ets can cover your
passage, and keep the Zulus in check."

"I agree with you that is the best thing to be done," said Rupert.
"You're a soldier, every inch of you."

Percy was flattered at his brother's compliment, and his readiness to
follow his suggestions, without showing the slightest tinge of jealousy.

"In the meantime," continued Rupert, "we had better get up the dummies,
and post them in the most conspicuous places, so as to make the greatest
show possible."

"I advise that they be fixed a little way from the ramparts, so that we
can pass in front of them," said Percy. "Although they should be placed
where they can be seen by the enemy, it would be as well to conceal as
much of them as possible, or their real character may be detected."

"Well, do you continue to keep a look-out," said Rupert; "and I will go
down and carry out our proposed plan."

Rupert found Crawford and Mangaleesu on their way with some of the
dummies, which at a little distance had greatly the appearance of living
people. Mangaleesu's were decidedly the best, his figures admirably
representing Kaffir warriors in various attitudes, prepared for battle.

Under Percy's and Rupert's directions they were placed as had been
proposed.

"But we ought to be going down to the boat," cried Rupert; and he
summoned the men he had collected. "Percy, you fire a musket if you see
any Zulus approaching the river, who may be shut out from our view, and
another, if you observe any crossing in the distance; then we shall know
how to act. Come along, Crawford!"

They hurried out, running at full speed, as they were convinced that
there was no time to be lost. On reaching the bank of the river, they
could see farther up the stream than they could from the farm.

Percy was in the meantime watching to catch sight of the Zulus who had
gone to the northward. They were still visible as they made their way
among the trees. By this he knew that if his father was coming, they
had not yet succeeded in cutting him off. While still watching them, he
heard the shouts of the Hottentot drivers and the crack of their whips,
and he had the satisfaction of seeing the waggon approaching, the poor
oxen covered with foam, and trotting at a speed at which they had
probably never before moved when yoked. In a few minutes the waggon
drove over the drawbridge into the farm, greatly to the satisfaction of
Percy, both on account of the drivers, who, had they been overt