CHAPTER NINETEEN.
THE ATTACK.
As soon as the Zulus appeared, Percy had insisted on his sistersretiring from the ramparts.
"You have performed your parts, girls, and I cannot allow you to run therisk of being hit by one of those black fellow's assegais. Down withyou! down, quick!" he shouted.
Heroines as they were, they perhaps not very unwillingly obeyed; butwhen Percy told Biddy that she must retire, she exclaimed--
"What! me a gineral, an' goin' to desert me post! Sure, I don't mindthe niggers' long spikes more than if they wor mop-handles." Andlevelling a rifle, of which she had possessed herself, she fired down onthe still advancing Zulus. Then picking up one after the other, sheblazed away with deadly effect, bringing down a Zulu at every shot,until Percy told her to begin reloading, while he, with the other menwho had now mounted to the platform, kept up the fire. Meantime CaptainBroderick, with Lionel, had entered the fort. Mrs Broderick, who hadbeen waiting with feelings it would be difficult to describe, seeing herhusband and the young stranger appear at the gate, hurried forward tomeet them. A brief embrace was all Captain Broderick had time to givehis wife, before he, with Rupert and Crawford, climbed up on theplatform, he having scarcely recognised his daughters in their strangeattire. Lionel thought it was his duty to follow them. He was about todo so, when his eyes met those of the lady approaching him.
"Yes!" he exclaimed, "you must be--I know you are--my mother."
Mrs Broderick threw her arms round his neck, and pressing him to herheart, kissed him again and again, as she exclaimed, in a voice chokingwith emotion, "You are my long-lost Walter: I need no one to tell methat; I remember every lineament of your countenance."
For the moment, as she clasped her boy in her arms, she heard not therattling of the musketry, the shrieks and yells of the assailants, theshouts of the defenders, the din of battle; every feeling, every sensewas absorbed in contemplating her recovered child. She would scarcelyrelease him from her embrace to receive the welcome which his sisters,who now came up, showed their eagerness to give him.
He looked at them with no little astonishment at first, notcomprehending who they were, until they told him that Percy hadpersuaded them to dress up in order to deceive the enemy.
"But I must not let the rest be fighting on the walls while I remaindown here in safety," he said at length. "I don't like to leave you,mother; but while others are exposed to danger, it is a disgrace to meto keep out of harm's way."
"But, my dear boy, I cannot let you go," exclaimed Mrs Broderick. "Youhave only just been restored to me, and the assegais of the cruel Zulusmight reach you on the platform. Percy has sent your sisters down,which shows that he considers there must be danger."
"The same kind Being who has hitherto preserved me will take care of mestill," answered Lionel; "and my father and my brothers are exposed tothe same peril."
Mrs Broderick had a severe struggle, but his arguments prevailed, andshe at length allowed him to join the defenders on the walls. The Zulusin the meantime had only retreated beyond musket shot.
Percy had pointed out to Captain Broderick where the main body wereencamped. Taking the telescope, he looked through it in that direction.
"They have heard the firing, and are marching down towards the river,"he observed. "They little expect to find the farm so well garrisoned.Percy, you have acted admirably; for I believe, had our assailants notbeen led to suppose that a large number of men were posted round thewalls to give them a warm reception, they would have come on much moreboldly. It would be as well now to get rid of the dummies, lest theirkeen eyes should discover how they have been deceived, and they shouldthen fancy that we have even fewer men than is really the case."
"I don't like so summarily dismissing my garrison, but of course you areright, father," said Percy; and he and Rupert went round and began tothrow the dummy warriors off the platform, two of the pumpkinssplitting, however, in falling.
"I say, we must lower them more gently," observed Percy, "for we maywant them again, and it won't do to place them in position with crackedskulls."
They accordingly fastened them to the rope by which the swivels had beenhoisted up, and let them all quietly down, one by one.
"Sure, cap'in, ye don't want me to go down," cried Biddy. "Whether theytake me for a gineral or an old woman, it won't much matter, for they'llfind that an old woman can fight as well as many a gineral. Let thimcome on as fierce as they may, I'll not be after showin' the whitefeather."
"We mustn't tell my sisters what you say, Biddy, or they'll think youare throwing reflections on them," said Percy. "However, after the wayin which you have handled a musket, I'm sure you will prove an abledefender of our farm, should the Zulus venture again to attack it."
Besides Captain Broderick, his three sons and Crawford, the garrisonconsisted of Vermack and Matyana, and six Kaffir and Hottentot servants.They were but few in number to oppose the host of warriors threateningthem. Mangaleesu seeing this, begged that he and Kalinda might beallowed to come up on the ramparts to assist in the defence.
"If the white chief thinks we shall be recognised, we can soon sodisguise ourselves that the enemy will not know us," he said.
"Of course you can fight, as you desire it; but unless your wifeinsists, as Biddy does, in joining in the defence, I don't wish toexpose her to danger, answered the captain."
