We had not long to wait, for presently down
the thing came and over it and the mound of earth and stones we had
built beyond, began to pour a mob of white-robed and turbaned men
whose mixed and tumultuous exit somehow reminded me of the pips and
pulp being squeezed out of a grenadilla fruit.
I gave the word, and we fired into that packed mass with terrible
effect. Really I think that each bullet must have brought down two or
three of them. Then, at a command from Mavovo, the Zulus threw down
their guns and charged with their broad spears. Stephen, who had got
hold of an assegai somehow, went with them, firing a Colt's revolver
as he ran, while at their backs came Bausi and his thirty tall Mazitu.
I will confess at once that I did not join in this terrific onslaught.
I felt that I had not weight enough for a scrimmage of the sort, also
that I should perhaps be better employed using my wits outside and
watching for a chance to be of service, like a half-back in a football
field, than in getting my brains knocked out in a general row.
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