My wife and I had reached the entrance of the approach. Nothing seemed
to denote hostility on the part of the natives, no person being visible,
except those guards who occupied the king's divan.
Suddenly we were startled by the savage yells of some thousand voices,
which burst unexpectedly upon us!
This horrible sound came from the direction of Matonse's house, and was
within 120 yards from the spot on which we stood; but the town was not
visible, owing to the thick covert of oil bushes.
The savage yells were almost immediately followed by two rifle shots in
the same direction.
"Sound the taboor!" Fortunately I gave this order to the bugler by my
side without one moment's delay.
I had just time to tell my wife to run into the divan and get my rifle
and belt, when the sharpshooters opened fire at me from the bushes,
within a few yards.
I had white cotton clothes, thus I was a very clear object. As I walked
towards the divan to meet my rifle, the serjeant who followed close
behind me fell shot through the heart. Poor fellow, the shot was aimed
at me!
The troops had fallen into position with extraordinary rapidity, and
several ascended the roof of the fort, so as to see clearly over the
high grass.
