ite direction to that in
which the army would travel to Natal; so I at once suspected I was sent
away to prevent my seeing the army leave. I made my plans at once.

At daybreak I started, and travelled till the sun had risen three
hand-breadths above the hills, going towards the Pongola, then I turned
and travelled towards the Tugela river. I saw but few Zulus as I went,
and those I did see dared not stop me when I showed them the assagy of
the chief. From what I have since learned of the distances, I find I
must have travelled at least fifty miles a day. So on the third day I
reached the Umganie river near Natal, and saw the houses of the white
men.

On entering the first house I came to, I saw a man with his wife and two
children, all of whom looked at me with surprise; for they recognised me
as a white boy, though I wore the tails and carried the shield of a
Zulu. When I spoke to them in English they were still more surprised,
and soon became alarmed when I told them a Zulu army might be upon them
at any moment, and unless they could escape they would all be assagied,
as I knew the orders that were given to the chiefs, who led this army.
These people inquired who I was, and how I happened to be with the
Zulus. I gave them a brief account of my shipwreck, and the life I led
afterwards, but urged them to lose no time in doing something for their
safety. The man at once went to the other huts, and all the white
people were soon assembled to hear my tale. Some disbelieved me, but
the majority were at once for making things safe--a proceeding which was
far easier than I had imagined. Collecting plenty of food, and taking
everything of value from their huts, they placed these on board a small
schooner that by good luck was in the bay at anchor. Several boats were
there also, and by aid of these the people could be conveyed to the
vessel. Notice was sent to all the Caffres, of the expected arrival of
the Zulu army; and they assembled on a range of hills west of the bay,
where there was a very thick wood, and where they could oppose best the
trained warriors of the Zulu army.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

A day passed without any signs of the Zulus, but at daybreak on the
second day a Caffre runner came shouting that the Zulus were crossing
the Umganie river. We made a rush for the boats, and were soon all on
board the schooner, where we waited, each with a gun, to see what the
Zulus would do. The army moved rapidly