Kalinda, however, declared that her desire was to join her husband, andin a short time both of them came up, their countenances so concealed bythe hats and the plumes of feathers which adorned their heads, that itwould have been difficult for those outside to have discovered who theywere. The other Kaffirs, who usually wore scanty attire, dressedthemselves in the same fashion, and thus the enemy might easily havesupposed that a native contingent had arrived to assist in the defenceof the fort.
Captain Broderick, however, feared that although the apparent strengthof his garrison might keep the Zulus at a distance, they would ravagehis fields, and carry off the cattle and sheep which had been leftoutside. They might also lay siege to the place, and attempt to starvehim out. He anxiously watched the movements of the main body. Insteadof directing their course towards the usual crossing place near thefarm, they marched to a spot much lower down the river, showing thatthey had some dread of being opposed by the garrison, had they attemptedthe passage higher up. The party which had made the first attack hadnow gone in the same direction to cover their passage.
"We cannot save the crops, if the fellows are determined to destroythem," he observed to Rupert; "but we may preserve the cattle and sheep,by driving some into the fort, and others among the hills, where theZulus will not dare to follow them."
"We have time to do that, if we don't lose a moment. I'll go at once,"cried Percy.
"No, let me go," said Rupert. "Percy is not accustomed to the cattle.I will take Vermack and Matyana, and we will bring in as many as we can,while the herdsmen who remain with the rest drive them off in themeantime to the mountains. If we are seen by the Zulus, they willsuppose that the whole have been driven into the fort, and will not goand look after the others."
Captain Broderick, although he would gladly have avoided employing hisson in so dangerous an expedition, did not think it right to forbid it.And Rupert, calling the two men, immediately set off, all three carryingtheir rifles as well as their long stock whips, required for driving thecattle. As they made their way towards the meadows where the cattlewere feeding, they bent down and kept as much as possible under cover,so as not to be seen by the Zulus. They were watched anxiously from theramparts. Captain Broderick could not help wishing that he had not letRupert go, when he saw through his glass the horde of savagesassembling, and who might come rushing up to the farm before there wastime for him and his companions to get back. The drawbridge was keptdown and the gate open ready for their return. Fortunately the groundwas sufficiently clear in front of the farm to prevent any of the Zuluscoming near enough to make a su
dden rush.
While he kept a look-out on their movements, several men were stationedat the drawbridge to haul it up, should they again draw near. He hadcharged Rupert, to whom he had given his own pocket telescope, carefullyto observe what they were about, and should he feel doubtful as to beingable to bring the cattle into the farm in time, not to attemptreturning; but to drive them all off into the mountains. He should thuslose three of his best men for the defence of the fort; but it would bebetter than to allow them to risk losing their lives and the cattle intothe bargain. Fortunately Mrs Broderick was not aware that Rupert hadgone out, so that she was saved much anxiety on his account. When theZulus had retreated, the captain sent Lionel down to remain with hismother and sisters.
"They will wish to hear more about my expedition to bring you back," hesaid. "You can tell them all you know, and how unwilling my friendHendricks was to give you up, although he hesitated no longer, whenconvinced that you were really my son."
Lionel, or rather Walter, gladly obeyed. His mother's thoughts werethus drawn off from the dangerous position in which the farm was placed.Walter spoke in the warmest terms of the kindness of Hendricks, and hisregret at leaving him.
"He told me," he added, smiling, "should you ever get tired of me, thathe will be glad to receive me back, though I don't think that will everhappen. I am sure that I don't wish to go, for I have often and oftenthought of you, and fancied I saw your loving eyes looking down upon me.I am very sorry for Denis, who will be all alone. If it had not beenfor his wish to go in search of his father, he would gladly have comeback with me. He told me to say so, and to ask leave for him to return,should his father not be found."
"I shall be glad if he comes back," said Maud; "he was as much at homehere with us as Rupert and Percy are, and I liked him almost as much asI do them."
"He is a capital fellow!" exclaimed Walter warmly, "and I too should bevery glad if he were able to live with us always; for I don't think hewould ever grow tired of the life here, although he has been so longaccustomed to travelling and hunting."
Maud hoped that the buoyant and spirited young Irishman would some dayreturn to the farm. Meantime Captain Broderick, with Percy andCrawford, kept watch on the platform, while Biddy marched aboutflourishing her sword, of which the captain had not thought fit todeprive her. Every now and then she gave vent to her feelings byshouting out defiance to the enemy, who still kept at a distance fromthem. Why they did not come on at once to attack the fort it wasimpossible to say. Captain Broderick was thankful for the delay, as itgave Rupert a better chance of being able to drive in the cattle. Theyappeared to be holding a council of war, he suspected for the object offorming some plan of attack. His mind was greatly relieved when atlength he saw the heads of the cattle coming round a wood to thenorth-west, and heard the crack of the stock whips. Presently Rupertand Vermack appeared, urging on the slow-moving and obstinate animalswith all their might.
Just then Percy, who was looking through the glass, cried out--
"The Zulus are moving. They are marching this way. I can see themclashing their shields and shaking their assegais over their heads, withtheir chiefs leading them. I must let Rupert know, that he may hastenon with the animals. He will understand what is meant if I fire amusket."
