Denis and Percy, taking advantage of the excitement which the arrival of
Hendricks and his party caused among the Zulu warriors, rushed out from
their midst, and before any one could stop them, they darted away in the
direction their friends were coming. Lionel, who was among the first to
see them, uttering a shout of joy, galloped forward, followed by
Crawford.
"Jump up behind me," he cried to Denis, stretching out his hand. "We
possibly may have to run for it, if Hendricks and Umbulazi don't agree."
Percy at the same moment sprang up behind Crawford, while Hendricks,
ordering his party to halt, rode forward alone towards the prince,
keeping however his horse well in hand, and his rifle ready for instant
use.
"I come to salute you, Umbulazi, and to ask you why you detained my
young companions; but as they have been restored to me I will not enter
into that subject," he said, drawing up at such a distance that he
might, without difficulty extricate himself should it be necessary.
"Do you come as a friend or a foe?" asked the prince.
"I come as a friend, for such I am to all the Zulu people," answered
Hendricks.
"Well, as a friend I invite you to dismount and partake of a feast which
will speedily be prepared to do you honour," said the prince.
"I cannot at present delay my journey," answered Hendricks, who, his
keen eye having observed the expression on the countenances of several
of the chiefs, greatly doubted the sincerity of the prince. He also
recollected the treacherous way in which a large body of boers had been
massacred a few years before by a relative of this very man, having been
beguiled by a similar invitation.
Again, however, the prince pressed him, assuming so courteous an air,
that he was almost persuaded to yield, when the old prophetess,
disappointed at not seeing the boys put to death, came whirling up,
shaking her rattle and waving her wand, and crying out to her
countrymen, "Beware of the strangers! Beware of the people with pale
faces! They are no friends of the Zulus. Now you have them in your
power, kill them! kill them all!"
Mangaleesu on hearing this cried out to Umbulazi, "Be not deceived by
her. The white men wish to be friends with the Zulus. Harm them not.
If injury is done them, the Zulus will be the sufferers."
Hendricks, who of course understood all that was said, saw that it would
be the height of folly to put himself in the power of Umbulazi and his
followers, and therefore, thanking Mangaleesu, whom he now recognised,
for his good intentions, replied to the prince's invitation, that his
mission being accomplished, he and his party must take their departure.
He was anxious for another reason to get clear of them as soon as
possible; for, knowing the jealousy which existed between Umbulazi and
Cetchwayo, he felt convinced that the former was about to make war on
his more favoured brother, and would very likely try to detain him and
his people for the purpose of compelling them to fight on his side. He
therefore, uttering an "Usaleke," the usual Kaffir salutation at
leaving, turned his horse's head and rode back to his companions.
"Keep ready for a start," he said; "for although we have one friend
among them, I cannot depend upon the rest. Show no hurry until I give
the word."
They rode on slowly, Hendricks ordering the rest of the party to go on
ahead, while he brought up the rear. He had got to a short distance
when Mangaleesu was heard shouting--
"Go on, go on! they try kill! No time lose!"
These words, spoken in English, were mixed up with Kaffir expressions,
hurling abuse at their heads, evidently for the purpose of deceiving his
countrymen.
Hendricks inwardly thanked Mangaleesu for the warning he had given;
still he knew that it was important not to exhibit the slightest alarm,
as by so doing he should only the more speedily tempt the Kaffirs to
follow. The old witch, now finding that her intended victims were
likely to escape her, or rather, that her traitorous plan for committing
Umbulazi with the English--for such there can be no doubt she
entertained--was a failure, shrieked out to the warriors--
"What! are you going to let the dogs escape? Come on! come on! we shall
be even now in time to overtake them. Never mind what Umbulazi says.
He will thank you for destroying his enemies."
At this time she was some distance from the prince, so that her remarks
were not heard by him, and no one would have ventured to repeat them.
Several of the chiefs had already been influenced by her, and a large
number of the men, excited by her denunciations against the hunter and
his party, uttering loud shouts, rushed forward with their assegais
quivering in their hands, bent on their destruction.
Hendricks, who had been carefully noting what was occurring among the
people, even before they made an onward movement, knew what was about to
happen. He now saw that not a moment was to be lost.
"On, on, my lads!" he shouted; "keep straight ahead up the hill."
Crawford, who had gone ahead, with Denis behind him, dug his spurs into
his horse's flanks. Lionel and Percy followed close to him. The rest
of the party were not far behind. Hendricks brought up the rear,
keeping his rifle ready to shoot down any warrior with a fast pair of
heels who should come near enough to hurl his assegai. When once he had
got a good start, he had no doubt about keeping well ahead. But the
hill had to be surmounted, when the men on foot would have the advantage
of the horses. He turned for a moment to take a glance at his pursuers.
