e air, after the dignified and graceful manner of native
salutation.

"Greeting, Josane," he replied.

"Now do mine eyes behold a goodly sight," went on the old Kafir with
animation, speaking in the pleasing figurative hyperbole of his race.
"My father and friend is safe home once more. We have mourned him as
dead and he is alive again. He has returned to gladden our hearts and
delight our eyes. It is good--it is good."

"How did you know I had returned, Josane?"

Had there been light enough they would have detected the most whimsical
smile come over the old Kafir's face as he replied:

"Am I not the _Inkosikazi's_ watch-dog? What sort of a watch-dog is it
that permits a footstep to approach from outside without his knowledge?"

"You are, indeed, a man, Josane--a man among men, and trust to those who
trust you," replied Eustace, in that tone of thorough friendship and
regard which had enabled him to win so effectually the confidence of the
natives.

The old cattle-herd's face beamed with gratification, which, however,
was quickly dashed with anxiety.

"Look yonder," he said. "There is trouble in the Gaika location
to-night. Take the _Inkosikazi_ and leave--this very night. I know
what I say." Then, marking the other's hesitation, "I know what I say,"
he repeated impressively. "Am I not the _Inkosikazi's_ watch-dog? Am I
not her eyes and ears? Even now there is one approaching from Nteya's
kraal."

He had struck a listening attitude. Eustace, his recent experiences
fresh in his mind, felt depressed and anxious, gazing expectantly into
the darkness, his hand upon the butt of his revolver.

"Halt! Who comes there?" he cried in the Xosa tongue.

"A friend, Ixeshane!" came the prompt reply, as a dark form stepped into
view.

Now that life was worth living again, Eanswyth felt all her old
apprehensions return; but she had every confidence in her lover's
judgment and the fidelity of her trusted old retainer.

"_Hau_, Ixeshane! You are here; it is good," said the new arrival in
the most matter-of-fact way, as though he were not wondering to
distraction how it was that the man who had been reported slain in the
Bomvana country by the hostile Gcalekas, should be standing there alive
and well before him. "I am here to warn the _Inkosikazi_. She must
leave, and at once. The fire-tongues of the Amaxosa are speaking to
each other; the war-cry of the Ama Ngqika is cleaving the night."

"We have seen