was still in the dark as to what he
might be, friend or enemy, when he mystified me still further by
suddenly striking an attitude, standing as if suddenly turned into a
bronze figure defying some one on his right. Directly after, he dashed
into a kind of war-dance, advancing, retreating, throwing imaginary
assagais at invisible foes, and then coming apparently to close
quarters, screening his body with his long elliptic shield, and stabbing
away at men standing and others falling all around.

I need hardly say I drew rein at once and sat ready to urge Sandho to
his greatest speed at a moment's notice, for I felt that these
evolutions might either mean defiance and a display of what he would do
to me when I came within reach, or a feint to show his friendliness.

I cast the latter idea aside at once, and came to the conclusion that my
warlike gentleman was on the watch for an opportunity to dash in after
throwing me off my guard, and then I knew only too well what would
happen--that which had befallen many an unfortunate settler in the past:
a couple of small assagais darted at him like lightning, and the thrower
rushing in after them with his stabbing weapon, followed by the fatal
termination.

Still the grotesque dance went on, yet I felt pretty safe, for I was
fully fifty yards distant, and had often proved Sandho in encounters
with wild beasts; so I had no doubt of getting away in time when the
savage made his rush which was certainly coming, as I saw the lithe
actor was gradually working himself up to a sufficient pitch of
excitement. His eyes were rolling, his powerful black limbs shone, and
he darted here and there, leaping in the air to deliver some thrust with
greater effect, and generally carrying on in a way that would have made
me burst into a hearty fit of contemptuous laughter at the childish
exhibition, evidently meant to impress me with the fellow's great
bravery, had there not been, as I well knew, so terribly bloodthirsty an
element beneath it all.

"There, Sandho," I said softly as I leaned forward to stroke my horse's
soft arching neck, "I think we've had enough of the idiot's nonsense,
and we'll go."

I was in the act of saying these words, keenly watching all round for
danger, as well as beyond the bounding black in the full expectation of
catching sight at any moment of the plumed heads of a party of his
companions rising above the ridge, when, as if in a final effort or an
attempt at a c