'By degrees, however, the first shelters were abandoned, and the men fell back on some rocks beyond. The General noticed this.
'"Return to the first positions!" he ordered.
'Bullets were falling like hail. There was a moment's hesitation.
'"Shall I go myself?" cried the Chief, advancing.
'But a brave fellow springs forward. It is Franck, who had already distinguished himself at Abraham's Kraal. Waving his rifle with a grand gesture, he cried: "Vive la France!"
'He fell instantly, struck by two bullets. But the impulse had been given; the positions were resumed.
'On all sides, however, the "khakis" were closing in upon us. They fixed their bayonets and charged. Suddenly the General fell back without a word. He was dead.'
* * * * *
Whatever the strength and vitality of a man may be, the inert body will fall when the soul takes flight. Villebois was the soul of the legion. Accordingly, when he was killed, the survivors surrendered, after four hours of heroic resistance.
Out of twenty-seven Frenchmen, the General, Le Gilles and Robiquet were killed, Bardin, Bernard, Franck and the others were wounded.