels, and whisking their tails, they made towards the drawbridge,
and came rushing in pell-mell, the sheep at the same time following
their example, when they, with their drivers, panting from their
exertions, were safe inside before the Zulus had got within rifle shot
of the fort.
"Well done, Rupert! well done, Vermack! you succeeded admirably,"
shouted the captain.
The drawbridge was hauled up, the door closed, and the cattle being
driven into the kraal, which was pretty well crowded by this time,
Rupert and Vermack, with the other men, were enabled to assist in the
defence.
The judgment exhibited by Captain Broderick in his selection of the spot
for his farm buildings was now more than ever evident. One side was
protected by the river, and the other by inaccessible rocks. It could
only be assailed either in front or the right side, where it was
enfiladed by a projecting tower.
The Zulus had had no experience in attacking forts, and it was very
evident that they looked upon the stockaded farm as they would upon one
of their own kraals. They might have seen the cattle driven in, but
they considered, as they were sure to capture the place, that it would
be an advantage to have them all together, caught as it were in one net.
As Captain Broderick looked through his telescope, he could observe
their countenances, and it struck him they looked very much astonished
at seeing the drawbridge hoisted up.
The front ranks halted just beyond musket range, to allow the others to
come up, and then giving vent to the most terrific shrieks and yells,
they rushed forward to the attack.