s to which, do you happen
to notice that one of our fellows is missing? No, no; don't say his
name. Those three jokers have got their ears wide open, and are smart
at putting two and two together."

Thoroughly awake now, Blachland, looking around, became aware of the
significance of the other's statement. One of the "boys" was missing,
and that the one who had seemed to be overhearing when they had talked
on that dangerous topic--Hlangulu, the Matabele.

"Hurry now, Amakiwa," growled one of the messengers. "Is not the Great
Great One waiting?"

"He can wait a little longer, _umfane_," rejoined Pemberton, tranquilly
sipping his coffee, which was hot.

"_Ah_! Who but a madman would provoke the wrath of the Black Bull?"
growled the savage.

Pemberton nodded. "The Black Bull in this case is no longer a calf," he
replied. "Therefore he will know that everything cannot be done in a
hurry."

The three savages scowled and muttered. In their heart of hearts they
had an immense respect for these cool, imperturbable white men, so
entirely but unobtrusively fearless.

At last the latter arose, and, buckling on their bandoliers and taking
their rifles, declared that they were ready.

"Put those down. The Great Great One has sent for you. You cannot go
before him armed," said one of the envoys insolently, pointing with his
knob stick. But for all the effect the injunction had upon those to
whom it was addressed, it might just as well not have been uttered. The
slightest possible raising of an eyebrow alone showed that they had so
much as heard it. The horses were brought round saddled, and, mounting,
they started, a kind of instinct moving them to outmanoeuvre each
attempt of their truculent summoners to bring up the rear. But as they
moved out of camp the idea was the same in all four minds--whether they
were destined ever to re-enter it.

Lo Bengula was, at that time, friendly to the English. Sick of haggling
with rival concession-mongers, he had finally concluded terms for the
occupation of adjacent Mashunaland, and, having made the best of a bad
job, felt relieved that his lines were henceforth cast in peaceful and
pleasant places. But he reckoned without the nation which produced
Drake and Hawkins, Raleigh and Clive, and--Cecil Rhodes.

He reckoned, also, without his own fighting men. The bumptiousness of
these was inordinate, overwhelming. They were fully convinced they
could whip all creation--th