to descend the slopes, as if they
meditated an attack, and the rifles of the whites and the three hunters
opened fire upon them and checked those on the bare sides of the hill.
Many, however, went farther down, and descending into the valley crept
up under the shelter of the stones and boulders, and as soon as they
came within range opened fire with their bows and arrows. By this time,
however, the waggons were entering the ravine which, although at its
entrance less abrupt and perpendicular than that below, soon assumed a
precisely similar character.

Once well within its shelter Mr Harvey posted Dick with the three
hunters and four of the other natives to defend the rear. This was a
matter of little difficulty. Two or three hundred yards up the ravine a
barrier, similar to those met with on the previous day, was encountered,
and the waggons had to be dragged up by ropes, an operation which took
upwards of three hours.

While the passage was being effected, Dick with his party had remained
near the mouth of the ravine, and had been busy with the enemy who
pressed them; but after the last waggon had safely crossed the barrier
they took their station at this point, which they could have held
against any number of enemies.

The caravan proceeded on its way, men and animals labouring to the
utmost; when, at a point where the sides of rock seemed nearly to close
above them, a narrow line of sky only being visible, a great rock came
crushing and leaping down, bounding from side to side with a tremendous
uproar, and bringing down with it a shower of smaller rocks, which it
had dislodged in its course. The bottom of the ravine was here about
twelve yards wide, and happened to be unusually level. The great rock,
which must have weighed half a ton, fell on one side of the leading
waggon and burst into fragments which flew in all directions.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but a scream of dismay broke from the
natives.

"Steady!" Mr Harvey shouted; "push on ahead; but each man keep to his
work--the first who attempts to run and desert the waggons I will shoot
through the head."

"Tom, go on a hundred yards in front, and keep that distance ahead of
the leading waggon. Shoot down at once any one who attempts to pass
you."

Rock followed rock in quick succession; there was, however, fortunately
a bulge in the cliff on the righthand side, projecting some twenty feet
out, and as the blocks struck this they were hurled off