oo should be
very glad if he were able to live with us always; for I don't think he
would ever grow tired of the life here, although he has been so long
accustomed to travelling and hunting."

Maud hoped that the buoyant and spirited young Irishman would some day
return to the farm. Meantime Captain Broderick, with Percy and
Crawford, kept watch on the platform, while Biddy marched about
flourishing her sword, of which the captain had not thought fit to
deprive her. Every now and then she gave vent to her feelings by
shouting out defiance to the enemy, who still kept at a distance from
them. Why they did not come on at once to attack the fort it was
impossible to say. Captain Broderick was thankful for the delay, as it
gave Rupert a better chance of being able to drive in the cattle. They
appeared to be holding a council of war, he suspected for the object of
forming some plan of attack. His mind was greatly relieved when at
length he saw the heads of the cattle coming round a wood to the
north-west, and heard the crack of the stock whips. Presently Rupert
and Vermack appeared, urging on the slow-moving and obstinate animals
with all their might.

Just then Percy, who was looking through the glass, cried out--

"The Zulus are moving. They are marching this way. I can see them
clashing their shields and shaking their assegais over their heads, with
their chiefs leading them. I must let Rupert know, that he may hasten
on with the animals. He will understand what is meant if I fire a
musket."

"By all means," said Captain Broderick. "Fire a second if they do not
attend to the first signal."

Percy fired as he proposed.

Directly afterwards Rupert and Vermack were seen, accompanied by two of
the herdsmen, who were flourishing their whips and leaping from side to
side to urge on the still lagging animals. It seemed doubtful whether
they or the Zulus would first reach the farm. There could be no doubt
that as soon as they were seen, the latter would hasten on and attempt
to cut them off. Their friends earnestly hoped that rather than run the
risk of this, they would leave the cattle to their fate, and would make
their way into the fort.

Percy again fired, and pointed in the direction the Zulus were coming,
trusting that he might be seen. The men in the meantime were standing
at the drawbridge ready to admit the cattle, and then to raise it.

Presently Matyana and a shepherd, with a flock of sheep, a