Копи царя Соломона
The Attack
NowwhatsaysMacumazahn,thewilyoldfox,whohasseenmuch,andlovestobitehisenemyfrombehind? ThelastwordisinIgnositheking,foritisaking’srighttospeakofwar;butletushearthyvoice,OMacumazahn,whowatchestbynight,andthevoicetooofhimofthetransparenteye."
"Whatsayestthou,Ignosi,"Iasked.
"Nay,myfather,"answeredourquondamservant,whonow,cladashewasinthefullpanoplyofsavagewar,lookedeveryinchawarriorking,"dothouspeak,andletme,whoambutachildinwisdombesidethee,hearkentothywords."
Thusadjured,aftertakinghastycounselwithGoodandSirHenry,Ideliveredmyopinionbrieflytotheeffectthat,beingtrapped,ourbestchance,especiallyinviewofthefailureofourwatersupply,wastoinitiateanattackuponTwala’sforces. ThenIrecommendedthattheattackshouldbedeliveredatonce,"beforeourwoundsgrewstiff,"andalsobeforethesightofTwala’soverpoweringforcecausedtheheartsofoursoldiers"towaxsmalllikefatbeforeafire." Otherwise,Ipointedout,someofthecaptainsmightchangetheirminds,and,makingpeacewithTwala,deserttohim,orevenbetrayusintohishands.
Thisexpressionofopinionseemed,onthewhole,tobefavourablyreceived;indeed,amongtheKukuanasmyutterancesmetwitharespectwhichhasneverbeenaccordedtothembeforeorsince.
