228 THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
midst
of his retreating impis. His impetuous rush reached the cart that
carried the king; but the desperate Matabele flung themselves upon this
little troop in such masses that its advance was checked. Messages for
help were sent to the main troop in pursuit, under Major Forbes, but
succor was cut off by the rising of the Shangani River. Flight would
have saved most of them, but Wilson and his men who were able to ride
ofT scorned to abandon their wounded comrades. So, hard pressed by the
Matabele on all sides, they made a barrier of their horses, living
and
dead, and held their ground until their last cartridge was fired. Then
they stood up defiantly and fought hand to hand until the last man was
cut down and trampled under foot in the crush of the savage blacks.
The troop under Major Forbes was forced to retreat, and suffered much
privation before it was met by a relief party headed by Rhodes, who
rode out from Bulawayo.
The
loss of Major Wilson and his gallant men was deeply mourned; but the
campaign as a whole was a most brilliant success. Lobengula's power was
completely broken, his impis scattered, and he soon afterward died a
fugitive. The royal city of Bulawayo was made the capital of Rhodesia,
the province of the Chartered Company, and Dr. Jameson took his seat
there as Administrator. The rich mineral ground near Bulawayo soon
attracted a considerable influx and made a rising town, which in less
than three years boasted of its banks, clubs, newspapers,
