Panic had seized many of these poor creatures, who, in imagination, already saw themselves impaled upon the cruel spears of Hafela's troops, and indeed in not a few instances believed those who were urging them forward to be the enemy.Women shrieked and wrung their hands, children wailed piteously, oxen lowed, and the infirm and aged vented their grief in groans and cries to Heaven, or their ancient god, for mercy.In truth, so difficult was the task of marshalling this motley array at night, numbering as it did ten or twelve thousand souls, that a full hour went by before the mob even began to move, slowly and uncertainly, towards the place of refuge, whereof the opening was so narrow that but few of them could pass it at a time.
Meanwhile Hafela was developing the attack.Forming his great army into the shape of a wedge he raised his battle-cry and rushed down on the first line of fortifications, which he stormed without difficulty, for they were defended by a few skirmishers only.Next he attacked the second line, and carried it after heavy fighting, then hurled himself upon the weakest point of the main fence of the vast kraal.Here it was that the fray began in earnest, for here Nodwengo was waiting for him.Thrice the thousands rolled on in the face of a storm of spears, and thrice they fell back from the wide fence of thorns and the wall of stone behind it.By now the battle had raged for about an hour and a half, and it was reported to the king that the first of the women and children had passed the archway into the valley, and that nearly all of them were clear of the eastern gate of the town.
"Then it is time that we follow them," said the king, "for if we wait here until the warriors of Hafela are among us, our retreat will become a rout and soon there will be none left to follow.Let one company," and he named it, "hold the fence for a while to give us time to withdraw, taking the wounded with us.""We hear you, king," said one of that company, "but our captain is killed.""Who among you will take over the command of these men and hold the breach?" asked Nodwengo of the group of officers about him.
"I, King," answered old Hokosa, lifting his spear, "for I care not whether I live or die.""Go to, boaster!" cried another."Who among us cares whether he lives or dies when the king commands?""That we shall know to-morrow," said Hokosa quietly, and the soldiers laughed at the retort.
"So be it," said the king, and while silently and swiftly he led off the regiments, keeping in the shadow of the huts, Hokosa and his hundred men posted themselves behind the weakened fence and wall.Now, for the fourth time the attacking regiment came forward grimly, on this occasion led by the prince himself.As they drew near, Hokosa leapt upon the wall, and standing there in the bright moonlight where all could see him, he called to them to halt.Instinctively they obeyed him.
"Is it Hafela whom I see yonder?" he asked.
"Ah! it is I," answered the prince."What would you with me, wizard and traitor?""This only, Hafela: I would ask you what you seek here?""That which you promised me, Hokosa, the crown of my father and certain other things.""Then get you back, Hafela, for you shall never win them..Have Iprophesied falsely to you at any time? Not so--neither do I prophesy falsely now.Get you back whence you came, and your wolves with you, else shall you bide here for ever.""Do you dare to call down evil on me, Wizard?" shouted the prince furiously."Your wife is mine, and now I take your life also," and with all his strength he hurled at him the great spear he held.
It hissed past Hokosa's head, touching his ear, but he never flinched from the steel.
