The attack was decisive. Uttering yells of terror the natives fled,
and two minutes later not a sound was to be heard in the forest.
"I tink dey run away for good dis time, sar," Ostik said. "Dey hav'
'nuf of him. Dey fight very brave, much more brave than people down
near coast. Dere in great battle only three, four men killed. Here
as many men killed as we got altogether."
This was so, nearly fifty of the natives having fallen between the
trees and the encampment. When an hour passed and all was still,
it became nearly certain that the enemy had retreated, and the
Houssas, who are splendid scouts, divested themselves of their
clothing and crawled away into the wood to reconnoiter. They returned
in half an hour in high glee, bearing the king's chair.
"Dey all run away, sar, ebery one, de king an' all, and leab his
chair behind. Dat great disgrace for him."
A council was now held. The Fans were so delighted with the victory
they had won, that they expressed their readiness to remain with
their white companions as long as they chose, providing these would
guarantee that they should be sent home on the expiration of their
service. This Mr. Goodenough readily promised.
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