Excited to fury by the howls and shrieks of the old hag, they were
exerting every muscle of their lithe bodies to spring over the ground,
and were coming on at a rapid rate. The well-trained steeds bravely
pressed up the hill, as if they were perfectly aware of the threatened
danger. Several of the Zulus had already got up to within fifty yards
of the fugitives. A couple of assegais came whistling through the air,
but they fell short of Hendricks, who now urging on his horse, made the
animal spring ahead. The rest of the party were by this time almost on
level ground. A few more bounds, and they were on the brow. There was
now no probability that the Zulus would overtake them. Hendricks might
have punished their pursuers by shooting down one or more, but he had no
desire to kill any one, and the extreme danger passed he rode on to the
head of his party. Still he could not venture to slacken his speed, for
before them was another valley with a good deal of rough ground, and
some of the more active Zulus might even now approach near enough to
hurl their assegais. The desire he felt to avoid bloodshed made him
still more anxious to keep ahead; for he and his companions might
otherwise, by halting, have received their pursuers with a fire which
would effectually have stopped their career. It was satisfactory to
know that the Zulus had no horses, for none had been observed in or
about the camp, so that when once they had got well ahead there was no
risk of being overtaken.
What all this time had become of Gozo? Denis and Percy had not seen him
during the morning, nor had he made his appearance after Hendricks'
arrival at the camp. It was hoped therefore that he had escaped,
although it was too possible that he had been put to death by the Zulus.
As the party gained the brow of the slope which led down to the next
valley, they saw below a herd of cattle, among which were several horses
feeding, attended by a few Zulus.
"The chances are our horses are among them," cried Denis, as they rode
down the slope; "yes, yes, I see them! I am sure they are ours; and,
hurrah, there too is old Gozo safe and sound. He has caught sight of
us, and, depend on it, is planning how he can best get clear of those
fellows near him."
"You are right," said Hendricks, and he shouted his follower's name.
The herdsmen, thinking the strangers were about to make a raid on their
cattle, began to drive them off, on which Gozo, throwing himself on the
back of one of the horses, caught the two others, and galloped on to
join his friends. Some of the herdsmen, seeing what he was doing,
hurled their assegais at him; but, experienced hunter as he was, he
avoided them by bending down over the neck of his horse, and escaped.
He was quickly up to his friends.
"Hurrah! here he comes," said Denis. "I will relieve you, Crawford, and
mount my animal."
"But he has no saddle," said Crawford.
"Oh, never mind that; I've ridden many a mile without one; and your
horse will go all the faster for not having my weight on his back,"
answered Denis, as he threw himself off and quickly mounted one of the
horses Gozo brought up.
No time was lost in asking Gozo questions. Lionel, who was as well
accustomed to ride without a saddle as was Denis, at once climbed up on
the back of his own horse.
Again the party set off, allowing the herdsmen to escape with their
cattle; and looking back, they saw the Zulus in considerable numbers on
the top of the hill they had just crossed; but the slope on the opposite
side was not very steep, and pushing on they gained the summit before
their pursuers had reached the bottom of the valley. Waving an ironical
farewell, they galloped forward. Still it was prudent not to pull rein
as yet, and on they went at a rate which soon carried them far out of
reach of their enemies.
"I wish that Mangaleesu had not joined Umbulazi; for though the prince
fancies he will succeed, there is every probability that he will be
defeated, as, besides being supported by the king, Cetchwayo has by far
the larger number of people with him," said Hendricks, addressing
Crawford. "Had I found an opportunity, I would have spoken to
Mangaleesu on the subject, and urged him to retreat while there was
time."
While the two elders of the party were conversing as they rode on
together, the three boys were galloping alongside each other and
exchanging remarks in somewhat disjointed sentences, as people are wont
to do when going at a fast rate on horseback, especially if their steeds
are without saddles, as was the case in the present instance with two of
the lads.
"I cannot tell you how glad I was to see you come back with Hendricks,
for I was much afraid that you had been caught by the Zulus and killed,"
said Percy, turning to Lionel. "How did you manage to escape?"
"It was not so difficult as you might have supposed," answered Lionel.