"By all means," said Captain Broderick. "Fire a second if they do notattend to the first signal."
Percy fired as he proposed.
Directly afterwards Rupert and Vermack were seen, accompanied by two ofthe herdsmen, who were flourishing their whips and leaping from side toside to urge on the still lagging animals. It seemed doubtful whetherthey or the Zulus would first reach the farm. There could be no doubtthat as soon as they were seen, the latter would hasten on and attemptto cut them off. Their friends earnestly hoped that rather than run therisk of this, they would leave the cattle to their fate, and would maketheir way into the fort.
Percy again fired, and pointed in the direction the Zulus were coming,trusting that he might be seen. The men in the meantime were standingat the drawbridge ready to admit the cattle, and then to raise it.
Presently Matyana and a shepherd, with a flock of sheep, appeared. Itseemed scarcely possible that they, at all events, would escape beingcut off. Though sheep, under ordinary circumstances, walk slowly, theydo occasionally put their best feet foremost. Should they get in, agreat advantage would be gained, for the Zulus would naturally supposethat the whole of the cattle and sheep belonging to the farm had beendriven inside, and would not go in search of the remainder.
More than once Rupert looked towards the advancing Zulus, as if tocalculate the distance; still he was evidently unwilling to abandon hischarge, and exerted all his skill to drive them on. Suddenly theanimals seemed to be seized with a desire to rush forward. Whether ornot they observed the Zulus, it is difficult to say, but kicking uptheir heels, and whisking their tails, they made towards the drawbridge,and came rushing in pell-mell, the sheep at the same time followingtheir example, when they, with their drivers, panting from theirexertions, were safe inside before the Zulus had got within rifle shotof the fort.
"Well done, Rupert! well done, Vermack! you succeeded admirably,"shouted the captain.
The drawbridge was hauled up, the door closed, and the cattle beingdriven into the kraal, which was pretty well crowded by this time,Rupert and Vermack, with the other men, were enabled to assist in thedefence.
The judgment exhibited by Captain Broderick in his selection of the spotfor his farm buildings was now more than ever evident. One side wasprotected by the river, and the other by inaccessible rocks. It couldonly be assailed either in front or the right side, where it wasenfiladed by a projecting tower.
The Zulus had had no experience in attacking forts, and it was veryevident that they looked upon the stockaded farm as they would upon oneof their own kraals. They might have seen the cattle driven in, butthey considered, as they were sure to capture the place, that it wouldbe an advantage to have them all together, caught as it were in one net.As Captain Broderick looked through his telescope, he could observetheir countenances, and it struck him they looked very much astonishedat seeing the drawbridge hoisted up.
The front ranks halted just beyond musket range, to allow the others tocome up, and then giving vent to the most terrific shrieks and yells,they rushed forward to the attack.
CHAPTER TWENTY.
THE RELIEF.
Captain Broderick possessed but a small garrison to defend suchextensive fortifications as those of Falls Farm against the numeroushorde of savages now threatening to assault it. But he could trustthoroughly to the vigilance and courage of most of his men, and oldVermack was a host in himself, while his sons and Crawford had alreadyshown the stuff they were made of. As to Biddy, he was very sure shewould fight to the last, but he had to charge her not to expose herself,as she showed an inclination to do.
He possessed sufficient firearms to furnish each man, including Biddy,with a couple of rifles or muskets, besides the two swivels, but he hadreason to fear, should the siege be protracted, that, his ammunitionmight run short. He had therefore warned his men not to throw a shotaway.
Percy, ever fertile in resources, proposed that they should carry up tothe platform a quantity of stones, a large heap of which had beencollected to erect a storehouse which might be impervious to the attacksof ants. No sooner did the idea occur to him, than he told his sisterswhat he wanted. Wheelbarrows had been introduced on the farm, and acouple were standing ready. Getting three or four big baskets withstrong handles, the young ladies, glad to find occupation, at once setto work, as did their mother, and exerting more strength than theyfancied they possessed, they quickly filled the baskets, and broughtthem under the platform, when they were speedily hoisted up, each manbeing soon supplied with a heap. This was done before the Zulus hadrecommenced their advance.
When Captain Broderick saw the enemy coming, he directed his wife anddaughters to retire into the house.
"If the fellows venture to come near enough, they may hurl theirassegais over the wall, and you will run the risk of being hurt," heshouted. "Remember we are fighting for you, and it would be a poorsatisfaction to drive off the enemy, and find that you had been injured.We will call you if you are wanted, but I enjoin you to keep undershelter until then."
Mrs Broderick and the young ladies obeyed the captain's orders.Although they were not allowed to fight, they could pray for the safetyof those they loved.
Captain Broderick had the satisfaction of feeling that he had notprovoked the attack by any unjust act on his part. It might possiblyhave been avoided, had he ungratefully refused to afford protection toMangaleesu and his wife, who had been of essential service to Percy andDenis, but not for a moment did he regret having performed the duty hehad taken on himself.
