calu, you shall go with my driver, Fulani, and help to bring
them in. When you return this little looking-glass shall be yours. But
you will carry the `word' of your father, Sonkwana, the _induna_ of the
chief, that those who guard the oxen may know I require them."

The lad stared, as well he might. So, too, did Sonkwana. Indeed, it
was hard to say which was the more amazed of the two. As for the
trader's own people, such thorough confidence had they in him, that they
were astonished at nothing, in which spirit Fulani no sooner heard the
above order than he stood prepared to carry it out.

"Will you not ride out yourself and look at your cattle Jandosi, as you
have ever done before?" said the councillor.

"Not so, Sonkwana. This time they shall be brought to me. Give the boy
the `word,' _induna_ of the chief."

Sonkwana cast a sidelong glance toward the kraal, then looked slyly at
the speaker. What did it matter! Let him be humoured this once.

"Go," he said to the boy.

The hours of the afternoon crept on, and still Dawes sat there,
outwardly calm, inwardly in a state of indescribable suspense. By this
time, he was sure Gerard had got through, otherwise he would have been
brought back. Sonkwana, too, sat wondering. He would fain have
departed, but that his involuntary "host" never left him out of his
sight, and to undertake to cross several hundred yards of open ground
contrary to the wishes of a man who could hit a small pebble at almost
any distance with the rifle ever ready in his hand, was not in Zulu
human nature, at any rate, in cold blood. So in outward tranquillity
Sonkwana vied with his "host" aforesaid, and sat and took a great deal
of snuff.

More surprise, however, was awaiting both him and his clansmen. Towards
sundown, the trader's outspan became alive with the lowing of cattle and
the shout and whistle of those in charge. Then in the most
matter-of-fact way, John Dawes gave orders to inspan.

Prompt, intelligent, and as we have said, having every confidence in
their employer, the two drivers, Sintoba and Fulani, and their
well-trained subordinates, were quick to act. In an incredibly short
space of time, the waggons were ready for the road. But during the
process, Dawes had never left the side of the hostage.

The latter, for his part, looked with a kind of contemptuous amusement
upon the whole affair. Did this fool think he was going to walk off in
any such free and easy sor