"When I got out of the hut, I crept along, keeping as much as possible
under the shadow of bushes and rocks. If I heard the slightest sound, I
stopped and lay flat on the ground, just as the Zulus do when
approaching an enemy or trying to escape. The guards were off guard,
supposing, I fancy, that none of Cetchwayo's people were near enough to
reach the camp. I saw two or three in the distance, but none came in my
way. My chief fear was that I might fall in with a prowling lion or
leopard, or encounter a snake of some sort crawling along. I did not,
however, allow myself to be troubled about such matters, I only thought
how I had best act should I meet with either of them. On and on I went;
but it was somewhat fatiguing work, as I could never venture to stand
upright, and had generally to make my way on all-fours, although
sometimes I ran on my feet, bending low down; but even in that position
I could not run fast. I at last reached the side of the hill up which I
had to climb. There were several open parts, where, had the Zulus been
keeping a bright look-out, I must have been seen, although they might
have taken me for a jackal or a lion. I crawled along as fast as I
could, not stopping even to look behind me, until I reached the brow of
the hill. On getting to the other side I saw a number of cattle, with
several horses among them, cropping the grass. Before I could venture
on I had to try and ascertain whereabouts the men herding the cattle had
posted themselves. I was pretty sure that they would be under shelter
somewhere, and as the night wind was chilly, they would be either seated
beneath the rocks, or would have built themselves huts of boughs. I
feared that if by chance I should creep near one of them, I might be
seen, when the fellow would to a certainty hurl his assegai at me, as he
would take me for a wild beast of some sort. At last, unable to
discover any one, I crawled down the hill, prepared at any moment to
take to my heels, should I be discovered. No sound reached my ears, and
I at length found myself close to several horses. As they were not
alarmed, I guessed that they were our own, which the Zulus had taken
from us. I knew that my beast would come to me, as I had taught him to
do, could I venture to call him. I whistled low. I saw one of the
horses lift his head. I could just distinguish him against the sky. As
I lay on the ground, I whistled again, and he began to move towards me.
The third time I whistled louder than the first, when, to my infinite
satisfaction, he trotted up. He had the rope bridle still round his
neck. Slipping it into his mouth, so as to be able to guide him, I
grasped his mane and leapt upon his back. Just as I reached it and
found myself firmly seated, I heard a shout, and looking round, caught
sight of a Zulu rushing out from beneath a thick bush, where he had
ensconced himself. I did not stop to inquire what he wanted, but urging
on my animal with my voice and heels, I galloped off across the country.
I was breasting the opposite hill when several other Zulus joined the
first. Whether, even then, they had made out that there was anybody on
the back of the horse, I was not certain. I think they did not; for, as
I bent low down, they might have supposed that the animal had been
suddenly seized with a desire to return to its former companions, and
that the others would probably follow, which of course they wished to
prevent them from doing. When once I was on the top of the hill, I knew
that there was little chance of the Zulus overtaking me. I galloped
forward, soon getting beyond the sound of their voices, while I knew
that they could not distinguish even the clatter of my horse's hoofs at
the distance I was already from them. I had a long ride before me; but
as my horse was fresh, and had had a good feed, I had no doubt that I
could accomplish it. I guessed, more or less, the direction of our
camp, and hoped that I was steering a straight course by the stars,
which shone brightly. My steed fortunately could see his way better
than I could, or I should often have been greatly puzzled. At last the
moon rose. Although it dimmed the stars, it afforded more light, and
enabled me to see the outline of the hills, by which I knew that I was
going right. I was galloping along, when my horse started and began to
tremble. Presently a loud roar saluted my ears. Looking ahead, I saw,
to my dismay, a lion just emerging from a thicket. Had I had my rifle,
I would have tried to shoot the brute. To gallop either to the one side
or the other would have been madness, as the lion would have been up to
me in a few bounds; for, heavy as the creature looks, he can, I assure
you, move for a short distance faster than the fleetest horse. Could I
have induced my steed to move forward, I would have ridden at the lion,
taking care, you may be sure, not to get within range of his paws; but
the poor animal, trembling with fear, stood stock still. At first I was
not quite certain that the lion was looking at me. Presently, however,
he roared again. In return I shouted at the top of my voice. This
seemed to encourage my horse, and patting him on the neck, I tried to
soothe him and get him to advance a few paces. I was in a very
dangerous predicament, I knew, but I did not despair. Presently I saw a
pack of jackals run by, with a lioness at their heels, when the lion
turned and joined her. From this I knew that he must have killed a
deer, or some other large animal, and had been calling to his mate, and
that his roaring was to keep the jackals away. People often declare
that the jackals are the lion's providers; but such is all nonsense. I
did not stop, you may be sure, to see how either the lions or jackals
were employed, but rode on as fast as I could out of their way. I was
not certain of the distance I had gone, and was very doubtful whether I
should hit the camp. I was afraid that I had passed it, and should
suddenly find myself in front of some kraal, whose inhabitants might not
be amiably disposed. Still it would not do to stand still. It at last
appeared to me that my horse had a strong inclination to move to the
right, and on reaching the summit of a hill I caught sight of two fires
in the distance. I rode towards them, feeling sure that they were at
our camp. As I approached, I shouted at the top of my voice. In an
instant all the dogs came out barking, followed immediately, to my great
satisfaction, by Hendricks himself on horseback.
