that the ground far and near was dotted with corpses,
black and white.

After nightfall the boys descended to the camp, and having marked the
exact spot where the waggons had stood were able to collect a number of
pieces of the broken biscuit scattered about; they were fortunate enough
to light upon a water-bottle still full, and with these treasures they
returned to the post on the mountain. They had agreed to wait there for
three or four days, in fact as long as they could hold out, and then
quietly to walk into one of the native kraals. If caught in the act of
flight they were certain of being killed, but they hoped that when the
Zulus' blood had cooled down after the conflict their lives might
possibly be spared.

This plan was carried out; for four days they remained on the hill of
Isandula, and then descending late one evening to the plain walked for
ten or twelve miles north, and waiting until daybreak showed them a
large native kraal at no great distance, they made for it, and sat
quietly down at the door of the principal hut. Presently a girl issued
from a neighbouring hut, and, upon seeing them, gave a scream and ran
back again. The cry brought others to the doors of the huts. When the
boys were seen, a perfect hubbub of tongues broke forth, and many of the
men, running out with their spears, advanced towards the lads. They sat
perfectly quiet, and held up their hands to show that they were unarmed.
The Zulus hesitated. Dick went through the motion of eating and
drinking, and in his best Kaffir begged for a glass of water.

The Zulus, seeing that the boys were alone, approached them, and began
to ask them questions, and were evidently much surprised at hearing that
they had escaped from the massacre of the British. From the door of the
hut in which they were sitting a chief, evidently of high rank, for the
others greeted him respectfully, now came out.

After the cause of the tumult was explained to the chief, he ordered the
boys to be bound. This was done and they were put into an empty hut
while their fate was decided upon; after much deliberation it was agreed
by the Zulus that, as they were but boys and had come into the camp
unarmed and of their own accord, their lives should for the present be
spared.

It happened that in the village were a party of men who belonged to the
tribe of Umbelleni, whose territory lay to the north-west, and these
volunteered to take the prisoners to their chief,