The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-03

| gigantic Zulu, screaming his warcry
| sprang against the barricade, and with a
| tremendous bound alighted en- the top
! His great black, muscular form was foi
| an instant silhoC tied against the sky. He
/ raised his spear and was about TO iumI
| into the midst of the defenders.
| Railton saw him and OWNED his purpose
| and as the warrior leaned inward for III,
| spring he thrust at him with his bayonet
| leaping upward as he did so, the better e
| drive home his thrust.
| The Zulu fell back with wild cry. In
| stantly another was in the place where ht
| had been standing. Him also the Assist
| ant CommiSsary-who was no soldier
| hurled back, then shouting that he could
work better higher up he climbed to the
| top of the barricade and piled his weapon
| fiercely, using the steel only, for the press
| ing need Of action gave no chance of fir
| ing then.
shower of bullets and assegais went
| over and about the figure on the grain
| bags and II toppled over and rolled at the
| soldiers feet.
"Riddled like a sieve-must be" ex-
! claimed Howard with a groan of regret
Should he, il | weren't so little, and my
clothes didn't bag" said Railton. cheer
fully, as he sat up. then rose 10 his feet
daZed."
Howard. convinced of his error. and de-
lighted TO find that he was In the wrong
was blaZ g away with his revolver Rail
ton through whose plenteous clothing
lhree bullets had passed. took his place be-
hind some biscuit boxes. and aiming as
well as he could In the thickening smoke.
paid his tribute to the uproar
An assault like that, needing such vast
energy for its delivery, could not be main
tanned Tor long. and the defence found that
the bullets and assegais were thinning.
ana that the Zulus were Withdrawing.
/ Nhen the thick, choking slowly rising
smoke mad broken enough for them to see
through. they saw that the ZuIus were
hGrrying away to the foot of the hills.
dragging and carrying their wounded with
mem. ire dead they had left as they had
ialIen. ana II was seen that they almost
formed another barricale outside the first
They'll swoop down again" said How
ard, warningly; they're only drawing off
for little while. They did so al the other
Yes; theyl face the music again. said
Barran
Then we shall have to make EN- dance
an even livelier tune" added the Assistant
Commissary.
You're a fraud" observed the senior
Subaltefn, with fierce admiration. You've
| deceived us all along. Who taught you TO
/ hght In this way?"
instinct replied Railton. Besides.
this?'
Nothing more was said Time was too
precious for talk. and so every officer and
man set TO work to strengthen the defence
anu get more ammunition in readiness for
the renewal of the attack. The lull was
welcome. too, because 1t gave a chance for
,he removal 10 the buildings of men who
had been shot down or stabbed, and to
dfag from near the barricade the bodies of
some OF the soldiers who would fight no
Again the black tide rolled from the hills
and spread over the plain. and once more
the Zuius and the Englshmen were strug-
ging fnriously. Night was falling, but the
Iuius had no thought of letting darkness
stop the conflict
Keep 1t upr' cried Barran, encourage
ing " 1t can't be long before the Gen
eral comes Keep the ammunition going.