ance. Still his
generous feelings prompted him to make the attempt. There would be a
considerable amount of risk to himself, though the Zulus at that time
held white men in respect, and himself especially as he had so
frequently traversed their country, and was known to many of them.
Notwithstanding this, if found interfering with their proceedings, they
might, in a sudden fit of anger, put him to death. Leaving the camp,
therefore, he proceeded with rapid steps along the side of the hill, in
the direction the Zulus had taken. Though the kraal was concealed from
view by the shades of night, and no lights issued from it, he well knew
its position. He soon gained a spot whence in daylight he could clearly
have perceived it, when to his grief he saw what might have been
mistaken for a dark shadow creeping over the ground and already
ascending the hill on which the kraal stood. He was now convinced of
the impossibility of getting to it in time to warn the inhabitants of
their impending fate. Perfect stillness reigned around, broken
occasionally by the distant mutterings of a lion, or the melancholy cry
of some beast or bird of prey. Unable to tear himself away from the
spot, he waited, moved by a painful curiosity to learn what would
happen, as he knew that the dusky warriors must have reached the kraal,
though he was unable to see their movements. Still no cry reached his
ear. Had the inhabitants got warning of the intended attack, and beaten
a timely retreat? He hoped that such might have been the case.

A crescent moon and the bright stars shed a faint light over the scene.
He could look far up and down the valley, but the part where the kraal
stood was shrouded in gloom. Presently the silence was broken by a
chorus of shouts and yells, borne by the night wind from the direction
of the kraal, followed by shrieks and cries which continued without
intermission for some minutes, and then he saw lights glimmering here
and there, increasing in intensity, until a circle of flame burst forth,
rising rapidly as the fire caught hold of the combustible material of
which the kraal was composed. By this time all sounds had ceased, and
he knew that the last of the unhappy inhabitants had been killed.

Wishing to avoid the risk of meeting any of the savage warriors, should
they cross the hill, he hastened back to the camp. He found Umgolo, who
had discovered his absence, looking out, wondering what had become of
him.