horses and oxen. In a short time also several
Kaffirs came dropping in, two or three at a time; some with muskets, but
others armed only with their assegais and shields, though they were
mostly accustomed to the use of firearms. They immediately joined those
labouring at the fortifications. They were followed by three white
settlers, two of whom were Dutch Boers, the other an Englishman; hardy
borderers of a low class, who, having suffered from the Zulus in former
years, held them in utter detestation.

Before the day was many hours old, the fortifications on the farm were
complete. Captain Broderick had a great desire to avoid hostilities,
and he hoped, should the Zulus come, that they, on seeing at once they
had no chance of success, would retire.

He had set an example to his men by working harder than any of them; and
at length, overcome with fatigue, he had retired to the house, desiring
Rupert to summon him immediately, should the scouts return, or anything
of importance occur. Denis insisted on keeping company with Rupert on
the platform, whence a good look-out could be obtained over the
surrounding country.

"I got so sound a sleep the first two nights after I came here, that I
did not feel at all inclined to go to bed," he said, as they walked to
and fro. "Not that I think there is much chance of having a visit from
those Zulus; for, from what I know of them, I suspect that as soon as
they find we are prepared to give them a warm reception, they will turn
tail and go the way they came."

"Probably they will, but I hope they will not fall in with your friend
Hendricks and his party, or they may revenge themselves by murdering and
robbing them," observed Rupert.

"They will not dare to do that," answered Denis. "They depend so much
on the traders for supplying their wants, and enabling them to dispose
of their produce, that they will not willingly quarrel with any of them;
still I should be very thankful to see Hendricks arrive here in safety."

While they were speaking they were joined by Percy, who said he felt
himself much better, and up to anything. He had not been with them more
than a minute, when he asked Rupert for his spyglass. Directing it
towards the opposite shore, he exclaimed--

"I thought I saw some horsemen, and I am right, I see four, but only one
is a white man, the other three are black. Two of them look very like
those we sent away from here, and the other is apparently a chi