The Kaffir had heard the yells and shrieks of the savages as they
attacked the kraal, and fearing that his master might have been tempted
to interfere, was proportionally glad to see him return safe.

They were still standing just outside the camp, when the sound of
approaching footsteps reached their ears.

"Here come some of the savage Zulus. We must drive them back, if they
intend to molest us," said the trader.

"No fear of that," replied the Kaffir. "There are but two pair of feet.
See! there they come up the hill."

The next instant the figure of a young warrior, with assegais in hand,
supporting with his left arm a slight girl, came in sight. The flames
from the fire lighted up their figures. Blood streamed from the side
and right arm of the man. Both were panting for breath.

"Mangaleesu claims your protection, white chief, for her he loves, and
for himself, that he may avenge the death of those he has lost. You
will not refuse it?"

"I will gladly conceal you, and afford you all the help I can," answered
the trader. "Come on: there is not a moment to be lost. Your wife can
get into the waggon, and you can lie in the hammock beneath it, where,
even if your enemies come, they will not think of looking for you."

This was said as the young chief and the girl were being conducted to
the waggon. All was done so rapidly and silently, that none of the
sleeping servants were awakened, and only those who had charge of the
cattle could have observed what had happened, while the curtain which
closed the front of the waggon was allowed to remain open, so as not to
excite the suspicion of the Zulus, should they come to the camp.

The trader and Umgolo slowly paced up and down with their rifles in
their hands, waiting the arrival of their pursuers. At length they
began to hope that Mangaleesu had evaded them, and that they had gone
off in a different direction. So satisfied were they that this was the
case, that the trader returned to the waggon to see what assistance he
could render to the wounded chief. Mangaleesu, however, made light of
his hurts, although they were such as any white man would have
considered very serious.

He told his white friend that his wife was uninjured, notwithstanding
the many assegais thrust at her.

"Have any more of your people escaped from your enemies?" asked the
trader.

"No; few even fought for their lives," answered the Zulu chief. "When I
was first awakened out