had left his companions in the
camp, but had now to get out of the difficulty in the best way he could.
He therefore reminded Panda that they were very young, and that English
manners were not like Zulu manners, but he hoped the next time they
visited the country, should the king give them the honour of an
invitation, that they would behave themselves better.

Both Hendricks and Crawford had already swallowed more of the beer than
they liked. Although its intoxicating qualities were very weak, the
latter declared he felt its effects in his head, and that should he take
much more, he could not answer for himself.

At last Hendricks thought of an expedient which might possibly prove
successful in enabling his companions to escape from a further
infliction of the king's hospitable intentions. "The Lion of Africa"
(such was one of the titles the obese old savage delighted to be
addressed by) "was inquiring about affairs in Natal," he observed. "Not
long ago, there lived in England,--which, as your Majesty is aware of,
is a long way off,--a man named Jones. He was a worthy man, and had he
been born in Zululand, he might have become a great warrior. But Jones
was a man of peace. He had a family of ten children, six boys and four
girls, very like him in all respects. Jones had a brother, and Jones's
brother had twelve children, they were equally divided between boys and
girls. As there was every prospect of there being a good many more
little Jones's born, they agreed that the country might not be large
enough to hold them, and they therefore determined to come out to Natal.
Jones's brother came in a ship called the _Swan_, while Jones himself
embarked in one named the _Duck_. They sailed almost at the same time.
When the sea was smooth, the little Jones's were tolerably well, but
when it grew rough, they became very sick, and wished that they had not
come."

Hendricks, while he was speaking, kept his eye on the king, who, before
he had got thus far, began to nod. He continued, therefore, in a low
voice, giving the history of the Jones's, which, as it would be
uninteresting to most readers, was especially so to the king, who,
therefore, before the hunter had got much farther, fell fast asleep.

"Now my lads," said Hendricks, turning to his young companions, "you may
take the opportunity of slipping off. Make a bow to the king as you
leave the hut, more to please his attendants than His Majesty, who will
certainl