As Mangaleesu did not
return, the pangs of hunger compelled them to eat a portion, although
they kept some in case he should come back without having succeeded in
obtaining any game.

The day was drawing on when Kalinda, who was standing at the entrance,
started and said in a low voice to Denis--

"He is coming!"

Presently the bushes were drawn aside, and Mangaleesu appeared, carrying
a small antelope on his back. He looked tired and excited; and throwing
the animal down, he hurriedly again closed the bushes, and sank
exhausted to the ground.

"We must speak low, lest any one outside may hear us," he whispered. "I
have been seen and pursued, but eluded my enemies. They may not
discover this retreat, for I pretended to go off in an opposite
direction. As I came along I resolved that you, my young friends,
should escape as soon as you can. If found with me, you may be killed;
but if you are alone, should you be overtaken, and will explain where
you are going, you will not be molested." Such, at all events, was the
meaning of what Mangaleesu said. "I would advise you to set off before
daylight to-morrow morning," he continued. "Make your way to the farm.
With the directions I will give you, you will easily find it. You may
very likely be seen and pursued: be not alarmed; invite these who
overtake you to escort you to the farm."

"But what will you and your wife do?" asked Denis.

"We will remain here in concealment until our enemies have grown weary
of searching for us. I will watch them until I see them go away, and
then we will set out and get across the border as fast as possible. The
country is thinly peopled, so that we shall have no difficulty in
escaping notice."

Denis expressed his regret at having to go without his friends, but
agreed that the plan would be the best to adopt.

Mangaleesu, before it grew dark, showed them the spring, and the
direction they were to follow, and minutely described several points, so
that they would run no risk of losing their way. The antelope meat was
cut up, and a portion cooked at a fire kindled in the cave, which,
though it created more smoke than was pleasant, was easily borne in
consideration of the advantage obtained.

Mangaleesu and Kalinda, with the two white lads, sat round the fire,
eating their supper of venison, washed down with cold water, and talking
over in low voices plans for that future which it was very possible none
of them might live t