from a great distance like the
lightning, and no one can avoid it. They wear iron coats, and caps,
which turn aside the arrows and the assegais. They ride on horses too,
which are taught to fight like themselves. It is not equal. Let them
lay aside their coats and their tubes, and fight on foot like our
warriors, with clubs and assegais, and see who will conquer then."

"You know they are not likely to do that," returned the missionary; "but
that is nothing to the present matter. I wish to show you that if you
cannot stand before the Dutch, much less would you be able to face the
English, who are braver warriors, and better acquainted with war, than
even the Dutch."

"Ah, but the English have gone away," rejoined Chuma. "You try to
deceive me, but you cannot. The Dutch rule over the country again now.
The White Queen, who is a great magician, sent messengers to the English
chief not many months ago. But they came back and told her he was gone.
I know that, for Kama was in the Basuto kraal when they returned, and
heard their tale. She, I say, was a great magician, and they could not
have deceived her, even if they dared speak falsely."

"They did not speak falsely," said De Walden. "The English went away
three or four years ago, and have stayed in their own land until now.
But not many weeks ago they came back over the salt water, and have
again conquered the Dutch, and are masters of the land."

"Ah, the English again masters! We will not quarrel with the English.
We have seen them fight. But how do I know that they have come back?
How do I know that these persons are English, or that they have great
friends there?"

"You have my word," returned the other.

"Ah, but you deceive me in some matters, and may in others. I must have
proof of what you tell me before I let them go. But see here. Will
they give me their fire-tubes and their black powder as their ransom?
Then they may depart."

"They cannot do so," said the missionary. "If you deprive them of their
guide and their weapons, how can they find their way so many hundred
miles, and how provide themselves with food by the way? You must let
them take their guns; and, if you are resolved on compelling me to
remain here, you must furnish them with a guide. By him they will send
you back any ransom you may agree on."

"And when they get near the dwelling of their friends, they will send
their guide away empty-handed, or it may be they will kill