The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-09-19


have been made of iron, or perhaps it
was the strength of her will that sup
ported her.
At any rate, she reached the foot OF
the peak second, poor Gobo, who was
an excellent hand at running away,
being first.
Presently I came painting up, and
glanced at the ascent
Before us vas a wall of rock about
one hundred and fifty feet in height,
upon which the strata were so laid
as to form series of projections suf-
fciently resembling step. to make the
ascent, comparatively speaking, easy,
except at one spot. where it was neces-
sary to climb over a projecting angle
of cliff and bear a little to the left.
1t was not a really difficult place,
but what made it awkward was that
Immediately beneath this projection
was a deep fssure or donga, on the
brink of which we now stood, origin
ally dug out, no doubt. by the rush OF
water from the peak and cliff.
This gulf beneath would at the crit
ical point be trying to the nerves OF
weak-headed climber, and so it
proved in the result.
After the projecting angle was
passed the remainder of the ascent was
very simple.
At the summit. however, the brow
of the cliff hung over. and was pierced
by single narrow path cut through
it by water in such fashion that q
single bowlder rolled into it at the top
would make the cliff quite impossible
to people without ropes.
Wambe's soldiers were at this mo-
ment about thousand yards from US,
50 it was evident that We had no time
to lose
at once ordered the men to COM
mence the ascent, the girl Maiwa, who
was familiar with the pass going first
to show them the way.
Accordingly they began to mount
with alacrity. pushing and lifting their
loads in front of them.
When the first Of them, led by Mai
wa, reached the projecting angle, they
put down their loads upon 4 ledge OF
rock and clambered over.
Once up, by going on their stomachs
on bowlder. they could reach the
loads which were held up to them by
the men beneath, and in this way
drag them up over the awkward place,
whence they were easily carried to the
top.
But all of this took time, and mean
while the soldiers were coming up fast,
screaming and brandishing their big
spears.
They were now withing about four
hundred yards, and several loads, to-
gether with all the tusks, had yet to be
got over the rock.
1 was still standing at the bottom of
the cliff, shouting out directions to the
men above, but it occurred to me that
it would soon be time to move.
Before doing so, however, I thought
that it might be we'll to try and pro-
duce a moral effect upon the advancing
enemy.
In my hand I held Winchester re-
peating carbine, but the distance was
too great for me to use it with effect,
so I turned to Gobo, who was shiver-
ing with terror at my side, and handed
him the carbine, took from him my
express.
The enemy was now about three hun
dred and fifty yards away. and the
express was only sighted to three hun
dred.
Still I knew that it could be trusted
for the extra fifty yards.
Running in front Of Wambe's SOL
diers were two men-captains, I sup
pose-one of them very tall.
put up the 3OO-yard flap, and sitting
down with my back against the rock,
1 drew long breath to steady myself,
and covered the tall man, giving him
full sight.
Feeling that I was on him. pulled,
and before the sound of the striking
bullet could reach my ears saw the
man throw up his arms and pitch
forward on to his head.
His companion stopped dead, giving
me a fair chance.
I rapidly covered him and fired the
| left barrel.
He turned around once and then sank
down in a heap.
This caused the enemy to hesitate.
| They had never seen men killed at
such distance before, and thought
that there was something uncanny
about the performance.
Taking advantage of the lull, I gave
the express back to Gobo. and Singing
the Winchester repeater over my back,
| began to climb the cliff.
When we reached the projecting an
gle all the loads were over. but the
tusks still had 10 be passed up, and
this, owing to their weight and the
smoothnesS of their surface, was &
very difficult task.
Of course l ought to have abandoned
the tusks. Often and often have
since reproached myself for not do.
ing so.
Indeed, l think that my obstinacy
about them was downright sinful, but
l always was obstinate about things,
and I could not bear the idea Of leaving
those splendid tusks which had cost
me so much pains and danger to come
by. Well, it nearly cost me my life
also, and did cost poor Gobo his, as
will shortly be seen, 10 say nothing OF
the loss inflicted by my rifle on the enc
nv. When l reached the projection