QUETO'S ATTACK ON FAKO. 279 



of Morley, where they were treated with kindness 

 and attention. 



The subsequent proceedings and fate of Queto, 

 after this atrocious deed, may be related in few words. 

 Emboldened by success, he determined to attack the 

 tribe of the great Chief Fako, who, being aware of 

 his intentions, stationed a strong body of warriors in 

 a thicket, which, in this country, is frequently nine 

 and ten feet high. Here they were placed among the 

 long grass, near a ford of the river, which he knew 

 the enemy must pass. It was the custom of Queto, as 

 of all Chaka's warriors, to rush forward furiously to 

 the charge in a body, and this made them so terrible 

 to all who opposed them. Aware of this circumstance, 

 Fako's followers pursued them at a distance, till they 

 reached the heights of the Umzimvoobo. The 

 descent of these heights to the river is thickly stud- 

 ded with mimosa. Here Fako's people, descending 

 like a mountain torrent, fought them single-handed 

 among the thorn-trees, for they were unable to col- 

 lect in a body, and cut them off in great numbers ; 

 while those lying in ambush arose at the proper 

 juncture, and slew all that were endeavouring to 

 effect their escape through the ford of the river. 

 Thus weakened and humbled, Queto sought to 

 strengthen himself by an alliance with the mountain 

 chief Madikana; but he, rejoicing in the mis- 

 fortune of a rival, suddenly came down upon him 

 with all his force, and nearly extirpated the re- 