On and on came the Zulus, confident in their numbers, evidentlybelieving that the fortifications of Falls Farm would afford no greaterresistance than the stockades of their kraals. Captain Broderick wouldeven now thankfully have avoided bloodshed, if the savages would havegiven him the opportunity. He had hitherto lived at peace with hisneighbours, and had proved the result of judicious kindness to a largenumber of Kaffirs, not further advanced in civilisation than those nowarrayed in arms against him. He ordered his men not to fire a shotuntil he should give the command. As soon as the enemy got within hail,he shouted, at the top of his voice--
"Why do you thus come to attack me? Beware before it is too late! I amprepared to receive you, and make you repent that you come as enemiesinstead of as friends."
He was well aware that the principal object of the Zulu chiefs was thedestruction of the farm, they having become jealous of its existence soclose to their own borders, for they considered that it affordedprotection to others besides Mangaleesu who desired to escape from theirtyranny, and who, from being kindly treated, became firm friends to theEnglish.
As soon as they understood the tenor of Captain Broderick's address theybegan shouting and clashing their shields to drown his voice.
"Their blood be upon their own heads," he cried out to his own men."Remember to pick off the fellows with tall plumes. If we kill thechiefs, their followers will quickly take to flight."
"We will see to that," answered Vermack with a grin, as he tapped thelock of his rifle.
The other men, in various tones, responded to the same effect.
Although the Zulus shouted and shrieked, and rushed on as if resolvedthat nothing should stop their progress until they were inside thestockade, the resolute front exhibited by Captain Broderick and his menevidently damped their ardour as they approached. Had the guns beenfired while they were at a distance, when the shot would have producedcomparatively little effect, they would have come on more boldly, butthe perfect silence maintained by the defenders puzzled them. Theyobserved also that there were fewer men on the walls than they hadbefore seen, and they began to fancy that an ambuscade had been formed,by which they might suddenly be attacked on the flank. So CaptainBroderick suspected. He remarked that the rear ranks were not coming onat the same speed as those in front, while many of the men were lookinguneasily over their left shoulders. He still waited, however, until thefront rank, led by the most daring of their chiefs, had got withinhalf-musket range.
The discharge of one of the swivels was the signal for opening fire.Captain Broderick pulled the trigger, and the next instant his men wereblazing away as fast as they could fire and reload.
When the smoke had cleared off, the whole Zulu force was seen hastilyretreating, dragging off several of their number killed or wounded.Biddy, as she saw them scampering off, gave vent to a truly Irish shoutof triumph, which was taken up by Percy, and echoed by most of thedefenders of the fort.
"All very well," observed Vermack, in his usual dry way; "but, friends,don't be trusting those fellows. They have found us better preparedthan they expected, but they're not beaten yet. They'll bide theirtime, and wait till they can see a chance of getting in with less riskto themselves."
"Vermack gives you good advice, my lads," said Captain Broderick. "Iagree with him entirely: we must not relax our vigilance, but keep onthe watch day and night."
"For my part, I wish that they had come on again and let us finish thebusiness off hand," exclaimed Percy. "What do you say, father, to oursallying out and pursuing them? I should like to do it, for the chancesare they would take to flight, and not stop until we had driven themacross the river."
"No, no; we must not despise them too much," answered Captain Broderick."If they saw a small force coming, they would to a certainty turn, andprobably surround and cut us off. We are secure within our stockade aslong as we keep a watch to prevent surprise, and here we must remainuntil our enemies grow tired and give up the attempt to destroy us, oruntil the authorities at Natal hear of the position in which we areplaced, and send a sufficient force to our relief. But as the messengerI despatched cannot yet have got to Maritzburg, I fear it will be many along day before we can rely on assistance from that quarter."
The movements of the Zulus were watched with considerable anxiety. Theycontinued to retreat until they were completely out of sight, butwhether or not they had recrossed the river it was impossible toascertain without sending out scouts. This Captain Broderick wasunwilling to do, as they would run a great risk of being cut off by theenemy, who would, to a certainty, be on the watch for them, and good mencould ill be spared from the garrison.
The hours went by. Night came on. Nothing more had been seen of theenemy. The captain, as he went his rounds, charged the sentries to keepa bright look-out. It was arranged that Rupert and Crawford should keepone watch, while Percy and Lionel, or rather Walter, as his familycalled him, kept the other. Biddy was very indignant at being sent backto the kitchen.
"Sure I've bin a gineral all day, an' fought as well as the best of ye,and now I'm to be turned back into a cook an' an old woman, when I'd bewatching as sharply as any of the men lest those spalpeens ofblack-a-moors should be coming back at night to attack us," sheexclaimed, as she sheathed her sword and doffed the captain's coat andhat.
The young ladies had long before put off their martial attire. They nowset to work to assist Biddy in preparing supper, of which the garrisonstood greatly in need. Only one portion could partake of it at a time,so that Biddy and the young ladies had work enough in running backwardsand forwards with the dishes. The fare was ample, there being no lackof food in the fort; and as soon as the men had supped, they returned,some to their posts and others to lie down until it was their turn forduty.
