[Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link bookNada the Lily CHAPTER XXVII 15/16
"I have no better soldiers in my impis, and yet my eyes behold these for the first time," and again he frowned. Now suddenly Umslopogaas lifted his axe and started forward at full speed, and after him thundered the companies.
On they rushed, and their plumes lay back upon the wind, till it seemed as though they must stamp us flat.
But when he was within ten paces of the king Umslopogaas lifted Groan-Maker again, and Galazi held the Watcher on high, and every man halted where he was, while once more the dust flew up in clouds.
They halted in long, unbroken lines, with outstretched shields and heads held low; no man's head rose more than the length of a dance kerrie from the earth.
So they stood one minute, then, for the third time, Umslopogaas lifted Groan-Maker, and in an instant every man straightened himself, each shield was tossed on high, and from every throat was roared the royal salute, "Bayete!" "A pretty sight forsooth," quoth Dingaan; "but these soldiers are too well drilled who have never done me service nor the Black One who was before me, and this Slaughterer is too good a captain, I say.
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