Indeed, had it not been for the wall which I built that protected us, I am certain that both my bearer and I would have been killed, for afterwards I found it splashed over with lead from bullets which had struck the stones.
Well, thanks to the strength of my rock and to the wall, or as Hans said afterwards, to Zikali's Great Medicine, we escaped unhurt.

The rush went by me; indeed, I killed one sea-cow so close that the powder from the rifle actually burned its hide.

But it did go by, leaving us untouched.
All, however, were not so fortunate, since of the village natives two were trampled to death, while a third had his leg broken.
Also, and this was really amusing--a bewildered bull charging at full speed, crashed into the trunk of Umslopogaas' tree, and as it was not very thick, snapped it in two.

Down came the top in which the dignified chief was ensconced like a bird in a nest, though at that moment there was precious little dignity about him.

However, except for scratches he was not hurt, as the hippopotamus had other business in urgent need of attention and did not stop to settle with him.
"Such are the things which happen to a man who mixes himself up with matters of which he knows nothing," said Umslopogaas sententiously to me afterwards.