Rupert and Crawford kept the first watch, but no enemies were seen, nordid even the dogs give warning that any strangers were in theneighbourhood. They then aroused Percy and Lionel, who sprang fromtheir couches with all the zeal of young soldiers.
"This reminds me of many a night's watch we have had together whentravelling with Hendricks," said Percy. "I thought when I came to thefarm that I should have had too quiet a life of it, but I like this sortof thing, and I hope we shall give the Zulus a lesson which will teachthem we are not to be molested with impunity."
"We must keep a very strict watch, then," said Lionel. "I know howcunning they are, and that their great object will be to throw us offour guard. I have not the slightest expectation that they will cometo-night or to-morrow night either. They may wait days and weeks untilthey think they can catch us unawares, and then they will come down likea thunder-clap on the farm. They are not aware, however, that ourfather has sent to Maritzburg, and my hope is that they will put off theattack until we get assistance, and they will have to hurry away as fastas they can run. I have no wish to see the poor savages killed. Theyare urged on by their chiefs, and know no better."
Lionel was right in his conjectures that the fort would not be attacked,for the sun rose once more, and the whole country looked peaceful andsmiling as ever. Not a Zulu was to be seen with the naked eye, and theonly sign of their having been near the f
ort was the trampled grass,stained here and there with the blood of their wounded warriors.
Percy took a look through the telescope. He observed that a body of menremained at their former camping-place at the foot of the hills to theeastward, and in the distance to the south he made out several blackheads on the move, showing that the Zulus were still waiting for anopportunity either of attacking the farm to advantage, or of capturingthe fugitives. They were of course not aware of the powerful instrumentwhich enabled the garrison to watch their movements, while their sharpeyes could scarcely see even the fort itself.
Percy having taken his observations, called his father, as he had beendesired to do. The captain's first thought was about the cattle. Thefodder stored in the farm was barely sufficient to last more than acouple of days. It would be necessary to collect a further supply. Thegrass, however, in the neighbourhood of the farm had already been cutfor that purpose, or had been trampled down by the Zulus, and the menmust therefore go to a considerable distance to obtain it.
This undertaking would be hazardous; for should they be perceived by theZulus, attempts would certainly be made to cut them off.
Crawford, on hearing what was required, at once volunteered to go out incharge of a party, promising to keep strict watch, and should anyenemies be seen, at once to return.
Captain Broderick accepted his offer. He thought it wiser to gomounted; and the waggon, with horses harnessed to it, was sent to bringback the grass.
Vermack went as driver, and four other men accompanied him to cut andload the waggon. The captain gave Crawford his field glass, to assisthim in keeping a watch on the enemy. Percy promised also to be on thelook-out, and to fire guns as signals, should he observe any movementamong them.
As there was no time to be lost, the party immediately set off. Theywere watched anxiously from the fort until they were out of sight.
A couple of hours quickly passed, during which time Percy, accompaniedby Lionel, had kept constant watch from the platform. Suddenly Lionel,who was looking through the glass, exclaimed--
"I see some of the Zulus moving to the westward. Depend upon it theyhave discovered Crawford, and from where he is he cannot see them."
Percy, taking a look through the glass, exclaimed--
"There is no doubt about it. I must give the first warning signal toCrawford;" and he fired off a musket.
As there was no reply, he soon afterwards discharged another andanother.
Captain Broderick and Rupert came hurrying up to ascertain what washappening. The Zulus were no longer in sight, but he feared that hissons were right in their conjecture. All eyes were turned in thedirection it was expected that Crawford would appear.
They had not long to wait before the waggon came in sight. Old Vermacklashing the horses, which tore along at a tremendous rate, the rest ofthe men being seated in the vehicle, while Crawford, who followed, everynow and then turned a glance behind, as if aware that an enemy was inpursuit. That such was the case was soon evident. The Zulus were seenscampering as fast as their legs could carry them, hoping apparentlythat the roughness of the ground or some accident might place thefugitives at their mercy. There indeed seemed even now a greatprobability that they would be overtaken. Crawford still gallantlybrought up the rear. He was seen holding his rifle ready to fire, so asto keep them in check, should they come nearer. The horses' hoofs andthe waggon wheels, however, threw up so much dust from the dry groundthey were now passing over, that he was soon completely shut out fromview. The men were summoned to the ramparts, with the exception ofthose required to haul up the drawbridge. Percy got his swivels ready.Biddy made her appearance with the captain's hat, which she had justtime to stick on her head, and a couple of muskets in her hand.
Again the horses could be distinguished still coming at the same rate asbefore. But what had become of Crawford? A shot was heard, it washoped that he had fired it, and not one of his pursuers.
