l as mice in our ambush, and alert.
I began to think Colebrook must have been lost or killed--so long was he
gone--and that we must return without him. At last--we leaned forward--a
muffled movement in the grass ahead! A slight wave at the base! Then
it divided below, bit by bit, while the tops remained stationary. A
weasel-like body slank noiselessly through. Finger on lips once more,
Colebrook glided beside us. We turned and crawled back, stifling our
very pulses. For many minutes none of us spoke. But we heard in our rear
a loud cry and a shaking of assegais; the Kaffirs behind us were yelling
frightfully. They must have suspected something--seen some movement in
the tufted heads of grass, for they spread abroad, shouting. We halted,
holding our breath. After a time, however; the noise died down. They
were moving another way. We crept on again, stealthily.

When, at last, after many minutes, we found ourselves beyond a
sheltering belt of brushwood, we ventured to rise and speak. "Well?" I
asked of Colebrook. "Did you discover anything?"

He nodded assent. "Couldn't see him," he said shortly. "But he's there,
right enough. White man. Heard 'em talk of him."

"What did they say?" I asked, eagerly.

"Said he had a white skin, but his heart was a Kaffir's. Great induna;
leader of many impis. Prophet, wise weather doctor! Friend of old
Moselekatse's. Destroy the white men from over the big water; restore
the land to the Matabele. Kill all in Salisbury, especially the white
women. Witches--all witches. They give charms to the men; cook lions'
hearts for them; make them brave with love-drinks."

"They said that?" I exclaimed, taken aback. "Kill all the white women!"

"Yes. Kill all. White witches, every one. The young ones worst. Word of
the great induna."

"And you could not see him?"

"Crept near waggons, close. Fellow himself inside. Heard his voice;
spoke English, with a little Matabele. Kaffir boy who was servant at the
mission interpreted."

"What sort of voice? Like this?" And I imitated Sebastian's cold,
clear-cut tone as well as I was able.

"The man! That's him, Doctor. You've got him down to the ground. The
very voice. Heard him giving orders."

That settled the question. I was certain of it now. Sebastian was with
the insurgents.

We made our way back to our laager, flung ourselves down, and slept a
little on the ground before taking our turn in the fatigues of the night
watch. Our horses were loo