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and set the example by loosing both barrels of an elephant gun at the
thickest of the mob。 At that distance even the most inexperienced
shots could not miss such a mark； especially as those bullets that
went high struck among the oncoming troops behind； or caught the
horsemen lifted above their fellows。 Indeed； of the first few rounds I
do not think that one was wasted； while often single balls killed or
injured several men。
The result was instantaneous。 The Black Kendah who； be it remembered；
were totally unaccustomed to the effects of rifle fire and imagined
that we only possessed two or three guns in all； stopped their advance
as though paralyzed。 For a few seconds there was silence； except for
the intermittent crackle of the rifles as my men loaded and fired。
Next came the cries of the smitten men and horses that were falling
everywhere； and thenthe unmistakable sound of a stampede。
〃They have gone。 That was too warm for them； Baas；〃 chuckled Hans
exultingly。
〃Yes；〃 I answered； when I had at length succeeded in stopping the
firing； 〃but I expect they will come back with the light。 Still； that
trick of yours has cost them dear； Hans。〃
By degrees the dawn began to break。 It was； I remember； a particularly
beautiful dawn； resembling a gigantic and vivid rose opening in the
east； or a cup of brightness from which many coloured wines were
poured all athwart the firmament。 Very peaceful also； for not a breath
of wind was stirring。 But what a scene the first rays of the sun
revealed upon that narrow stretch of pass in front of us。 Everywhere
the pitfalls and trenches were filled with still surging heaps of men
and horses； while all about lay dead and wounded men； the red harvest
of our rifle fire。 It was dreadful to contrast the heavenly peace
above and the hellish horror beneath。
We took count and found that up to this moment we had not lost a
single man； one only having been slightly wounded by a thrown spear。
As is common among semi…savages； this fact filled the White Kendah
with an undue exultation。 Thinking that as the beginning was so the
end must be； they cheered and shouted； shaking each other's hands；
then fell to eating the food which the women brought them with
appetite； chattering incessantly； although as a general rule they were
a very silent people。 Even the grave Har？t； who arrived full of
congratulations； seemed as high…spirited as a boy； till I reminded him
that the real battle had not yet commenced。
The Black Kendah had fallen into a trap and lost some of their number；
that was all； which was fortunate for us but could scarcely affect the
issue of the struggle； since they had many thousands left。 Ragnall；
who had come up from his lines； agreed with me。 As he said； these
people were fighting for life as well as honour； seeing that most of
the corn which they needed for their sustenance was stored in great
heaps either in or to the rear of the temple behind us。 Therefore they
must come on until they won or were destroyed。 How with our small
force could we hope to destroy this multitude？ That was the problem
which weighed upon our hearts。
About a quarter of an hour later two spies that we had set upon the
top of the precipitous cliffs； whence they had a good view of the pass
beyond the bend； came scrambling down the rocks like monkeys by a
route that was known to them。 These boys； for they were no more；
reported that the Black Kendah were reforming their army beyond the
bend of the pass； and that the cavalry were dismounting and sending
their horses to the rear； evidently because they found them useless in
such a place。 A little later solitary men appeared from behind the
bend； carrying bundles of long sticks to each of which was attached a
piece of white cloth； a proceeding that excited my curiosity。
Soon its object became apparent。 Swiftly these men； of whom in the end
there may have been thirty or forty； ran to and fro； testing the
ground with spears in search for pitfalls。 I think they only found a
very few that had not been broken into； but in front of these and also
of those that were already full of men and horses they set up the
flags as a warning that they should be avoided in the advance。 Also
they removed a number of their wounded。
We had great difficulty in restraining the White Kendah from rushing
out to attack them； which of course would only have led us into a trap
in our turn； since they would have fled and conducted their pursuers
into the arms of the enemy。 Nor would I allow my riflemen to fire； as
the result must have been many misses and a great waste of ammunition
which ere long would be badly wanted。 I； however； did shoot two or
three； then gave it up as the remainder took no notice whatever。
When they had thoroughly explored the ground they retired until； a
little later； the Black Kendah army began to appear； marching in
serried regiments and excellent order round the bend； till perhaps
eight or ten thousand of them were visible； a very fierce and awe…
inspiring /impi/。 Their front ranks halted between three and four
hundred yards away； which I thought farther off than it was advisable
to open fire on them with Snider rifles held by unskilled troops。 Then
came a pause； which at length was broken by the blowing of horns and a
sound of exultant shouting beyond the turn of the pass。
Now from round this turn appeared the strangest sight that I think my
eyes had ever seen。 Yes； there came the huge elephant； Jana； at a
slow； shambling trot。 On his back and head were two men in whom； with
my glasses； I recognized the lame priest whom I already knew too well
and Simba； the king of the Black Kendah； himself； gorgeously
apparelled and waving a long spear； seated in a kind of wooden chair。
Round the brute's neck were a number of bright metal chains； twelve in
all； and each of these chains was held by a spearman who ran
alongside； six on one side and six on the other。 Lastly； ingeniously
fastened to the end of his trunk were three other chains to which were
attached spiked knobs of metal。
On he came as docilely as any Indian elephant used for carrying teak
logs； passing through the centre of the host up a wide lane which had
been left； I suppose for his convenience； and intelligently avoiding
the pitfalls filled with dead。 I thought that he would stop among the
first ranks。 But not so。 Slackening his pace to a walk he marched
forwards towards our fortifications。 Now； of course； I saw my chance
and made sure that my double…barrelled elephant rifle was ready and
that Hans held a second rifle； also double…barrelled and of similar
calibre； full…cocked in such a position that I could snatch it from
him in a moment。
〃I am going to kill that elephant；〃 I said。 〃Let no one else fire。
Stand still and you shall see the god Jana die。〃
Still the enormous beast floundered forward； up to that moment I had
never realized how truly huge it was； not even w