Then, possessed by a
rather undefined nervousness, at which the others were inclined to
laugh, I caused the Zulus to arm and generally make a few arrangements
to meet any unforeseen crisis. This done I sat down to reflect what
would be the best course to take if we should happen to be attacked by
a large force in that straggling native town, of which I had often
studied all the strategic possibilities. When I had come to my own
conclusion I asked Hans and Mavovo what they thought, and found that
they agreed with me that the only defensible place was outside the
town where the road to the south gate ran down to a rocky wooded ridge
with somewhat steep flanks. It may be remembered that it was by this
road and over this ridge that Brother John had appeared on his white
ox when we were about to be shot to death with arrows at the posts in
the market-place.
Whilst we were still talking two of the Mazitu captains appeared,
running hard and dragging between them a wounded herdsman, who had
evidently been hit in the arm by a bullet.
Pages:
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555