do we can defend
ourselves against greatly superior numbers," said Mangaleesu. "Your
friend therefore can remain in safety until he has recovered and is able
to proceed on his journey."

The cavern was dry and of considerable height, so that a fire could have
been lighted within; but as the smoke would have been annoying, Denis
suggested that they should light it outside, as the neighbouring bushes
afforded plenty of fuel. This was soon done, and the rhinoceros meat
put on to cook.

Mangaleesu and his wife, not being very particular as to its being well
done, were soon able to commence supper. Denis preferred waiting a
little longer, when he took some in to Percy, who was by this time well
able to eat it. They pronounced it rather tough, but remarkably well
flavoured; indeed, the rhinoceros being an herbivorous animal, its flesh
is not to be despised.

As soon as the meat was cooked, the fire was put out. "We need not keep
up one during the night," observed Mangaleesu, "for no wild beast can
make its way through the bushes which I will draw in front of the cave,
and should any one come near, your dog will give us ample notice."

Among the first inquiries Denis made of Mangaleesu was whether he had
seen the waggon, or could in any way calculate how far they were from
it. Mangaleesu replied that he had not seen it or fallen in with any
tracks to show that it had passed in that direction. On learning whence
they had started, he led Denis to suspect that he and Percy had wandered
much farther to the north-west than they had supposed, and that they
were not likely for several days to meet with the waggon, supposing it
had moved on.

"There is, however," he observed, "a white family living on the borders,
the only one for many miles round, not more than two days' journey from
this. As soon as your friend has recovered his strength, if you start
at daybreak, and walk on briskly, you may reach it on the evening of the
second day. Kalinda and I will accompany you, and we will then go into
Natal, and bid farewell for ever to Zululand."

On telling Percy of the account given by Mangaleesu, he exclaimed, "Why
that must be Falls Farm, where my father lives. I thought we were still
a long way from it. How delightful! I wish that I could get up and set
off immediately. I am sure by to-morrow morning I shall be strong
enough."

Denis was as anxious as his friend to start; for Percy had often spoken
to him about F