Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-07-16


and asked Umcobela what the trouble
was and found that runners had just
come in stating that the Sitantas were
coming in large numbers toward tho
village. then hastened to the chief
and told him to avoid conflict if pos
sible; 10 tell the Sitantas we were not
there or anything that would prevent a
battle. He smiled and said, white
Boss afraid Of Sitanta warrior when he
kill mutt amanzir
l told him no, but that I did not
wish to see any Of his subjects killed.
He replied gruiIly, THAT is what war
riors are for, and then left him. re-
solving in my mind to do my share if a
battle must be fought. | secured my
revolveis, and taking a bountiful sup
ply of ammunition bade my servants
do the same, and grasping our rifles we
went to the side of the kraal where the
Sitantas we're expected 1t was not
long until a courier arrived demanding
of us Chief Little Marraba, but the
chief sent back word that 'the white
boss was Great Medicine, or Induna
Mlunga Unkulu,' and would only 60
where he .pleases. If they wanted him
they would have to take him."
Soon their cry of the peacock (the
war cry) could be heard, and the Mar
raba answered back by yelling nanziu
unpi (there comes the army, balega
amusitanta (strike the Sitantas), Civ
vaca makosi gani 1--WE fight for our
chie0 Soon the clash fell, and NUT
tered yells and words could be heard
along the lines, mingled with the clash
ing of assagais, and their dull thud
when striking the skin shields l and
my servants poured in steady fire
that reduced the ranks of the enemy
considerably, The moon rose suddenly
from behind the mountains and dis
closed a weird scene. Naked savages,
crazed with the desire to shed blood,
standing on the forms of friends and
foes, the better to be able to kill the
enemy. With the aid of the moons
rays we could do better execution with
our firearms, and every shot was made
to count. Tlns drew upon us the mis-
siles of the enemy, but we kept up such
hot fire that we soon had them flee
ing from our part of the line amid the
cry of Oul Oul Marraba tyele Hur-
rah hurrahl Marraba strikes well or
true).
Thus the battle ragged, what seemed
to me hours, but finally the Sitantas
wavered and were soon put to flight by
the Marrabas, who followed them sew
eral miles, killing all they could come
up with Mphana was killed in this
fight, and felt as though Jcould never
forgive myself for bringing his death
on him, and did all | could to give him
n good burial and a nice resting place
for his last sleep. Umcobela and my
self escaped with few slight cuts and
knelt in prayer to thank God for our
safe deliverance. Little Marraba of
fered me fine young warrior as a serv-
ant, which | accepted, and after thank
ing him for his protection and Offering
what could in the way of sympathy,
| had my horses made ready and pushed
on at once for Marabastadt, where /
arrived in sad plight three days later.
Fever had followed from the wounds
on me inflaming, and was laid up
here long time. This trip had about
cured me of my curiosity, and, had
listened to reason. would never have
had any further trouble with the Kat
frs, but what man can tell what he
will not do to gratify his curiosityl--
South Africa Cor. Atlanta Constitution.