"`I was just setting off to look for you boys, for I feared some
accident had happened,' he exclaimed. `Where are the rest?'
"I told him.
"`You must have some food while I make arrangements for our expedition,'
he observed.
"Very glad I was, I can tell you, to get something to eat. Meantime he
sent for Umgolo, and directed him to order as many men as could be
spared to get ready. He wanted me to stay behind, but I begged to
accompany him, though I asked for a fresh horse, which was likely to
carry me better than my own after his hard gallop."
By the time Lionel had finished his account, the party had come in sight
of the camp, where they were welcomed by the men in charge, who, having
heard reports of the approach of Umbulazi's forces to attack Cetchwayo,
feared that they might have been detained if not cut off. The fires
were made up, and the remainder of a buffalo killed in the morning was
quickly cooked to satisfy the hunger of the party Hendricks had taken
with him, as they had had nothing to eat since they left the camp in the
morning. They had, unfortunately, no other meat; and it was necessary,
before they could proceed to any distance, to obtain a further supply.
Still Hendricks was anxious, as quickly as possible, to get out from
between the two contending forces, one of which was on his right hand
and the other on his left.
As soon as the meal was over, sentries being placed round the camp, and
careful watches, to keep a look-out on the oxen, the rest of the party
lay down with their arms by their sides, ready to start in the morning,
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 them as pillows,
than they were fast asleep, dreaming 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 them, nor did the roaring of a
lion, which came up close to the camp, and made most of the Kaffir
servants start to their feet.
Before daylight, Hendricks, whom no exertion could fatigue, 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 men taking their accustomed places on each
side of the waggon, the journey was commenced, just as the first streaks
of day appeared over the distant hills. The road was well known, or it
would have been difficult to find it in the gloom of morning; but as
soon as the sun rose, there was light enough and to spare, as well as
more heat than was pleasant, especially in the opinion of the young
English travellers. Moving on for some miles, they came to the edge 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
clumps of mimosa of various sizes, springing up from a sward of soft
green grass.
"That will be delightful for a gallop!" exclaimed Crawford, as they
halted for a short time to secure the drags to the waggon wheels.
"Wait until we get down to it," observed Hendricks, laughing. "We shall
find that seeming sward a tangled network of long coarse grass, as high
as our waists."
Such indeed was proved to be the case, although the oxen managed to
tramp through it.
"Look out for snakes!" cried Denis. "I saw a big fellow wriggling
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 time was
ascending the opposite height. Some further distance had to be
traversed before water was reached, when the travellers outspanned for
their morning meal, as also to afford the oxen rest after the toils they
had gone through.
The travellers had but meagre 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
Umgolo, who had gone to the top of a slight elevation in the
neighbourhood, came hurrying back with the report that he had seen in
the far distance a herd of buffaloes, and he proposed setting out
immediately to shoot some. The meal was therefore hurried over, and
Hendricks and Umgolo, 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 consumption, but to turn
into beltong. The party first made for the hill, that they might take a
look over the country, and observe the direction in which the buffaloes
were moving, as also the quarter from whence the wind was blowing, so as
to approach the herd on the lee side, and thus avoid being discovered by
the keen-scented animals.
Far off to the right 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 to make a long circuit before
they could approach from the desired quarter. So bright and pure was
the atmosphere, that distances seemed almost as nothing. The buffaloes,
which were in reality miles away, appeared so near that Crawford and
Percy, who were 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 tramp, the sun beating down on their
heads with intense force until they reached a wooded part of the
country, where they enjoyed some shade; but owing to the tangled roots
and creepers, they were compelled to make even slower progress than
before.
"Silence now, lads," said Hendricks, "no talking: we must creep up, and
not let our footfalls be heard. I bring you for the sake of giving you
a lesson. Remember, none of you are to fire until Umgolo and I have
brought down a beast, but then you can exercise your skill."
