us--calling us to come down. We replied that it was too dark to move, we
should hit our feet against the stones. He insisted upon our descending,
and we flatly refused, saying that if any attempt was made to dislodge
us we would fire. After that, as they had no real intention of attacking
us in the dark, the men withdrew, but we saw from the fires which were
lit around that they were keeping a strict watch upon our position.

"That night was a wearing one, for we never quite knew how the situation
was going to develop. Fortunately we had some cooked food with us, so
we did not starve. It was lucky, however, that we drunk our fill before
coming up, for, as I had anticipated, there was not a drop of water on
the koppie.

"At length the night wore away, and with the first tinge of light I
began to go my rounds, and stumbling along the stony paths, to make
things as ready as I could for the attack, which I felt sure would be
delivered before we were two hours older. The men were cramped and cold,
and consequently low-spirited, but I exhorted them to the best of my
ability, bidding them remember the race from which they sprang, and not
to show the white feather before a crowd of Matuku dogs. At length it
began to grow light, and presently I saw long columns of men advancing
towards the koppie. They halted under cover at a distance of about
a hundred and fifty yards, and just as the dawn broke a herald came
forward and called to us. Our captain stood up upon a rock and answered
him.

"'These are the words of Wambe,' the herald said. 'Come forth from the
koppie, and give over the evil-doers, and go in peace, or stay in the
koppie and be slain.'