"There he is, there he is!" cried Lionel, whose sharp eyes had piercedthe cloud of dust. Presently he emerged from the cloud a short distancebehind the waggon, sitting his horse as if uninjured. The Zulus couldalso be seen, with their assegais poised, eager to hurl them at him; buthe still kept ahead of them. The pursuers, excited by the ardour of thechase, at length got within musket range of the west angle of the fort,from whence a warm fire was opened upon them. They appeared not to beaware of their danger until the bullets came flying about their ears,when turning tail they ran off as fast as they had before been going inan opposite direction, and Vermack drove his panting steeds up to thedrawbridge. They were quickly over, bringing in a considerable load ofgrass.
Captain Broderick descended to thank Crawford for the service he hadrendered.
"I should have been caught, however, had I not heard your signal guns,"he answered; "for the Zulus were creeping up so noiselessly, that theywere almost upon us before the men had time to jump into the waggon; andeven though Vermack lashed on his horses, we had great difficulty inkeeping ahead of them."
It is needless to say that Crawford received a further reward from theway he was greeted by Helen, who had been more anxious, probably, thanany one else during his absence.
The supply of grass thus brought in was of great assistance in feedingthe cattle, but it had to be husbanded to the utmost, as the Zulus werecertain not to let the waggon go out again without making an attempt tocapture it.
Another and another day passed as the first had done. The Zulus keptcarefully out of sight. The scouts, who went cautiously out, reportedthat they had fallen in with the enemy's scouts in the neighbourhood,evidently keeping a strict watch on the fort, so that no one would beable to leave it without a risk of being cut off.
The fodder was now running very short. There was scarcely enough forthe animals for another day. They might, to be sure, yet live a day ortwo without food, although they would suffer in consequence; but thatwas better than allowing them to fall into the enemy's hands.
Two days more passed. Every particle of food was gone. It wasdetermined as a last resource to turn out the cattle at night. Two ofthe Hottentots bravely volunteered to drive them towards the mountains;but Vermack expressed his opinion that that was more than they could do,as the poor animals, having been so long starved, were certain to remainfeeding on the first pasture land they came to. "It would be better toslaughter them at once than to let them fall into the hands of thesavages," he added.
It was resolved therefore to keep them another day. Crawford had notneglected his little zebra, which, as it was able to live on milk, wasbetter off than any other of the creatures, although the supply affordedby the poor cows, for whom a small amount of fodder had been reserved,was becoming less and less.
Another night approached. The garrison were beginning to get worn outwith watching, although they had to make no great exertions in otherrespects.
"I suppose we shall have another night's useless watching," observedCrawford; "I don't believe that the Zulus will venture to attack thefort."
"Don't trust to that belief, Mr Crawford," said Vermack. "If theydon't come to-night, they will to-morrow or the next day; perhaps in theday-time, if they think that we are off our guard; but it is ourbusiness to expect that they will come to-night."
The old Dutchman refused to turn in, though it was not his watch, andwrapped in his blanket he took his post on the platform.
The night was cloudy and unusually dark. Denis had bestowed Raff as aparting gift on Percy, who had taken the dog up with him.
For some time Raff lay perfectly still, but at length he rose from hisrecumbent position, and began to move away to the right side of thefort.
Percy observing this followed him, and on his way he found Vermack goingin the same direction. Presently Raff gave a low growl, then another,and began to run backwards and forwards.
"Go, Mr Percy, and call out all the men: depend upon it the Zulus arenot far off," whispered Vermack. "I'll keep post here. They think
totake us by surprise."
Percy rushed off to do as he was requested. He fortunately met Lionel,who hastened to call his father. He had just aroused the garrison, whenthe sound of Vermack's gun showed that he had seen something to fire at.
Most of the men, led by Captain Broderick, sprang up to that side of thefort, just in time to encounter a shower of assegais, and to see a dozendark heads rising above the stockade. Few, however, got higher; forVermack, clubbing his musket, struck out right and left, hurling downthe greater number into the ditch, while the rest were shot or struckdown by the other men in the same fashion. The garrison now opened fireon the mass of dark objects moving about below them. While thusengaged, Percy's voice was heard shouting--
"Come to the front! come to the front! They are trying to get in overthe gate."
Rupert, Crawford, Lionel and Mangaleesu, with several men, hastened tohis assistance. They were barely in time to drive back the assailants,who, while their companions had been engaged at the right side, hadmanaged to place some rudely constructed ladders against the stockade.At the same time showers of assegais came hurtling through the air.Mangaleesu had thrown aside his shield, that he might use a club, withwhich he had supplied himself, with better effect. He was followedclosely by a light active figure, whom Percy recognised as Kalinda.Where the Zulus appeared the thickest, there they were to be found, andmany an assegai was caught by the young Zulu woman, and hurled back atthe assailants of the fort. At length a piercing cry was heard abovethe shouts of the combatants.
Mangaleesu was no longer seen wielding his club, and Percy caught sightof a number of Zulus attempting to climb up at the spot he had hithertobeen defending. Ever prompt in action, he immediately turned one of theswivel guns, loaded to the muzzle with bullets, and directed it so as tosweep the wall.
Groans and cries followed the discharge, and the dark mass of humanbeings, with the ladders on which they had stood, fell crashing below.Still others came on, evidently determined to gain an entrance at allcosts.
