Now foes were
all around, leaping up at the Slaughterer as rushing water leaps to
hide a rock--everywhere shone spears, thrusting at him from this side
and from that. Those in front and to the side Groan-Maker served to
stay, but one wounded Umslopogaas in the neck, and another was lifted
to pierce his back when the strength of its holder was bowed to the
dust--to the dust, to become of the dust.
For now the Wolf was through the hole also, and the Watcher grew very
busy; he was so busy that soon the back of the Slaughterer had nothing
to fear--yet those had much to fear who stood behind his back. The
pair fought bravely, making a great slaughter, and presently, one by
one, plumed heads of the People of the Axe showed through the burrow
and strong arms mingled in the fray. Swiftly they came, leaping into
battle as otters leap to the water--now there were ten of them, now
there were twenty--and now the Halakazi broke and fled, since they did
not bargain for this. Then the rest of the Men of the Axe came through
in peace, and the evening grew towards the dark before all had passed
the hole.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE FINDING OF NADA
Umslopogaas marshalled his companies.
"There is little light left," he said, "but it must serve us to start
these conies from their burrows. Come, my brother Galazi, you know
where the conies hide, take my place and lead us.
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