d beaten their best runner. What I dreaded was that another
party might be on the beach in front of me, when I should be stopped by
them. The noise I made in running would be sure to put a party on the
alert; besides which the Zulus in rear who were chasing me now began
shouting; a proceeding I knew they would not adopt unless they hoped to
make known to some other parties that they were in pursuit of an enemy.
The distance from where I began running to where the ship was, about
three-quarters of a mile, I could run at speed, and now that I was
running for my life there was no lack of energy. I found I was leaving
the Zulus behind, and was now well beyond the reach of an assagy. I
still kept on, however, and reached the beach some two hundred yards
before the leading Zulu. I jumped into the water, and swam rapidly
towards the schooner; but a new danger here threatened me. The night
was very dark, and no one on shore could have seen me had it not been
for the phosphorescence of the water. As I swam I left a trail of light
behind me--like a rocket--and the Zulus, seeing this, threw their
assagies at me; but, luckily, none struck me, or I probably should never
have been able to relate my early history. I was soon beyond range of
the spears, and then called to the men in the ship to lower a rope for
me to climb on board. I was heard, and a rope with a bowling-knot at
the end was lowered. In this knot I placed my feet, and was soon on
board, when I told the white settlers and sailors what had taken place
on shore. I also told them that I suspected the Zulus would try to get
on board in the disguise of the men they had assagied, and that we must
be prepared for them. Having given this information, I obtained some
dry clothes and some food; and being now listened to with more
attention, I made all arrangements for receiving the Zulus when they
made their attempt to come on board as I felt sure they would. A
careful watch was kept by two men, whilst the others were ready to jump
up at the slightest noise. We had five double-barrelled guns on board,
and several boat-hooks, which would serve as excellent weapons to keep
off boarders. I believed the Zulus would try to surprise us, and to get
on board under pretence of being white men, for they could not come in
great numbers in the boat, so I had no fear of being overpowered.

The sailors proposed that, as soon as the wind was suitable, we should
hoist sail and escap