hing, it fell
over on its side, and lay motionless.

"Thank you, whoever you are," said Percy. "You have saved my life; for
the animal's horn would have run me through, had you not come to my
assistance."

Though the Zulu might not have understood what Percy said, he
comprehended by the tone of his voice that he was expressing his
gratitude.

Denis in the meantime, dreadfully alarmed, was hurrying on, scarcely
expecting to be in time to save Percy, when the Zulu made his
appearance. At first he was unable to tell whether he came as a friend
or a foe, until he saw him fire, and knock over the rhinoceros.

"Thank heaven, he is safe! But who can that be? What, Mangaleesu!" he
exclaimed. "Thank you, my friend, thank you! You have indeed come at
the right moment. We feared that you were among those slaughtered by
Cetchwayo and his followers."

This was said partly in Zulu, and partly in such English as the young
chief understood. Denis had grasped his hand, and pressed it warmly to
express his gratitude.

"I had a narrow escape; but I slew six of my pursuers, and got off
free," answered Mangaleesu. "I could not, however, make my way directly
into Natal, as I had left my wife, when I joined Umbulazi, in a kraal,
with some of her relatives in this direction. On reaching it, I hurried
her away, for I knew that ere long our enemies would attack it.
Scarcely had we concealed ourselves in the woods overlooking the kraal,
when a party of Cetchwayo's forces appeared, and burnt it to the ground,
destroying all who remained within. We have since been journeying on,
but have been compelled to proceed cautiously, for fear of being
discovered; for, being known as opposed to Cetchwayo, I might have been
captured, and delivered up to him."

"And where is your wife?" asked Denis.

"She is in a cave at no great distance, where I placed her while I came
out to hunt; for, as game has been scarce in the country through which
we travelled, we have been sorely pressed for food; but now we have this
rhinoceros meat, we will at once return to her, as she will be
frightened at my long absence."

Saying this, the chief, who had just placed Percy on the ground,
commenced cutting through the tough hide of the rhinoceros, and was
about to slice off some of the flesh, when, observing how ill Percy
looked, he inquired what was the matter with him.

"We want water," answered Denis; "and he will die, I fear, if it cannot
soon be obt