FOUNDING THE PROTECTORATE 
*3 r 
and the Atonga that the Yao again and again recoiled before the well-directed 
rifle fire. At last the ammunition on the side of the British was giving out, 
and in spite of the heavy losses amounting to over a hundred men on the part 
of the enemy it looked as though the defence must come to an end. At 
this juncture a reinforcement of Atonga was seen to be arriving, brought up 
by two planters, Messrs. Hynde and Starke. Bandawe proposed to Fletcher 
that they should charge the demoralised enemy who were already aware of 
the approach of reinforcements. Accordingly the defenders sallied out from 
the fort firing their last volleys. The Yao broke and fled, and were pursued 
for miles by the Sikhs and Atonga. Many prisoners were captured by 
Malemia’s men, who had hitherto decidedly “ sat on the fence,” apparently 
ready, had Kawinga prevailed, to side with the conqueror against the British. 
A RURAL POST OFFICE, BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA 
Among the prisoners taken was a son of Zarafi, whom Malemia caused to 
be beheaded. 
Kawinga retired to his mountain of Chikala. It seemed however to Mr. 
Sharpe that whilst the army remained demoralised was the time to definitely 
bring this struggle with Kawinga to a close. At this time his reinforcements of 
Sikhs had arrived from Fort Johnston under the command of Lieut. Hamilton 
and Captain W. H. Manning. 
Kawinga’s stronghold was approached by a new route and the enemy 
were taken by surprise. They defended the fords of the rivers with some 
pertinacity, and a few casualties took place amongst our native soldiers and 
allies. But while the main approach to the town was still being contested 
