Or perhaps they were waiting to see better where to deliver their onset.

These were the ideas that occurred to me, but both were wrong.
They were staying their hands until the mist lifted a little from the hollow below the stead where the cattle kraals were situated, for while the fog remained they could not see to get the beasts out.

These they wished to make sure of and drive away before the fight began, lest during its progress something should happen to rob them of their booty.
Presently, from these kraals, where the Heer Marais's horned beasts and sheep were penned at night, about one hundred and fifty of the former and some two thousand of the latter, to say nothing of the horses, for he was a large and prosperous farmer, there arose a sound of bellowing, neighing, and baaing, and with it that of the shouting of men.
"They are driving off the stock," said Marie.

"Oh! my poor father, he is ruined; it will break his heart." "Bad enough," I answered, "but there are things that might be worse.
Hark!" As I spoke there came a sound of stamping feet and of a wild war chant.
Then in the edge of the mist that hung above the hollow where the cattle kraals were, figures appeared, moving swiftly to and fro, looking ghostly and unreal.

The Kaffirs were marshalling their men for the attack.