Saying this, he and Umgolo set off, followed by the rest of the party,
who imitated their example, stepping cautiously, and stooping down when
they had to cross an open space where they were exposed to view. They
could catch glimpses of the buffaloes moving slowly along, cropping the
grass as they went, an old bull acting as their leader and guardian. At
length a spot which afforded shelter and concealment was reached inside
the wood. Hendricks and Umgolo searched round carefully, lest it should
prove that a lion or some other savage animal had made its lair
thereabouts, and might spring out upon them.
Satisfied on that point, directed by Hendricks, they took up their
positions, and then commenced creeping forward as noiselessly as mice.
Presently Hendricks pointed in front, and made a signal to prepare for
instant action. By moving aside some of the boughs with the greatest
caution, the whole herd was seen, magnificent-looking fellows, some
standing, others lying 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 companions. Hendricks had got
within ten or a dozen yards of him; Umgolo had crept up to about the
same distance from another fine-looking brute. The younger hunters had
each selected an animal, but, obeying orders, refrained from firing.
Presently Hendricks, who was kneeling, raised his rifle, and a loud
report was heard. Almost at the same instant Umgolo fired, when the
rest of the party, deeming themselves at liberty to act as they thought
fit, discharged their rifles. As soon as the smoke had cleared away,
three fine animals were seen on the ground, while the rest of the herd
were scampering off in full flight 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 them could be
very certain, though each claimed the honour.
Umgolo, followed by the other Kaffirs, sprang forward, eager to cut up
the carcases. Hendricks had ordered two of the men left in camp to
bring up the horses by a direct path to carry back the meat. They soon
arrived, and the animals being loaded 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, from behind the bushes and tall grass, a hundred Kaffirs, with
assegais in hand, which they shook as if about to hurl them at the
hunters, sprang up, and almost completely surrounded them.
"We're in a fearful predicament," exclaimed Percy, as looking round he
saw no means of escape. "Good-bye, Lionel, good-bye, Denis. I suppose
these black fellows will 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 them just now to frighten 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."
"What means this?" exclaimed Hendricks, advancing towards the nearest.
"We are friends of the Zulus, and desire to traverse their country in
peace. You know me; I have often been among you."
"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 followers who had
been made prisoners. I succeeded, and carried them off, tarrying not a
moment longer 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 matter," said
Hendricks, looking round at the large band of savage warriors which had
surprised them. "But perhaps the assurance I give, that we are friends
to Cetchwayo, and are simply travelling through his country, will
satisfy him."
"The prince wishes to see the great hunter face to face," answered the
chief; "and he and his followers, with his waggon and cattle, will
accompany us forthwith. The word has been spoken. The order must be
obeyed."
"We must submit to these fellows," said Hendricks, turning to his
English companions. "But load your rifles, and be prepared to act as I
may direct you, though there is, I fear, but little chance of making our
escape."
The Zulus had now gathered closely round their prisoners, whom, however,
they did not ill-treat, but allowed them to walk as they liked.
"I fear that my people in the camp, when they see you coming, will take
to flight," said Hendricks to the chief. "Let me go on first, and I
will tell them that you come as friends. Will you trust me?"
The chief looked at him. "Yes," he said, "I know that I can trust the
word of a white chief, and you may go forward."
"Halt here, then, for a few minutes, to give me time to get ahead of
you," said Hendricks, "and I will trust you also with my people, that
you will not injure them."
The chief, on this, ordered his followers to halt, while Hendricks went
on with rapid strides towards the camp. On his arrival, he found his
people in a state of great consternation, they having just caught sight
of the Zulus, and they confessed that in another minute they would have
fled, believing that he and those with him had been killed.
He managed, however, to quell their fears by the assurance that
Cetchwayo would not injure them, though he might delay their journey.
This was of greater consequence to him than to them. In a short time
the Zulus were seen advancing. On their arrival, the chief told
Hendricks that he must at once inspan and proceed towards Cetchwayo's
camp, which was much nearer than had been supposed. On Hendricks,
however, representing to him that he and his people had been without
meat the whole day, the chief consented to their waiting until some had
been cooked, observing that he would take charge of the remainder. He
did so, by dividing it among his followers, who forthwith lighted
several fires, and cooking it after their barbarous fashion, quickly ate
the whole of it up, scarcely leaving a few scraps for the hungry dogs.
This was not a little provoking to the hunters, but it allowed them some
time to rest and recover from the fatigue they all felt.
As soon as the feast was over, Hendricks gave the word to inspan. The
chief somewhat demurred on seeing his prisoners preparing to mount their
horses, naturally fearing that they would try to make their escape, but
on Hendricks assuring him that they would accompany him to Cetchwayo's
camp, he consented to their riding, though he took good care so to place
his people on either side, that they would have found it a difficult
matter to get off, even had they been so disposed.