my heart. Twice it turned the point of the
assegai."

"Eustace!"

"It is as I say. Your love preserved me for yourself."

"Oh, my darling, surely then it cannot be so wicked--so unlawful!" she
exclaimed with a quiver in her voice.

"I never believed it could," he replied.

Up till then, poor Tom's name had not been mentioned. Both seemed to
avoid allusion to it. Now, however, that Eustace had to narrate his
adventures and escape, it could not well be avoided. But in describing
the strange impromptu duel between the Gcaleka warrior and his
unfortunate cousin, he purposely omitted any reference to the latter's
probable hideous fate, leaving Eanswyth to suppose he had been slain
then and there. It was impossible that she should have been otherwise
than deeply moved.

"He died fighting bravely, at any rate," she said at last.

"Yes. Want of courage was never one of poor Tom's failings. All the
time we were out he was keener on a fight than all the rest of the
command put together."

There was silence after this. Then at last:

"How did you escape, Eustace, my darling? You have not told me."

"Through paying ransom to that same Hlangani and paying pretty stiffly
too. Four hundred and fifty head of good cattle was the figure. Such a
haggle as it was, too. It would have been impolitic to agree too
quickly. Then, I had to square this witch-doctress, and I daresay old
Kreli himself will come in for some of the pickings. From motives of
policy we had to carry out the escape as if it was a genuine escape and
not a put-up job--but they managed it all right--took me across the
river on some pretext or other and then gave me the opportunity of
leg-bail. As soon as the war is over Hlangani will come down on me for
the cattle."

"How did you know I was back at Anta's Kloof, dearest? Did the Hostes
tell you?" said Eanswyth at last.

"No. I met that one-eyed fellow Tomkins just outside Komgha. I only
waited while he called up two or three more to back his statement and
then started off here as hard as ever I could send my nag over the
ground."

The journey was about half accomplished. The buggy bowled merrily
along--and its occupants--alone together in the warm balmy southern
night--began to wish the settlement was even further off. They were
ascending a long rise.

"Hallo, what's up?" exclaimed Eustace suddenly, whipping up his horses,
which he had been allowing to walk up the hill.

The brow of