ense and rock-strewn were the
approaches; and, indeed, all such were under the observation of small
outpost kraals, which served the purposes of pickets.

I gathered that these refugees were counted by hundreds. They were of
all ages, from quite old men down to boys. Most of them, however, were
middle-aged men in their prime; but whether the fact of being refugees
kept them ever on the alert, all had a quick, ready, and fearless look,
together with fine and well-knit frames, that stamped them as a warrior
clan of no contemptible strength. And to Sifadu all seemed to look up
as to a recognised chief.

Of this Sifadu I knew not quite what to make. He was friendly at first,
but as time went by he seemed to look at me with jealous and suspicious
eyes, as though he thought that a man of my standing and prowess would
hardly be content with the position of one among many, wherein he was
right, perhaps. Of one thing, however, I was certain. Did I or any
other man desire the chieftainship of these outlaws Sifadu would first
have to be dead.

For the present, however, I had no such thoughts. I was content to
dwell quietly and unmolested, and await the turn events might take. So,
as time went by, I seemed to have become as one of the Bapongqolo.
Together we hunted the wild game of the forest--together we made
descents in search of plunder into the Swazi country or the lands of the
Amatonga, or levied tribute from the kraals lying beyond the outskirts
of our own fastnesses; and so feared were we that none thought of
resistance or retaliation.

"Of a truth, Untuswa, the day might come when Dingane himself would be
glad to join us," said Sifadu to me, as we were returning from one of
these forays. "With our help, even we might save him his seat. Then
should we not be among the highest of the nation? Then would there not
be some who might groan aloud because the son of Kona had returned?"

Such a thought as this had been in my own mind, but I desired not to
foster it in that of others, at least, not until I had determined upon
my own plans; so to Sifadu I replied lightly on the matter, treating it
as of no importance.

Lalusini had kept her word, and twice had arranged that we should meet
and hold long converse together. But on the second of these occasions
her news was great. The Amabuna had crossed the Tugela in great force,
intending to march upon Nkunkundhlovu. There had been a tremendous
battle, but the army