Although the muskets of the defenders had performed their deadly work,they themselves had not escaped unscathed from the assegais of theZulus. Several had been hurt, and Crawford had a severe wound in hisleft shoulder.
Frequently old Vermack's voice had been heard shouting, "Fire away,boys! fire away! don't spare the savages." There was little necessityfor this advice, however. Every man knew that should their assailantsonce get in, the lives of all would be sacrificed.
It would have been well had the captain's orders not to throw a shotaway been obeyed. As it was, however, every one loaded and fired asfast as possible, often over the heads of the enemy.
Percy, who had been employing his swivels with great effect, at lengthshouted out to Lionel to go and get some more powder. "I've nearly cometo the end of mine," he said.
Lionel hurried off, but just as Percy fired his last shot he came backwith the alarming intelligence that the magazine was empty.
"Our father and Crawford, and some of the men, have a few rounds; but Ihave none, nor has Rupert."
"Then we must use the stones. Fortunately I thought of them," criedPercy, undaunted. "I only hope that the Zulus won't suspect that ourammunition is exhausted."
No sooner did the besiegers again venture under the walls, than theshowers of stones which clattered down on their heads made them oncemore beat a rapid retreat; but those who threw them had to exposethemselves far more than before, and many were wounded by the assegaisof the savages, who kept hurling them from a distance which the stonescould not reach.
Captain Broderick had escaped unhurt. He was seen everywhere firing hisrifle as long as he had a round left, encouraging his men, and finallytaking to stone-throwing.
But the Zulus were not long in discovering the want of ammunition amongthe garrison; and now, confident of success, the main body, which hadhitherto been kept in reserve, rushed up to the attack, carrying laddersfor crossing the ditch and mounting the walls. Still Captain Broderickencouraged his men to hold out.
"We will drive them back, my boys, notwithstanding," he shouted. Hesent Lionel with Biddy and two men to bring up a further supply of thestones. "And tell your mother and sisters, on no account to leave thehouse," he added. "Let them keep up their courage; for depend on it weshall succeed in driving back the savages."
Although he said this, he could not help feeling how desperate was theirsituation. On every side the Zulus appeared, their numbers greatlyincreased since the last attack. They had in all probability beenwaiting for reinforcements. They now thickly thronged round the walls,and his fear was that they might even find their way to the rear of thefort. Already nearly half the garrison had been wounded, two of whom hehad seen fall to the ground, while others, weakened by loss of blood,had scarcely strength to hurl the stones down on the heads of theirassailants. At length for the first time he began to despair ofsuccessfully defending the fort. As a last resource he resolved tosummon the whole of the garrison, and to retire into the house, which hehoped to be able to defend with fixed bayonets and the assegais throwninto the fort. Still, as yet, not a Zulu had got inside, but at anymoment they might make their way over the stockade.
Just then loud shouts were heard on the left, followed by a rattlingfire of musketry, and the Zulus, who had nearly gained the stockade,dropped down, almost together, some falling into the water, othersscrambling back by the way they had come. The shouts increased.
"Erin-go-bragh!" cried a voice from below.
"It's Denis, I'm sure of it," exclaimed Percy. "Hurrah! he must havecome with Hendricks, and they have managed to cross the river unseen bythe savages. The Zulus have evidently been seized with a panic. Idaresay they fancy that a larger force has come to our relief, sothought it wise to bolt without stopping to count heads."
Percy was right in his conjecture.
"Let down the drawbridge!" cried Denis; "the enemy have scampered offlike wild fowl, though only Hendricks, my father, and our men, withmyself, have been peppering them."
The drawbridge was quickly lowered, and Denis was the first to cross,followed by the hunter and Mr Maloney, together with twenty well-armedKaffirs and Hottentots.
"Having arrived soon after nightfall on the opposite side of the river,and camped, we were aroused by the sound of the firing, and guessingwhat was occurring, we managed to push across the stream just in time,it appears, to render you the assistance which I am delighted to haveafforded," said Hendricks. "We must take care, however, that the enemydo not attack our waggons, although I don't think they'll have the heartto do that. We'll bring them across the first thing to-morrow morning;meantime we must follow up the rascals, and prevent them from rallying.If any of your men can accompany us, we shall be glad of their aid; butif not, we are sufficiently strong to do the work ourselves."
"There's one will go with you," exclaimed Vermack, "and that's myself.Give me some ammunition, and let me get sight of the fellows, and I'llmake every bullet do its work." Four of the garrison only were capableof accompanying Hendricks, who without loss of time led his party out ofthe fort. They pushed forward at a rapid rate; but had not got farbefore daylight broke, and the enemy were seen far ahead, evidentlyintending to recross the river a considerable way from the farm. Hejudged, consequently, that there would be ample time to pass over thewaggons and the rest of his party, before they could make their way upthe east bank to impede the operation.
Few braver or more enterprising men than Hendricks the hunter were to befound, but at the same time he was ever anxious to avoid bloodshed; hetherefore, greatly to old Vermack's disappointment, returned at once tothe farm.
