Presently they were at the respective ends of the line, and simultaneously held up their spears.

As they did so, with an awful roar of "Bulala Amaboona"-- "Slay the Boers," the entire line, numbering nearly a thousand men, bounded forward like a buck startled from its form, and rushed down upon the little laager.

It was a splendid sight to see them, their assegais glittering in the sunlight as they rose and fell above their black shields, their war-plumes bending back upon the wind, and their fierce faces set intently on the foe, while the solid earth shook beneath the thunder of their rushing feet.

I thought of my poor friends the Dutchmen, and trembled.

What chance had they against so many?
Now the Zulus, running in the shape of a bow so as to wrap the laager round on three sides, were within seventy yards, and now from every waggon broke tongues of fire.