Part 14 (2/2)

As soon as theplaced round the camp, and careful watches, to keep a look-out on the oxen, the rest of the party lay doith their ar, as soon as there was sufficient daylight to enable them to see their way clearly Scarcely had Lionel, with his young companions, placed their heads on the saddles or rolls of cloth which served the of the antics they had seen played by Umbulazi's dusky warriors on the previous day Even the howls of the hyenas and jackals failed to disturb the of a lion, which came up close to the camp, and made most of the Kaffir servants start to their feet

Before daylight, Hendricks, whoue, was on foot, when he quickly aroused his followers Being in a hurry to set off, he did not wait for breakfast, but ordered the horses to be saddled and the oxen to be inspanned, and the on, the journey was commenced, just as the first streaks of day appeared over the distant hills The road ell known, or it would have been difficult to find it in the glooht enough and to spare, as well as more heat than was pleasant, especially in the opinion of the young English travellers Moving on for soe of the plateau, or rather to a broad valley which ran across it As they gazed down from their elevated position, it appeared sprinkled with clu up frohtful for a gallop!” exclaimed Crawford, as they halted for a short tion wheels

”Wait until we get down to it,” observed Hendricks, laughing ”We shall find that seeh as our waists”

Such indeed was proved to be the case, although the oxen h it

”Look out for snakes!” cried Denis ”I saw a big felloriggling through the grass just now He seemed more afraid of us than we need be of him; only remember, Crawford, that you don't step upon one, if you can help it”

No accident, however, happened, and the waggon in a short tiht Some further distance had to be traversed before water was reached, when the travellers outspanned for theirmeal, as also to afford the oxen rest after the toils they had gone through

The travellers had but re fare, as no meat had as yet been obtained, but mealy cakes and bowls of tea were sufficient to satisfy their hunger for the present Scarcely had they begun breakfast, however, when Uht elevation in the neighbourhood, ca back with the report that he had seen in the far distance a herd of buffaloes, and he proposed setting out immediately to shoot soolo, with two other Kaffir hunters, accompanied by Crawford and the three lads, set off on foot, hoping to bring back a sufficient supply of meat, not only for present consu The party first ht take a look over the country, and observe the direction in which the buffaloes were , so as to approach the herd on the lee side, and thus avoid being discovered by the keen-scented aniht was a wood, towards which the herd was travelling for shade and rest; but as the wind blew from where the hunters then were towards the wood, it was necessary tocircuit before they could approach froht and pure was the at The buffaloes, which were in reality miles away, appeared so near that Crawford and Percy, ere less accustomed to the country than the rest of the party, fancied that they should be up to them in a quarter of an hour or less As it was, they had a weary tra down on their heads with intense force until they reached a wooded part of the country, where they enjoyed soled roots and creepers, they were coress than before

”Silence now, lads,” said Hendricks, ”no talking: weyou for the sake of giving you a lesson Reht down a beast, but then you can exercise your skill”

Saying this, he and Uolo set off, followed by the rest of the party, who i dohen they had to cross an open space where they were exposed to view They could catch glirass as they went, an old bull acting as their leader and guardian At length a spot which afforded shelter and concealolo searched round carefully, lest it should prove that a lion or soht spring out upon them

Satisfied on that point, directed by Hendricks, they took up their positions, and then co forward as noiselessly as mice

Presently Hendricks pointed in front, andaside soreatest caution, the whole herd was seen,down, and several snoring away, enjoying their noonday siesta The old bull, the leader of the herd, stood, however, looking out, as if suspecting danger, yet perhaps not sufficiently satisfied that it was near to warn his coot within ten or a dozen yards of hiolo had crept up to about the saer hunters had each selected an ani

Presently Hendricks, as kneeling, raised his rifle, and a loud report was heard Alolo fired, when the rest of the party, deeht fit, discharged their rifles As soon as the sround, while the rest of the herd were scaht across the plain One fell before they had got far, showing that two of the younger hunters had fired with effect; but which had been the successful shot, neither of theh each claiolo, followed by the other Kaffirs, sprang forward, eager to cut up the carcases Hendricks had ordered two of theup the horses by a direct path to carry back theloaded with the more valuable portions of the slain buffaloes, the whole party set off to return in triumph with the spoils of the chase They were scarcely out of the wood, when suddenly, frorass, a hundred Kaffirs, with assegais in hand, which they shook as if about to hurl the up, and almost completely surrounded them

”We're in a fearful predica round he saw no ood-bye, Denis I suppose these black felloill run us through with their ugly-looking spears before many minutes are over”

”Sure, I hope they'll not be after doing anything of the sort,” said Denis; ”they're only quivering thehten us”

”I don't like their looks,” said Lionel; ”but I hope, as many of them know Hendricks, they don't intend to kill us”

”Whattowards the nearest

”We are friends of the Zulus, and desire to traverse their country in peace You knowyou”

”Yes, we know you well,” said a chief, stepping forward

”We have no desire to injure you or your companions; but you must accompany us to our Prince Cetchwayo, who desires to see you It is known that you have been at the camp of Umbulazi, and he wishes to know the object which took you there”

”I went there from necessity, to rescue some of my folloho had beennot a er with Umbulazi than I was compelled to do”

”The prince will hear what you have to say, and will act according to his judgment,” said the chief ”Yield yourselves as prisoners”

”If you insist on our going, we have no choice in the e band of savage warriors which had surprised theive, that we are friends to Cetchwayo, and are sih his country, will satisfy him”