ht, except in the centre. There was but one opening, through
which they had been compelled to creep, and this was closed by one of
their guards sitting down before it, with his knees drawn up to his
chin, the only light and air they enjoyed being admitted through the
small space above his shoulders.

"It isn't altogether pleasant to be shut up like rats in a trap," said
Denis, as he surveyed the hut; "but it might have been worse if a party
of Kaffirs had slept in it last night. As far as I can judge it hasn't
been occupied before."

"If it had, there would have been mats and bundles of grass," observed
Lionel; "whereas we shall have nothing but the bare ground to lie on."

"As the ground appears to be perfectly dry, we need not complain of
that," observed Percy, "I only hope that the chief will let us go in the
morning."

"There's very little chance of that," said Denis. "He intends that we
should be of some use to him, or he would not have sent his people to
capture us. I wonder whether he will send us some food."

"I can't say I feel very hungry," observed Percy. "It is fortunate that
we took a good dinner."

They waited and waited, expecting that Umbulazi would think of them, but
no food was brought. At last Denis spoke to their Kaffir guard, saying
that they were very hungry, and would be much obliged if he would obtain
some provisions; but no answer was returned to his request.

"I believe the fellow is asleep," said Lionel. "Yes! listen, I can hear
him snoring. I see his head nodding through the opening. If that's the
way he keeps guard, I think I can play him a trick; and the chances are
the rest of the fellows are asleep also. It is now nearly dark outside.
In a little time the whole camp will have lain down. We could easily
make a hole under the wall of the hut, large enough for me to creep
through, and once outside, if the guards don't catch me, I could find my
way to where the horses are feeding."

"A capital idea," said Denis. "I don't think there will be much
difficulty in carrying it out."

"But you would run a fearful risk of having an assegai sent through you
if you were discovered," exclaimed Percy. "For your own sake I had much
rather you did not make the attempt."

"I am not afraid of that," answered Lionel. "I'll take good care not to
be caught. I know the ways of the people, where they are likely to be
sleeping, and where their guards are posted. The chances are they will