On this Captain Broderick ordered one of the Hottentots to bring out the
animal from a shed at a short distance off. The Hottentot obeyed the
order with evident unwillingness; indeed, the poor animal seemed to
know, by the way it walked, the fate prepared for it. As it approached,
the Zulus rushed forward to seize it, for they considered it rather
gained by their own prowess than as a gift.
"We take the heifer because we want food; but understand, we do not
abandon the right of search for the fugitives who have rebelled and
deserve death," said the chief, turning to Captain Broderick.
Having thus delivered himself, he stalked off with his followers to the
bank of the river, when, plunging in, they waded and swam across the
stream, driving the heifer before them.
Rupert hurried down to watch them. They went on for some distance to a
sheltered spot under the hill, where shortly a fire was seen blazing up,
evidently for the purpose of cooking the heifer. As it continued
burning brightly for some time after darkness had set in, there was no
doubt that the Zulus were enjoying themselves, and intended to remain
there till the morning. Captain Broderick was too well accustomed to
Kaffir warfare to trust to them, and thinking it possible that they
might attempt to surprise the farm during the night, he kept a vigilant
watch, and ordered his little force to remain under arms until it was
ascertained to a certainty that they had taken their departure from the
neighbourhood.