strength. Since he lost his mother he has only
had his uncle, Tom Lumly, to look after him when I have been away, and
my good brother-in-law being much taken up with business has had little
time to attend to him, so that he has been allowed to run rather wild.
However, as he is now well able to make himself useful, Tom will give
him work to do, and that will help to keep him out of harm's way."

"You are right, my friend; there's nothing like plenty of work to help
keep a person out of mischief; but, after all, he must have steadiness
and good principles. They alone are to be depended on, and I hope your
son has got those as ballast."

The two gentlemen, followed by Denis, soon arrived at the camp. They
found the promised repast spread out under the shade cast by the waggon
as the sun sank towards the western hills.

The two ciders did ample justice to the venison steaks and other African
luxuries placed before them; but though Denis managed to eat a little,
he had to acknowledge that he was somewhat off his feed.

Umgolo, who ranked as a chief amongst his followers, and shared his
master's board, ate considerably more than the two white men together.
Mangaleesu and Kalinda, who had been invited, at first hung back, but
overcoming their bashfulness at length came and joined the party, and
did ample justice to the food offered them. At last, little Unozingli,
the white boy, or Lionel, as his protector determined to call him, crept
out from the corner of the waggon, and, tempted by the smell of the
viands, came and placed himself by the side of the Zulu chief, of whom
he showed no fear.

"The child has been well treated, or he would keep away from our
dark-skinned friend there," observed Mr Maloney. "It's mighty curious
that he's unable to utter a word of English; but he'll find his tongue
soon, when he has stowed away a little food."

The little fellow, unlike the Zulus, ate moderately, and after taking a
draught of cold water declared that he was satisfied. His wounded arm,
which Hendricks had placed in a sling, did not appear to cause him much
pain; at all events, he did not complain as most boys more delicately
nurtured than he had been would have done.

The Zulu chief now addressed him in a kind tone. He at once answered,
and was soon chattering away either with him or Kalinda, with whom he
appeared to be a favourite. After this, as he had recovered his
spirits, Hendricks called him to come and sit by