" he observed to Rupert. "If you don't
object, I'll lead it back to the farm, while you and your men continue
the chase."

"With all my heart," answered Rupert, who guessed that Crawford, as yet
inexperienced in hunting, would not be of much use.

Crawford, therefore, leading his horse with one hand and the animal by
the other, set off for the farm, while Rupert and his men, having
covered up the dead quaggas with bushes, to guard them from the vultures
and jackals until the arrival of the waggon, continued on in pursuit of
further game.

Rupert was fully as successful as he expected; a couple of pallahs,
three springbocs, and a buffalo being the result of the expedition, in
addition to the quaggas, and all within the radius of a couple of miles.
The waggon appeared in due time, and being loaded, he and his men set
off to escort it back to the farm.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEFENCE.

Mrs Broderick did not feel quite satisfied with herself at having
allowed Rupert and so many men to quit the farm. Percy noticed that she
was less at her ease than usual. She at length desired him to take a
look-out on the platform to ascertain if his brother and Crawford were
returning.

"They are not likely to be back for some time," he answered, "so that I
am afraid I shall not be able to report their appearance in the
distance."

"Then, my dear Percy, take a survey of the country round, especially on
the opposite side of the river. Perhaps the Zulus may be coming back;
and should they find out how few persons there are at the farm, they may
demand Mangaleesu, and threaten us with an attack should we refuse to
give him up."

"Pray set your heart at rest on that point, mother," answered Percy. "I
will, as you desire it, take a look round, though I am pretty sure not
to see any one. Supposing the Zulus were to come, we would close the
gates and keep them out."

"But when they see only you on the platform they would force it open,"
said Mrs Broderick.

"They would find that no easy matter, while I should be peppering them
from above," said Percy, laughing. "I will mount the two swivel guns on
the platform above the gate, and I will carry up all our spare rifles,
so that I can pop away briskly at the fellows if they approach with
hostile intent."

"Were you to do that, you would expose yourself, and they would soon
find out that there was only one person defending the walls," said Mrs
Broderick.