areless, he well knew was not really so. He himself would receive a
bullet in the brain without being able to lift a finger, and save for a
short stick he was unarmed. Reluctantly, therefore, he obeyed.

But even his authority hardly seemed to avail here. The guards, some
two score of stalwart and boisterous savages, continued to advance, but
with less demonstration of hostility, with less fell intent of purpose.
Finally, in compliance with the energetic signalling of the councillor,
they halted and began to parley.

The while the trek had not halted, and the two waggons already over the
ridge were proceeding down the rugged hillside with the utmost care and
deliberation. Suddenly Dawes beheld a quick, cunning expression of
triumph flit across the face of the hostage, and following the glance of
the latter, the curtain of despair descended in black folds once more
upon his heart.

For the _veldt_ was alive with warriors, swarming down from the ridge,
charging forward in silence, swift in deadly fixity of purpose. They
had already passed the cattle herds, and were making straight for
himself.

"Order them back, Sonkwana! Order them back!" cried Dawes again, this
time drawing his revolver and pointing it straight at the head of the
hostage.

But the latter saw his chance, or thought he did. Ducking his head
suddenly, he made a rapid plunge to the side, intending, so near were
his tribesmen, to fling himself into their ranks. The trader in his
flurry and dismay would be certain to miss his aim, he reckoned.

He reckoned without his host, however. Instead of the ball whistling
through empty air where his head had been but a moment before, Dawes's
eye, keen as a razor, quick as lightning, had marked the move. By a
sort of backward throw of the hand he covered the fleeing form of the
foolhardy Sonkwana, and pressed the trigger. The chief's councillor
toppled heavily forward on his face, and lay with outstretched arms. He
was stone dead.

What followed was appalling. The report of the pistol was completely
drowned in the wild roar of rage that went up. The first life had been
taken, and that life a valuable one.

"Stand back!" cried Dawes, his eyes flashing fire.

He might as well have tried to make his voice heard amid the thunder of
an Atlantic gale beating among the rocks of the Lizard, or have tried to
force back the power of its gigantic surges. His double gun levelled
low, he poured the contents