Mexico and Its Religion: With Incidents of Travel in That Country During Parts of the Years 1851-52-53-54, and Historical Notices of Events Connected With Places VisitedWilson, Robert Anderson
Religion
Mexico and Its Religion: With Incidents of Travel in That Country During Parts of the Years 1851-52-53-54, and Historical Notices of Events Connected With Places Visited
Wilson, Robert Anderson
Mexico -- Description and travel; Mexico -- Religion
"Soon after the battle commenced, the Bechuanas came up, and
united in playing on the enemy with poisoned arrows, but they
were soon driven back; half a dozen of the fierce Mantatees [the
enemy] made the whole body scamper off in wild disorder. After
two hours and a half's combat, the Griquas, finding their
ammunition fast diminishing, at the almost certain risk of loss
of life, began to storm [charge], when the enemy gave way, taking
a westerly direction. The horsemen, however, intercepted them,
when they immediately descended toward the ravine, as if
determined not to return by the way they came, which they
crossed, but were again intercepted. On turning round they seemed
desperate, but were again soon repulsed. Great confusion now
prevailed, the ground being very stony, which rendered it
difficult to manage the horses. At this moment an awful scene was
presented to the view. The undulating country around was covered
with warriors all in motion, so that it was difficult to say who
were enemies or who were friends. Clouds of dust were rising from
the immense masses, who appeared flying with terror or pursuing
with fear. To the alarming confusion was added the bellowing of
oxen, the vociferations of the yet unvanquished warriors, mingled
with the groans of the dying, and the widows' piercing wail, and
the cries from infant voices. The enemy again directed their
course toward a town which was in possession of a tribe of the
same people still more numerous. Here again another desperate
struggle ensued, when they appeared determined to inclose the
horsemen within the smoke and flames of the houses, through which
they were slowly passing, giving the enemy time to escape. At
last, seized with despair, they fled precipitately. It had been
observed during the fight that some women went backward and
forward to the town, only about half a mile distant, apparently
with the most perfect indifference to their fearful situation.
While the commando was struggling between hope and despair of
being able to rout the enemy, information was brought that the
half of the enemy, under Choane, were reposing in the town,
within sound of the guns, perfectly regardless of the fate of the
other division, under the command of Karagauye. It was supposed
they possessed entire confidence in the yet invincible army of
the latter, being the more warlike of the two. Humanly speaking,
had both parties been together, the day would have been lost,
when they would with perfect ease have carried devastation into
the centre of the colony [of the Cape]. When both parties were
united, they set fire to all parts of the town, and appeared to
be taking their departure, proceeding in an immense body toward
the north.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account