Now the foe draws on, they have travelled round about by the ford, for they dared not face the torrent, and they cried to me that they are sworn to slay us or be slain, as Dingaan, the king, commanded.

So the fighting will be of the best, if, indeed, they do not run before the fangs of the Grey People.
Now, Chief, speak your word that I may obey it." Thus Galazi spoke in the circle of the wolves, while Umslopogaas leaned upon his Axe Groan-Maker, and listened to him, ay, and wept as he listened, for after the Lily and me, Mopo, he loved Galazi most dearly of all who lived.

Then he answered:-- "Were it not for one in the cave above, who is helpless and tender, I would swear to you, Wolf, that if you fall, on your carcase I will die; and I do swear that, should you fall, while I live Groan-Maker shall be busy from year to year till every man of yonder impi is as you are.
Perchance I did ill, Galazi, when first I hearkened to the words of Zinita and suffered women to come between us.

May we one day find a land where there are no women, and war only, for in that land we shall grow great.

But now, at the least, we will make a good end to this fellowship, and the Grey People shall fight their fill, and the old Witch who sits aloft waiting for the world to die shall smile to see that fight, if she never smiled before.