The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-26


and every man leaped to his feet by
again. the clear notes of the bugle rang
through the morning air, and. as we
trooped out of the hut, all eyes were
turned in the direction of the advanc-
ing enemy. They had nearly reached
the river bank. and had halted before
taking to the ford. Now for the first
time / could see them plainly, and,
/ confess, / thought had never seen
finer body of men. Tall, powerful
and disciplined, even their more than
half-nude figures and barbaric mp
pointments rather added to the effect.
If they were surprised at our sudden
challenge, they made no sign, but stood
quietly at ease, each warrior with shield
and spears and looking apparently
straight before him.
Men," said the doctor, in low. clear
voice, which somehow rang more dis
tinct and impressive than a Shout, "get
your guns and take your posts. Don't
begin to fire till give the word, and
see you don't waste shot. We've got
10 keep these fellows off for three
hours, at any rate, before we can hope
for relief-well," he added, grimly, ut
should give you an appetite for your
Christmas dinner"
In another five minutes every man
was armed and at the post to which
he had been assigned. The movement
had been as silent as 10 was rapid, and,
as we were on higher ground than the
natives, it was impossible that they
could have seen what went on. We
had taken our places and disposed OF
ourselves and our stock OF ammuni-
ton, and then there was pause. l
had contrived loophole for my rifle,
and had seated myself on mealie bag,
so that my head didn't show above the
fortification. could see between the
bags, and my eyes wandered over tho
silent lines Of the natives on the other
side of the river, and then upward to
the rugged crest of the eastern hills,
now framed in glowing halo of golden
light. Suddenly, as looked, stream
of sunshine burst through hollow
IN the crest of the Kopje and fell with
dazzling brilliancy on the ridge on
which our little fortifcation stood. For
some moments I could see nothing,
and almost before had fully recov-
cred the use Of my eyes, something
sang through the air just over my head
and a sharp report OF rifle followed
the attack had begun.
The first sunshine h0a been the sig.
nal, and those of the warriors who had
guns were already advancing There
might have been two hundred OF them,
and they came on In loose diminishing
order, firing al they advanced. they
crossed the river and spread themselves
SO as gradually to face US on rather
more than three sides. They were
probably no great marksmen, but they
couldn't miss the fortification, and their
bullets sang and whistled overhead,
pattered on the roofs and walls of the
huts. and threw up little jets of dust
as they buried themselves in the dry
ground of the Enclosure. There was
something impressive about their eau
tious deliberation. Not a shot was fired
by us in reply to their fire. but their
movements did not seem to be hurried
on that account. Slowly, deliberately.
grimly, they closed in, the circle OF fire
growing smaller and smaller as they
advanced; still not a shot was fired
in answer--still we lay silently watch
ing and waiting.
The sun had grown hot. Itseemed to
pour down i'm streams OF liquid fire
upon us as we waited, and already
regretted that hadn't provided myself
with q supply of water. was in the
very act of looking round to see wheth-
er IL iitt might not be pessibie to remedy
the omission when / was recalled by q
sudden noise. II was not shout; II
was hardly yell; IL sounded more like
the sullen roar Of the breaking sea on O
distant beach. ] spraDg to my feet In
stinctively. and a single glance was sui
ficient 20 explain-the impi was charg
ing. On thcy came like black cloud
| driven before gale--as dark. as threat.
ening, apparently as irresistible. II
was magnificent sight, and for several
seconds | stood and gnzed. On they
oame-on, on, without q break in the
dark lines, at pace that seemed to in
crease each moment. Down the rivei
bank; across the ford; disappearing FOL
second or two as they plunged. only
10 appear the next. like the crest o.
some huge roller at the bottom of th'
slope crowned by our little fortress
On. on, And now they had swept pas
their own rinemen, and I could fame,
| saw the cleaning eyebals and fash
ing eyes Of the FIRST rank as they dashed
forward with uplifted spears.
"Now. menl" The two words ranf
out. sharp and clear, from the lips o
the doctor. and they were answered th'
next instant by the quick, snarp crucr
OF the magazine rifles, which seemet
10 roll round aud round the inclosur'
with n craclling noise which drowned
for the moment, the sound of tho ad
vance. The gray smoke rose in fleecy
clouds on every side, and each maj
could see nothing except what was di
rectly before htm, and even that oni,
bv Hnatchcs