The Halakazi also saw and heard, and strove to gather themselves
together to meet the rush. In front of Umslopogaas was their chief, a
tall man hedged about with assegais. Straight at the shield-hedge
drove Umslopogaas, and a score of spears were lifted to greet him, a
score of shields heaved into the air--this was a fence that none might
pass alive. Yet would the Slaughterer pass it--not alone! See! he
steadies his pace, he gathers himself together, and now he leaps! High
into the air he leaps; his feet knock the heads of the warriors and
rattle against the crowns of their shields. They smite upwards with
the spear, but he has swept over them like a swooping bird. He has
cleared them--he has lit--and now the shield-hedge guards two chiefs.
But not for long. Ou! Groan-Maker is aloft, he falls--and neither
shield nor axe may stay his stroke, both are cleft through, and the
Halakazi lack a leader.
The shield-ring wheels in upon itself. Fools! Galazi is upon you! What
was that? Look, now! see how many bones are left unbroken in him whom
the Watcher falls on full! What!--another down! Close up, shield-men--
close up! Ai! are you fled?
Ah! the wave has fallen on the beach. Listen to its roaring--listen to
the roaring of the shields! Stand, you men of the Halakazi--stand!
Surely they are but a few.
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