Копи царя Соломона
The Last Stand of the Greys
Onexaminationwediscoveredthathehadbeenseriouslywoundedinthelegbyatollainthecourseofthepursuit,butthatthechainarmourhadpreventedhislastassailant’sspearfromdoinganythingmorethanbruisehimbadly. Itwasamercifulescape. Asnothingcouldbedoneforhimatthemoment,hewasplacedononeofthewickershieldsusedforthewounded,andcarriedalongwithus.
OnarrivingbeforethenearestgateofLoowefoundoneofourregimentswatchingitinobediencetoordersreceivedfromIgnosi. Theotherregimentswereinthesamewayguardingthedifferentexitstothetown. TheofficerincommandofthisregimentsalutedIgnosiasking, andinformedhimthatTwala’sarmyhadtakenrefugeinthetown,whitherTwalahimselfhadalsoescaped,buthethoughtthattheywerethoroughlydemoralised,andwouldsurrender. ThereuponIgnosi,aftertakingcounselwithus,sentforwardheraldstoeachgateorderingthedefenderstoopen,andpromisingonhisroyalwordlifeandforgivenesstoeverysoldierwholaiddownhisarms,butsayingthatiftheydidnotdosobeforenightfallhewouldcertainlyburnthetownandallwithinitsgates. Thismessagewasnotwithoutitseffect. Halfanhourlater,amidtheshoutsandcheersoftheBuffaloes,thebridgewasdroppedacrossthefosse,andthegatesuponthefurthersidewereflungopen.
