time Umnini came to
me, and, after looking at me for some time, said, "It is the young White
Chief of the Umzimvubu." The men who had been speaking about me smiled
at this remark, and said to Umnini, "No, chief, it is not him, it is a
young Boer." Umnini looked at me very attentively, but I gave no sign
either of recognising him, or understanding what he said.

Speaking in Dutch to my Caffre, I told him to ask the chief if he had
any ostrich-feathers, or elephants' tusks, as I wished to buy them.

He replied that he had a few tusks, and wanted to know what I would give
for them.

Having brought with me some beads as specimens and a few blades of
assagies, I showed him these, but he said that what he wanted was guns.
The talking continued for some time, and I at length asked that I might
see the tusks. Umnini said I could go with him into his kraal where the
tusks were kept. We alone entered his hut, and he then pointed to six
fine tusks, but believing that I could not understand what he said, he
made signs that they belonged to three elephants.

Having carried my joke far enough, I looked at Umnini and said in
Caffre:--

"Chief, you alone were correct and you alone knew me. I _am_ the White
Chief of the Umzimvubus, and I have come back to see you again, and to
bring you some things you will like. I am going also to see my own
tribe to the west."

Umnini scarcely seemed surprised, as I told him who I was, but said he
had been certain about it when he saw me.

Our conversation, which had not been heard outside of the hut, had been
carried on in a low tone; so no one besides Umnini knew who I was. I
told him I did not wish to be known at present, and asked him to keep my
secret. He agreed to this, and when we crept out of the hut he did his
acting splendidly, and spoke to my Caffre, asking him to enquire of me
what I thought of the tusks.

I replied in Dutch, saying I would buy them. Then bidding good-bye to
the people, I returned to the ship.

Two days afterwards I started with two Caffres and a Hottentot for my
old residence near the Umzimvubu. The pony I rode was a good shooting
pony, and on the first day I shot two coran and a red bush-buck, which
supplied the party with plenty of food. On the second day I reached my
old kraal, and was again anxious to see if I should be recognised. I
was not long in doubt. Inyoni, my old boy-companion, had now grown into
a fine young man, and was standing near