y salute us with
a shower of assegais before we can get a glimpse of them. My father,
who knows all their tricks, has enjoined me never to trust them, and
considers that though they are savages they are much cleverer than we
are when fighting in their own country."

Crawford, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to follow Rupert's wise advice,
though he did not like the idea of running away from a foe for whom he
felt the utmost contempt.

While they were speaking, a loud clap of thunder burst on their ears,
and looking back they observed a dark bank of clouds rising from behind
the trees, which had hitherto concealed it from sight.

"We have ample reason for galloping on, even though there were no Zulus
in the neighbourhood," exclaimed Rupert. "We shall ere long have a
storm burst upon us, which it will be no joke to be caught in. We may,
however, manage to distance it, as well as the Zulus."

A second peal, louder than the first, made the horses start, and away
they galloped at full speed. As they went on, the raindrops could be
heard pattering on the ground behind them, but by urging on the horses
they managed to keep ahead of the deluge.

As the gloom of evening drew on, the lightning grew more and more vivid,
and the thunder rattled louder and louder.

"It is fortunate that we caught sight of those fellows; for they are
very likely, while the herdsmen are keeping under shelter from the
storm, to try and carry off some of the cattle," said Rupert. "I'll
ride round and put the men on their guard; but as there is no necessity
for you to get a wet jacket, you had better go on direct to the farm."

"No, no," answered Crawford; "I'll accompany you; I don't mind a
wetting; and though the Zulus we saw cannot yet have got as far as this,
even should they have pursued us, there may be others concealed near at
hand, who, if they find you alone, might venture to attack you."

They accordingly turned their horses' heads as Rupert proposed. The
cattle had only just reached the kraal, and the herdsmen were closing
the gates. Rupert told them of the strange Zulus he had seen, and
warned them to be on the alert. They scorned the idea, however, that a
few Zulus would venture to attempt stealing any of the captain's cattle,
but they promised, notwithstanding the approaching storm, to be on the
watch, and to punish the marauders, should they appear.

"Good-night, my friends!" said Rupert; "and now, Crawford, we must ride
for