Though they were so few, at first their terrible rush drove back the Amakoba.

Then, as these recovered from their surprise, the weight of numbers began to tell, for they, too, were brave men who did not give way to panic.

Scores of them went down at once, but the remainder pushed the Amangwane before them up the hill.

I took little share in the fight, but was thrust backward with the others, only firing when I was obliged to save my own life.

Foot by foot we were pushed back till at length we drew near to the crest of the pass.
Then, while the issue hung in the balance, there was another shout of "Saduko!" and that chief himself, followed by his thirty, rushed upon the Amakoba.
This charge decided the battle, for not knowing how many more were coming, those who were left of the Amakoba turned and fled, nor did we pursue them far.
We mustered on the hill-top, not more than two hundred of us now, the rest were fallen or desperately wounded, my poor hunter, whom I had lent to Saduko, being among the dead.