On the farther side of the slope they halted and sent a herald forward to demand what the People of the Axe would have from them.

The Slaughterer answered that they would have three things: First, the head of their chief, whose place Galazi should fill henceforth; secondly, that fair maid whom men named the Lily; thirdly, a thousand head of cattle.

If these demands were granted, then he would spare them, the Halakazi; if not, he would stamp them out and take all.
So the herald returned, and when he reached the ranks of the Halakazi he called aloud his answer.

Then a great roar of laughter went up from the Halakazi regiments, a roar that shook the earth.

The brow of Umslopogaas the Slaughterer burned red beneath the black when he heard it, and he shook Groan-Maker towards their host.
"Ye shall sing another song before this sun is set," he cried, and strode along the ranks speaking to this man and that by name, and lifting up their hearts with great words.
Now the Halakazi raised a shout, and charged to come at the young men led by Galazi the Wolf; but beyond the foot of the slope was peaty ground, and they came through it heavily, and as they came Galazi and the young men fell upon them and slew them; still, they could not hold them back for long, because of their great numbers, and presently the battle ranged all along the slope.