morning to make his way with
Kalinda to a distance from the frontier.

"I do not suppose that Captain Broderick will allow you to do that, for
Kalinda has not yet recovered from the hardships she went through, and
you yourself are scarcely able to make a long journey," said Denis.
"Even if the Zulus have gone away, and have no intention of attacking
the farm, they may have sent scouts to watch for you, so that should you
try to escape, you and your wife may lose your lives after all."

Rupert was of the same opinion as Denis.

"My father is a man who always means what he says, and as he has
promised to protect you, he will not, even though you yourself might
offer to go, allow you to run the risk of being killed."

Mangaleesu acknowledged that he should grieve to expose Kalinda to the
dangers she must go through, and proposed to leave her, if Captain
Broderick would still afford her protection, and to go away by himself.

"That would not mend matters," observed Rupert; "for if the Zulus should
again venture to come to the farm under a belief that they were strong
enough to capture it, they would insist upon her being given to them as
a hostage until you deliver yourself up. No, no! you and she must stay
here until there is time to send to Natal, to complain of the
proceedings of the Zulus; and Cetchwayo, if he instigated them, must be
taught that he cannot attack English settlers with impunity."

Although it was very possible that the Zulus had gone away altogether,
Crawford and his companions agreed that it would be prudent to keep as
vigilant a watch round the stockade as ever. They therefore continued
their rounds, but they could discover nothing to indicate that an enemy
was in the neighbourhood. When at length the sun rising lighted up the
beautiful landscape, all around was as calm and smiling as ever. The
scouts who had been on the look-out now came in, and reported that the
Zulu force had really retired, and that the road to the north-east was
clear. Captain Broderick, who had previously made all arrangements, at
once prepared to start.

Percy felt very sad as he shook hands with Denis. "I wish that you had
been able to stay on with us, old fellow," he said. "I cannot help
thinking of all the dangers and hardships you will have to go through,
though, if I were not at home, I should be glad to go with you, and help
you get through them. However, you must try to come back, and take a
long spell with