against us, the man had been killed in
self-defence whilst trying to bring about our deaths at the hands
of Basutos. I could see now that I was foolish not to have taken
this line from the first, but as I think I have already
explained, what weighed with me was the terror of involving these
young people in a scandal which might shadow all their future
lives. Also some fate inch by inch had dragged me into Zululand.
Fortunately in life there are few mistakes, and even worse than
mistakes that cannot be repaired, if the wish towards reparation
is real and earnest. Were it otherwise not many of us would
escape destruction in one form or another.

Thus I reflected until at length light flowing faintly through
the smoke-hole of the hut told me that dawn was at hand. Seeing
it I rose quietly, for I did not wish to wake Anscombe, dressed
and left the hut. My object was to find Nombe, who I hoped would
be still sitting by the fire, and send her to Zikali with a
message that I wished to speak with him at once. Glancing round
me in the grey dawn I saw that she was gone and that as yet no
one seemed to be stirring. Hearing a horse snort at a little
distance, I made my way towards the sound and in a little bay of
the overhanging cliff discovered the cart and near by our beasts
tied up with a plentiful supply of forage. Since so far as I
could judge in that uncertain light, nothing seemed to be wrong
with them except weariness, for three of them were still lying
down, I walked on to the gate of the fence which surrounded
Zikali's big hut, proposing to wait there until some one appeared
by whom I could send my message.

I reached the gate which I tried and found to be fastened on its
inner side. Then I sat down, lit my pipe and waited. It was
extraordinarily lonesome in that place; at least this was the
feeling that came over me. No doubt the sun was up behind the
Ceza Stronghold that I have mentioned, which towered high behind
me, for the sky above grew light with the red rays of its rising.
But all the vast Black Kloof with its huge fantastic rocks was
still plunged in gloom, whereof the shadows seemed to oppress my
heart, weary as I was with my wakeful night and many anxieties.
I was horribly nervous also and, as it proved, not without
reason. Presently I heard rustlings on the further side of the
fence as of people creeping about cautiously, and the sound of
whispering. Then of a sudden the gate was thrown open