"What were the words that the Messenger spoke to us before he died?
Did he not say: 'Even now the heathen is at your gates, and many of you shall perish on his spears; but I tell you that he shall not conquer'?
Did he not say: 'Be faithful, cling to the Cross, and do not dare to doubt your Lord, for He will protect you, and your children after you, and He will be your Captain and you shall be His people'?
Did he not bid you also to listen to my counsel?
Then listen to it, for it is his: Your case seems desperate, but have no fear, and take no thought for the morrow, for all shall yet be well.

Let us now pray to Him that the Messenger has revealed to us, and Whom now he implores on our behalf in that place where he is to guide us and to save us, for then surely He will hearken to our prayer." "So be it," said Nodwengo, and going out he stood upon a pillar of stone in the moonlight and offered up his supplication in the hearing of the multitude.
Meanwhile, those of the camp of Hafela were also taking counsel.

They had fought bravely indeed, and carried the schanses; but at great cost, since for every man that Nodwengo had lost, three of theirs had fallen.
Moreover, they were in evil case with weariness and the want of water, as each drop they drank must be carried to them from the Great Place in bags made of raw hide, which caused it to stink, for they had but few gourds with them.
"Now it is strange," said Hafela, "that these men should fight so bravely, seeing that they are but a handful.

There can be scarce three thousand of them left, and yet I doubt not that before we carry those last walls of theirs as many of us or more will be done.

Ay! and after they are done with, we must meet their great _impi_ when it returns, and of what will befall us then I scarcely like to think." "Ill-fortune will befall you while Hokosa lives," broke in Noma.