A sad scene was revealed by the light of day inside the fort. Two ofthe defenders lay dead, fallen from the platform to the ground, and athird desperately wounded with an assegai through his breast, and whohad hitherto been unobserved, lay gasping out his life. But sadderstill was the spectacle near the gateway. There lay the Zulu chief,Mangaleesu, with his faithful Kalinda
leaning over him, the bloodflowing from a wound in her side mingling with his, which, regardless ofher own injury, she had been endeavouring to stanch. Just as she wasdiscovered she fell forward lifeless on the body of her husband.
"Och! the poor creature's kilt intirely," cried Biddy, who with Percyand Lionel had hurried to assist her. "Och ahone! it's cruel to see oneso loving and true struck down. Yet it's better so than for her to havelived and mourned the loss of her husband."
Biddy said this as she raised the inanimate body of the young Zuluwoman, and found, on placing a hand on her heart, that her spirit hadfled.
Percy and Lionel knelt by the side of their friend, whom they at firsthoped might have merely fainted from loss of blood; but after feelinghis pulse and heart, with unfeigned sorrow they were convinced that hewas dead. Others soon joined them, and carried the two corpses into theroom they had inhabited, there to wait their burial.
There had hitherto been but little time to welcome Denis, or to hear howhis father had been recovered.
"Sure we didn't recover him, he recovered himself," answered Denis tothe questions put to him. "He had been far away to the north ofOliphants river, where, after having lost his oxen and fallen sick, hewas detained by an Amatonga chief, a regular savage, who from merewantonness used once a month to threaten to put him to death if hisfriends did not send the heavy ransom he demanded, while all the time hewas detaining the messengers my father endeavoured to despatch toMaritzburg. Wonderful however to relate, the savage chief became aChristian through the influence of a native missionary, who had made hisway into that region. On this he at once released my father, suppliedhim with fresh oxen, and enabled him to fill up his waggon with tusksand skins. He had a long journey south, and reached Hendricks' camp thevery day after Captain Broderick left it. I was about to return withhim to Maritzburg, while Hendricks intended to proceed on to thenorth-west, when, just as we were separating, Onoko, the same Kaffir whobrought the message to you a short time ago, came to our camp with theinformation that a large body of Zulus were marching, bent on thedestruction of this farm, in consequence of Mangaleesu and his wifehaving found refuge here.
"Hendricks, who would scarcely believe the report, sent out a couple ofscouts to ascertain its truth, which, however, on their return theyfully confirmed. We immediately, therefore, set out in this direction.Hendricks, I suspect, was not slightly influenced by remembering thatLionel was with you, and that should the Zulus succeed in their attempthe would be sacrificed with the rest of you."
Some time was occupied by Hendricks and Maloney in passing over theirwaggons, which were brought within the fortifications, when the oxen andhorses under a strong guard were turned out to graze, all the men whocould be spared being employed in burying the dead at some distance fromthe farm.
A grave was dug for Mangaleesu and Kalinda, on a tree-shaded mound, ashort distance from the farm. Mrs Broderick, while sincerely grievingfor their death, had the satisfaction of knowing from the testimony theyhad given, that they had both become true, if not very enlightened,Christians, and would there rest in peace in the sure hope of a gloriousresurrection.
Hendricks, who was known and respected throughout Zululand, anxious forthe safety of his friends, considered it a wise course to send an envoyto the Zulu chief, Mapeetu, who had led, he ascertained, the attack onthe farm, to ask why he had thus endeavoured to injure his neighboursthe English. The envoy was directed at the same time casually to referto the death of Mangaleesu and Kalinda.
Mapeetu, attended by two of his counsellors, three days afterwards madehis appearance at Falls Farm. He expressed his regret at what hadhappened, and he hoped, he said, now the cause of enmity had ceased,that they might live in future on friendly terms with the white chiefand his retainers.
Captain Broderick replied that he felt much satisfaction at hearingthis; but he observed to Hendricks--
"I don't intend to trust the fellow a bit the more for all hisprotestations; but shall be as much on the watch as ever, and will takecare to have an ample supply of arms and ammunition, while I will keepup the stockade which have just done such good service."
While Hendricks, not wishing again to enter Zululand, set off to crossthe Drakensberg, Mr Maloney proceeded towards Maritzburg, promising, tothe great delight of Denis, that having disposed of his goods, he wouldreturn to settle in the neighbourhood of Falls Farm.
The Zulus were shortly after this confined to a narrower space ofterritory, and Falls Farm, the scene of the stirring events latelydescribed, became the centre of a thriving agricultural district. Helenand Maud married respectively Crawford and Denis, who settled on farmsof their own, and Lionel with his brothers, in course of time alsoestablished themselves in the district. They all succeeded, though likeother settlers subjected to various ups and downs, and Lionel had thesatisfaction of watching over the declining years of his foster-father,Hendricks the hunter.
Hendricks the Hunter; Or, The Border Farm: A Tale of Zululand Page 19
