ddle. On the other hand, if he were to shoot one or all of
them, would he not have human enemies to deal with scarcely less
formidable? And as though to bear out this idea, three tall,
savage-looking Zulus, armed with broad assegais, strode through the gate
towards him.

The wayfarer began to think he had got into a bad fix. He had six
revolver shots and a rifle bullet, as against three human and three
four-footed enemies, and the chances were all in favour of the latter,
out in the open like this, and mounted as he was on a lame horse. But
the natives began by calling off the dogs, which was reassuring; yet
they seemed to be barring his way, while talking to him volubly. Here
again he was in a quandary, for except for a word or two of ordinary use
he could understand no Zulu. There was one argument, however, which he
judged to appeal to all mankind, wherefore he produced a capacious
tobacco pouch.

But even that met with no response. The demeanour of the trio was the
reverse of friendly, and behind them the three great, evil-looking
brutes were stalking up and down, their hackles raised, and muttering
and growling, as though impatient for the word to spring upon the
stranger. Then after a consultation among themselves, one of the men
turned and went into the kraal again.

The wayfarer was nonplussed. It was obvious that they were incapable of
understanding each other, for even to signs they seemed impervious.

At last, however, the other man reappeared, and made it apparent, by
very unmistakable signs, that he should dismount and enter.

This he accordingly did, trying not to show the while that he was keenly
on his guard against treachery. They signed him to a hut, that he
should enter it. He crept through the low door way. The interior was
dark after the daylight outside, and he took a minute or two to get
accustomed to the semi-gloom. Then he realised that the place contained
one man, and he a European.

He was squatted on the floor, native fashion, smoking a pipe. He was an
old man apparently, for his hair and thick beard were white, yet the
face somehow did not seem quite to correspond. It looked younger, but
there was an expression in it which was very curious, one of mingled
melancholy and malevolence, at least so decided the stranger. But no
word or movement of welcome did he make towards the latter, who,
perforce, had to open the conversation.

"Well, this is very jolly," he began, "stu