the country, so that none will be left to oppose
me."

"I have not seen Cetchwayo's army, so that I cannot reply to that
remark," answered Denis. "What is in the future no man can tell."

"Ah! but I have engaged a famous enchantress who knows all things that
are going to happen. She is to come to me this morning, having spent
the night in looking into the future, and will tell me what is to be my
fate, whether I shall be defeated or gain the victory and become king of
the Zulus."

"If you become king of the country, you will wish to be friends with the
English, as Panda is. Now it strikes me, the best way to show your
friendly intentions is to treat well those who fall into your power. I
hope therefore, after we have had some breakfast, that you will restore
us our rifles and horses, and allow us to return to those who are
waiting for us."

"Go back to your hut, and wait until I send for you!" answered Umbulazi,
making a grimace from which Denis drew no favourable augury. He thought
it wise to obey.

"What news?" asked Percy, as he entered.

"One certain piece of news is that Lionel got off safe; but what the
chief intends doing with us is more than I can say. I hope he will send
us some breakfast; if not, we must forage for ourselves. The fellows
down there will soon have their meat cooked and their mealy cakes baked.
Before they have eaten them all up I will go down to one of the fires
and claim a portion."

They waited for some time.

"I can stand this no longer!" cried Denis at last, and he got up
intending to proceed to the nearest fire, when just as he crawled
through the opening a Kaffir woman appeared carrying a basket on her
head.

"The chief has sent you this," she said; "you are to eat it and be
thankful; but he bids me tell you that if you attempt to run away you
will be killed."

"We are much obliged to the chief," said Denis, as the girl placed the
basket on the ground. "Tell him that we wish to remain friends, and
that when he gives us permission we will bid him good-bye."

Denis, however, was too hungry to say more, and taking up the basket
entered the hut. It contained a gourd of whey, some mealy cakes and
cooked buffalo flesh.

"This isn't bad, after all," observed Denis as they fell to. "We have
got Lionel's share as well as our own; however, we may stow that away in
case we want it."

They had just finished their meal when their attention was attracted by
a loud hubbub o