it were with the rumble of
an earthquake. Then the whole mighty mass moved forward in line, and
the light of gushing flames gleamed redly on assegai blades as the
foremost warriors went through the pantomime of striking down an
imaginary foe. Up and down the great open space this was repeated
several times, the rear ranks manoeuvring so as to change places with
the first and get their turn, in a way that was scarcely perceptible.
But--what was this?

For now, behind the surging mass of fantastically arrayed warriors, came
a file of women. Each was armed with a tough knob-kerrie, and beat on
the ground with a vicious whack now and then during the advance. They
were finishing off the wounded after a battle.

For upwards of an hour Dick Selmes lay, witnessing this weird but
striking and dramatic scene, in a state of mind little short of
entrancement. There was a fascination about it that made him long to
rush down the hill and shout and stamp with the rest. No wonder they
wanted a strong Police camp in the neighbourhood, he thought, if this
sort of thing was going on all over Kafirland; and it struck him
uneasily what a mouthful their own particular camp might prove if these
and a few more were to hurl themselves upon it while in that state of
frenzy. The thought of the camp suggested that it might be high time to
think of getting back there.

"Well, I've seen something to-night, and no mistake," he said to
himself. "My hat! but I'll have the grin over Greenoak and old Chambers
to-morrow."

The flame of the fires blazed up higher than ever. As he turned to
carry out his intention, he found his way barred, and that by a line of
ochre-smeared, brawny savages. He marked the cruel sneer on each broad,
dark face, the gleam of uplifted blades, and then realised his utter
helplessness. For, fearing to wake Harley Greenoak, who would certainly
have prevented his mad trip, he had refrained from going into the hut to
fetch his revolver. Now he was totally unarmed.

With quick ejaculations the Kafirs hurried forward, some in crouching
attitude, like cats advancing on their prey, others erect, but all with
eyes fixed warily upon him, for they expected him to draw a pistol.
Then they scattered, spreading out so that some should steal above and
behind him.

In that moment Dick Selmes knew what it was to feel that his last hour
had come. He had no knowledge of the language, so could not try the
effect of parley. So