The mist was still too thick to enable
us to see anything at first. But shortly after the commencement of the
firing a strong, hot wind, which always followed these mists, got up
and gradually gathered to a gale, blowing away the vapours. Then from
the top of the crest, Hans, who had climbed a tree there, reported
that the Arabs were advancing on the north gate, firing as they came,
and that the Mazitu were replying with their bows and arrows from
behind the palisade that surrounded the town. This palisade, I should
state, consisted of an earthen bank on the top of which tree trunks
were set close together. Many of these had struck in that fertile
soil, so that in general appearance this protective work resembled a
huge live fence, on the outer and inner side of which grew great
masses of prickly pear and tall, finger-like cacti. A while afterwards
Hans reported that the Mazitu were retreating and a few minutes later
they began to arrive through the south gate, bringing several wounded
with them. Their captain said that they could not stand against the
fire of the guns and had determined to abandon the town and make the
best fight they could upon the ridge.
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