wo others in different directions to ascertain if
any of the Zulus were in the neighbourhood, apparently searching for
Mangaleesu, as he intended in that case to keep the chief and his bride
more carefully concealed until he had carried them safely across the
border.

The hunters were the first to return, loaded with the flesh of a couple
of antelopes. Soon afterwards, while they were busily employed in
cutting up the animals and preparing them for supper, the scouts came
in, bringing the information that they had seen a large party who seemed
to them coming from the south-west, but who were too far off to enable
them to ascertain who they were. As--the intermediate ground being
uneven--it would have taken them a long time to get nearer, they deemed
it wise to return at once with their report.

"Whether friends or foes, we are ready for them," said the trader. "In
case they should be foes, we must keep our guests concealed; but from
the direction they come, I think it more likely that they are friends,
and we will have some food ready for them."

The cooks therefore spitted according to camp fashion an additional
supply of meat to roast, while the trader walked on a short distance in
the direction he expected the strangers to appear. He was not mistaken
in his surmise. After some time he saw through his glass a waggon very
similar to his own, accompanied by two persons on horseback and several
on foot. On this, returning to the camp, he ordered his horse to be
saddled, and went out to meet them. As he was seen approaching, the two
mounted strangers rode forward.

"What, Hendricks the Hunter!" exclaimed the elder, a tall, gaunt man,
with a weather-beaten countenance, whose grey twinkling eyes, the form
of his features, and his rich brogue showed him to be an Irishman.
"Mighty glad to fall in with you, old friend!" and the gentlemen shook
hands warmly.

"I'm equally well pleased to meet you, Maloney," answered Mr Hendricks.
"You can give me news of the civilised world, of which I have heard
nothing for many a long month."

"Faith! as to that, it wags much as usual. Skins are fetching fair
prices, which is good news for you; but the Kathlamba bushmen are again
becoming troublesome, and have lately carried off several head of cattle
and horses from the settlers in that direction, which is a bad matter
for them, while the new arrivals are grumbling and complaining as usual
because they do not find the colony t