a faint feeling of
hope began to spring up; then gradually, step by step, he told her that
it was reported that these captives consisted chiefly of non-combatants,
men who had taken refuge among the rocks and bushes when the fight was
seen to be going against the troops. This still further raised Mrs
Humphreys' hopes; for, from the presence of mind and shrewdness which
Dick had shown on the occasion of the snow-storm, it seemed probable
that he would be quick to avail himself of any chance of escape there
might be. Then Mr Humphreys said that the report affirmed that among
the prisoners were two or three quite young lads, and so step by step he
went on, until the delighted mother learned that her son was already
upon the farm, and was only waiting until he knew she would be strong
enough to see him.

Mr Humphreys now went to the door and gave a loud shout, and Dick, who
had been waiting the signal agreed on at a short distance from the
house, ran up and was soon in his parents' arms. A minute or two later
his younger brother ran in, having just heard the news from Harrison,
and it was indeed a happy party which that night assembled in the
sitting-room of the farmhouse, and listened to Dick's account of the
adventures he had gone through. Not a little proud were the father and
mother, as they read Colonel Wood's testimony to the gallant conduct of
their son.

The next day Mr and Mrs Jackson drove over with Tom, and the warmest
congratulations were exchanged.

"Have you been paid for the waggons, father?" Dick asked.

"Yes, my boy, for there was a notice that the owners of all waggons and
teams destroyed at Isandula would be paid at once. As there was a
record kept of the ownership of those which accompanied the column,
there was of course no difficulty in proving the loss, and both Mr
Jackson and myself received orders on the public treasury for their
value last week. You see more transports were required, and there was
such a panic after Isandula, that if government had not promptly paid
for their losses there, they would have got no more waggons from farmers
for their work. We have already four more building for us at
Newcastle."

"I suppose there was a great fright in the colony after the defeat?"

"Terrible!" Mr Humphreys answered. "Everyone imagined that the Zulus
would at once cross the frontier, and carry fire and sword throughout
the colony. The rest of the 4th Regiment instantly went forward to