Then, as it was these whom he was chiefly charged to kill, the captain called off the impi from watching for the dwellers in the town, and started in pursuit of Umslopogaas.

Now, at this time nearly a hundred men of the People of the Axe had been killed and of the Slayers some fifty men, for, having been awakened by the crying of Galazi, the soldiers of the axe fought bravely, though none saw where his brother stood, and none knew whither their chief had fled except those ten who went with the brethren.
Meanwhile, the Wolf-Brethren and those with them were well away, and it had been easy for them to escape, who were the swiftest-footed of any in the land.

But the pace of a regiment is the pace of its slowest-footed soldier, and Nada could not run with the Wolf-Brethren.

Yet they made good speed, and were halfway down the gorge that led to the river before the companies of Dingaan poured into it.

Now they came to the end of it, and the foe was near--this end of the gorge is narrow, my father, like the neck of a gourd--then Galazi stopped and spoke:-- "Halt! ye People of the Axe," he said, "and let us talk awhile with these who follow till we get our breath again.