Not one man of that company lived, my father; they fell down like moths which flutter through a candle, and where they fell they perished.

But after them came other companies, and it was well for those in this fight who were last to grapple with the foe.

Now a great smoke was mixed with the flame, now the flame grew less and less, and the smoke more and more; and now blackened men, hairless, naked, and blistered, white with the scorching of the fire, staggered out on the farther side of the flames, falling to earth here and there.

After them came others; now there was no flame, only a great smoke in which men moved dimly; and presently, my father, it was done: they had conquered the fire, and that with but very little hurt to the last seven companies, though every man had trodden it.

How many perished ?--nay, I know not, they were never counted; but what between the dead and the injured that regiment was at half strength till the king drafted more men into it.
"See, Doctor of Prayers," said Dingaan, with a laugh, "thus shall I escape the fires of that land of which thou tellest, if such there be indeed: I will bid my impis stamp them out." Then the praying man went from the kraal saying that he would teach no more among the Zulus, and afterwards he left the land.