otwithstanding, knowing that
Raff was keeping watch, they slept soundly till the next morning.
Descending the tree, they breakfasted on the remains of their venison,
and pushed forward, feeling in as good trim as they had when they
started on the previous day.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

THE FIRST THREATENINGS OF DANGER.

A stream descending from the Drakensberg, that lofty range of mountains
which runs across the whole of the south-eastern portion of the
Transvaal, separates that province from the north of Zululand. The
region is thickly wooded and picturesque, though in many places wild in
the extreme, while the climate, from the elevation of the land, is pure
and invigorating. The stream, after issuing from the mountain-side,
increased by numerous feeders, rapidly assumes considerable proportions,
and rushes on towards the edge of a precipice, over which it falls in
masses of foam, to the depth of fifty feet or so, when it flows on
towards the south in a more tranquil current, with a width which may
well claim for it the title of a fine river.

"Those must be the mountains, and that must be the river, Mangaleesu
told us we should see," said Denis, as towards the end of the second day
they stood on the height overlooking the valley into which they were
about to descend.

"I have no doubt about it, from the description my brother Rupert has
sent me," answered Percy; "and I think we shall soon see Falls Farm,
although on the opposite side of the river. From where we stand, it is
hidden by the trees. Hark! I think I hear the sound of the falls. If
we were more to the south, we should see them."

"Well, then, let's make haste, and we shall be able to get down to the
bank before dark," said Denis; "though how we are to cross is a puzzle."

"Perhaps we shall see somebody, and get him to send a boat across for
us," said Percy. "Come along."

They hurried forward, eagerly looking out for the house and the falls,
which would assure them that they were not mistaken in their
expectations.

"Yes, there are the falls," cried Percy. "I see the water falling like
a sheet of snow to the right, though it's farther off than I supposed,
and there's a wreath of smoke rising above a clump on the opposite side,
that must come from a house. Yes, hurrah! there's no mistake about it.
I see a verandah, or porch, peeping out on the slope of the hill."

"All right. I congratulate you, Percy, as well as myself," said Denis;
"an