The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-03-26

Zulu King Dingaan, II consisted OF some
nine thousand men. Now 1t numbered
about three, all the rest were dead.
They, too, would probably soon be dead.
What did 1t matter? They lived bywhi
to die In blood. 1t was their natural
end. "Kill till you are killed" That
Is the mott OF the Zulu soldier. 1t has
the merit Of simplicity.
Meanwhile the warriors were looting
the wagons, including my own, having
first thrown all the dead Beers into q
heap. / looked at the heap; all OF them
were there, including the two stout
fraus, poor things. But missed one
body, that OF Hans Botha's daugh-
ter, little Tota. A wild hope came into
my heart that she might have escaped,
but no, 1t was not possible. l could only
pray thatshe was already at rest.
Just then the great Zulu, Bombyane,
who had left my side to indulge in the
congenial occupation Of looting, came
out OF wagon crying that he had got
the little white one." looked. He
was carrying the child Tota, gripping
her frock in one Of his huge black hands.
He stalked up to where we were and
held the child before the chief. SIS 1t
dead, father2" he said.
Now, as could we'll see, the child was
not dead, but had been hidden away,
and tainted with fear.
The chief glanced at 1t carelessly and
said:
Find out with your kerrie."
Acting on this hint the black devil
held up the child and was about to kill
1t with his knob-stick. This was more
than could bear. / sprang at him and
struck him with all my force in the face.
little caring II / Sas speared or not He
dropped Tota on the ground.
"oh~ he said, putting his hand TO his
nose, "the white spirit has hard nst.
Come, spirit, 1 will fight you for the
child"
The soldiers cheered and laughed.
"Yesl yes!" they said; '1et Bombyane
fight the white spirit for the child. Let
them fight with assegais."
For q moment l hesitated. What
chance had against the black giantp
But had promised poor Hans to save
the child II could; and what did It
matter? AS well die now as later. How
ever, had wit enough left to make q
favor Of 1t, and intimated to the chief
through Indaba-zimbi that I was quite
willing TO condescend to kill Bombyane
on condition that IL / did 80 the child's
life should be given to me. Indaba-
zimbi interpreted my words, but no
ticed that he would not look on me as he
spoke, but covered his face with his
hands and spoke OF me as "the ghost,p
or the "son of the spirit" For some
reason that l have never quite under
stood the chief consented TO the duel.
fancy 1t was because he believed me TO
be more than mortal and was anxious 10
SEQ the last Of Bombyane.
"Let them fight" he said. "Give
them assegais and no shields; the child
shall be TO him who conquers."
"Yes! yes!" cried the soldiers. "Let
them fight. Don't be afraid, Bombyane;
II he Is spirit he's very small one."
81 never was frightened Of man or
beast, and ! am not going TO run away
from white ghost" answered the re-
doubtable Bombyane, as he examined
the blade OF his great bangwanar stab
bing sssegai.
Then they made ring round US, gave
me q similar assegai and set us some
ten PAGES apart. kept my face as calm
as could and tried to show no signs OF /
fear, though In my heart was terribly
afraid. Humanity speaking, my doom
was on me. The giant warrior before
me had used the assegai from child-I
had no experience Of the weapon. More
over, though ! was quick and active, he
must have been at least twice as strong
as l was. However, there was no help
for 1t, so, setting my teeth, l grasped
the great spear, breathed a prayer and
waited.
The giant stood awhile looking at me,
and, as he stood, Indaba-zimbi walked
across the ring behind me, muttering as
he passed; keep cool, Macumazahn,
and wait for him"
As / had not the slightest intention Of
commencing the fray, thought this
good advice.
Heavensl how long that half-minute
seemed. II happened many years ago,
but the whole scene rises up before my
eyes as l write. There behind US was
the blood-stained laager and near II Law
the piles OF dead; round us was rank
upon rank Of plumed savages, standing
In silence TO wait the issue OF the duel,
and In the center stood the gray-haired
chief and general, Sususa, in all his
war hnery, cloak Of leopard skin upon
his shoulders. At his feet lay tho sense
less form OF little Tota, TO my left
'quatted Indaba-zimbi; nodding his
white lock and muttering something
probably spells; while in front was my
giant antagonist, his spear aloft and his
'lumes bending in the gentle breeze.
Then over all, over grassy slope, river
md koppie, over the wagons OF the
aager, the piles OF dead, the dense
ankS OF the living, the swooning child,
'ver all shone the bright, impartial sun,
ooking down like the great Indifferent (
'ye OF heaven upon the loveliness OF ,
lature and the cruelty OF man. Down I
y the river grew thorn-trees, and from
hem foated the sweet scent Of the I
nimosa flower, and came the sound of
ooing turtle doves. never smell the
ne or hear the other without the scene ,
ashing into my mind again, complete |
a Its every detail. II
Suddenly, without sound, Bombyane .
hook his assegai and rushed straight
: me. / saw his hugo form come. Like ,
man In dream, I saw the broad spear ]