n."

Kalinda, however, declared that her desire was to join her husband, and
in a short time both of them came up, their countenances so concealed by
the hats and the plumes of feathers which adorned their heads, that it
would have been difficult for those outside to have discovered who they
were. The other Kaffirs, who usually wore scanty attire, dressed
themselves in the same fashion, and thus the enemy might easily have
supposed that a native contingent had arrived to assist in the defence
of the fort.

Captain Broderick, however, feared that although the apparent strength
of his garrison might keep the Zulus at a distance, they would ravage
his fields, and carry off the cattle and sheep which had been left
outside. They might also lay siege to the place, and attempt to starve
him out. He anxiously watched the movements of the main body. Instead
of directing their course towards the usual crossing place near the
farm, they marched to a spot much lower down the river, showing that
they had some dread of being opposed by the garrison, had they attempted
the passage higher up. The party which had made the first attack had
now gone in the same direction to cover their passage.

"We cannot save the crops, if the fellows are determined to destroy
them," he observed to Rupert; "but we may preserve the cattle and sheep,
by driving some into the fort, and others among the hills, where the
Zulus will not dare to follow them."

"We have time to do that, if we don't lose a moment. I'll go at once,"
cried Percy.

"No, let me go," said Rupert. "Percy is not accustomed to the cattle.
I will take Vermack and Matyana, and we will bring in as many as we can,
while the herdsmen who remain with the rest drive them off in the
meantime to the mountains. If we are seen by the Zulus, they will
suppose that the whole have been driven into the fort, and will not go
and look after the others."

Captain Broderick, although he would gladly have avoided employing his
son in so dangerous an expedition, did not think it right to forbid it.
And Rupert, calling the two men, immediately set off, all three carrying
their rifles as well as their long stock whips, required for driving the
cattle. As they made their way towards the meadows where the cattle
were feeding, they bent down and kept as much as possible under cover,
so as not to be seen by the Zulus. They were watched anxiously from the
ramparts. Captain Broderick could not hel