cliff of earth about six times
the height of a man, over which they hung in a thick tangle. Quickly I
gained this point, and peering through, this is what I saw:

Right underneath was a stony space, between the base of the cliff and
the flowing of the broad swift current, and this space was full of armed
men.

They were our own people. I knew most of them by sight. But one among
them was not armed, and at that moment several of them were engaged in
binding the wrists of this one, far apart, to the ends of a pole. Then
the man was stretched upon his back, two or three of them grasping the
centre of the pole, and thus drawing his arms high above his head. His
feet had already been treated in like fashion. And in this man, thus
made ready for I knew too well what, I recognised my slave and faithful
follower, Jambula.

Over him now was bending the leader of the _impi_, speaking in a stern,
decisive tone.

"Say now, thou dog, where lies hidden thy master, or I rip thee as thou
liest." And the broad assegai quivered in the speaker's hand.

"Does ever a dog betray his master?" was the sullen reply. "A man may,
but a dog, never."

"How does _that_ feel, and that, and that?" snarled the leader, bringing
his blade down to the broad breast of the Xosa, and inflicting two or
three deep gashes. "Ha! It will be through thee directly."

I knew this man well. He was a brave enough fighter, but a sub-chief of
small account, and not one of my own following. Could he capture me his
fame would be assured. But he had that yet to do.

"Oh, good for thee, Sivuma," I growled to myself. "Thou shalt feed the
alligators for this when my day comes."

Seeing that Jambula was not to be frightened thus, Sivuma signed to the
others. Well I knew what should follow. From a small fire which had
been kindled among the stones they brought an assegai, whose blade had
been heated red-hot. This was placed against the inner part of
Jambula's thigh. I could hear the hiss of the burning flesh, but the
brave Xosa never winced.

For long was the hot iron thus held, and when it began to cool another
was brought from the fire. The perspiration poured from Jambula's face,
and his teeth were set with agony; but beyond a quiver of the limbs,
which he could not control, he quailed not, nor did he speak.

"Well, dog?" at last cried Sivuma furiously. "Where is thy master?"

"Not from me will that news come, leader of Umzilikazi's hunting