For a few moments the natives stood absolutely still, unable to realise what had befallen their Chief and their comrades. Then the ranks broke. Some began to give back; others, uttering terrific yells, bounded forward, crouching behind their shields as they dashed towards the gate.
It was a forlorn hope. Not a single man of Sibenga's followers got within twenty yards of the stockade. Several were shot dead; others, wounded and peppered with dust-shot, were soon limping back towards their more fortunate companions, who, showing more discretion than valour, had either remained still or had run before the desperate warriors had attempted their futile charge.
A quarter of an hour later not a single warrior capable of flight remained in sight. Eleven dead and four badly-wounded men were left lying outside the stockade in addition to Sibenga, the witch-doctor, and those who had fallen with them.
The only casualties to Colonel Narfield's party was a man wounded in the arm by a throwing-assegai, and a native porter hit on the head by a kerrie hurled by one of the attackers.
Upon examination it was found that two bullets had pierced the witch-doctor's heart, while Sibenga had been killed instantaneously by a bullet that had passed completely through his head.
Three days later Wynyard, the Assistant Commissioner of Nyaruma, arrived with a party of armed police. Sibenga's successor quickly tendered his submission. The tribe was severely admonished and made to pay a fine, including four horses, to be handed over to Colonel Narfield to recompense him for the loss of Brimstone and Treacle.
Thus the affair, which, had Sibenga been successful at the onset, would have possibly developed into a serious native rising, was promptly quashed, and a menace to the quiet and security of Kilembonga Estate was removed.
For nearly a week Mr. Wynyard remained in the district, spending his leisure hours at Colonel Narfield's house. When he returned with his small armed force, Colin and Tiny rode thirty miles on the road to Nyaruma, spending the night in a bivouac at the foot of the T'saga Mountains.
Next morning they said good-bye to the old Stockmere boy and set off on the homeward ride. This they accomplished almost without incident.
On the step of the house they found the Colonel giving directions to a workman.