They are magic coats through which no spear can pass, and those who wear them are well-nigh safe in the battle.

The king is well pleased or much afraid, or he would not have sent these garments of steel.

Clothe yourselves in them to-night, my lords." The remainder of that day we spent quietly, resting and talking over the situation, which was sufficiently exciting.

At last the sun went down, the thousand watch fires glowed out, and through the darkness we heard the tramp of many feet and the clashing of hundreds of spears, as the regiments passed to their appointed places to be ready for the great dance.

Then the full moon shone out in splendour, and as we stood watching her rays, Infadoos arrived, clad in his war dress, and accompanied by a guard of twenty men to escort us to the dance.