Part 35 (1/2)

”We were not wrong in our suspicions, at all events,” said the Major; ”I should say that there are not less than a thousand men in these two parties which have already appeared Nohat shall we do? Shall we reons?”

”I really can hardly decide which would be the best,” replied Alexander; ”let us have a consultation with Breo away now,” said Breht suspect so, and coone, they would perhaps follow us, and overtake the wagons; but if we reons will have gained so much more distance”

The Griquas were of the same opinion; and it was decided that they would remain there till daybreak, and then set off

”But,” said Alexander, ”shall we leave this before they can see us, or allow them to see us?”

The Griquas said, that it would be better that the enemy should see them, as then they would know that the fires had been kept up to deceive the way off

This having been agreed upon, a careful watch was kept upon the eneh the moon had discovered the approach of the Matabili to the party, the spot where the camp had been pitched was in the shade, so that from the opposite side of the river only the fires could be distinguished A little before dawn, so, and they were all prepared to fire, when they discovered that it was Omrah, who, unknown to them, had crawled down to the banks of the river to reconnoiter the ene, stated that so the river, and that six had landed on this side, before he caive the information He pointed to a clump of trees, about three hundred yards off, and said that they had gone up in that direction, and were probably there by that time

”Then we had better saddle and ently to the wood on this side of the ca seen”

This advice was good, and approved by all They led out their horses without noise, and as soon as they had done so, they went back, and threw more fuel on the fires They then retreated to the wood, which was about the same distance from the camp, on the other side, as the clump of trees where the Matabili were secreted

They had hardly concealed themselves, before the Matabili in the cluons, and suspecting that they had been deceived, ca on all-fours, and as they arrived at the ca up one after another After re about a minute in consultation, two of the party were sent back to the river to coence to the main body, while the others searched about in every direction Alexander, with the Major and their party, remained where they were, as it was their intention to cross through the wood, until they caround, about a quarter of a mile to the southward, and then show theons

In a few ht, and they now perceived that the whole body of the Matabili were crossing the river

”They intend to pursue us, then,” said Alexander

Omrah now pointed to the side of the river, in the direction which the wagons had traveled when they cao away--ride that way first--saon coht,” said the Major; ”e start from the wood, ill keep by the riverside, in the track by which the wagons came; and e are concealed from them by the hills or trees, ill then start off to the southward after the wagons”

”I see,” replied Alexander; ”they will probably take the ons going away, and will follow theone also But here they come up the banks; it is time for us to be off”

”Quite time,” said the Major; ”so now let us show ourselves, and then trust to our heels”

The Matabili force was noithin four hundred yards of the caht; and, with their white and red shi+elds and short spears in their hands, they presented a very formidable appearance

There was no time to be lost, so the party rode out of the end of the wood nearest the river, and, as soon as they made their appearance, were received by a yell from the warriors, who dashed forward in the direction where they stood The Major had directed that no one should fire, as he and Alexander did not wish that any blood should be shed unnecessarily They therefore waved their hands, and turning their horses' heads galloped off by the banks of the river, keeping in the tracks alloped a quarter of a mile, they pulled up, and turned their horses' heads to reconnoiter They perceived that the Matabili force was pursuing them at the utmost speed: but as they had no horsemen, that speed was of course insufficient to overtake the well-mounted party in advance As soon as they were near, our party again galloped off and left them behind Thus they continued for four or fivethe tracks of the wagons, when they observed a belt of trees before theood screen to enable the perceived by the enealloped forward, and as soon as they were hidden by the trees, turned off in a direction by which they ons had ht

They had ridden about two miles, still concealed in the wood, when they had the satisfaction of perceiving the Matabili force still following at a rapid pace the tracks of the wagons on the riverside Having watched them for half an hour, as they now considered that all was safe, they again continued their course, so as to fall in with the wagons

”I think we are clear of them now,” said the Major; ”they have evidently fallen into the trap proposed by that clever little fellow, Oent boy,” observed Alexander, ”and, traveling in this country, worth his weight in gold”

”I wish Swinton would make him over to me,” said the Major; ”but, Alexander, do you observe what a change there is already in the country?”

”I do indeed,” replied Alexander; ”and all ahead of us it appears to be still more sterile and bare”