he night alone in a tree, up which he had climbed
to be more secure from wild beasts. Sitting there, he meditated much,
and came to the conclusion that he ought in future to devote himself
entirely to missionary labours. In pursuance of that idea, he made his
way to one of the Wesleyan mission stations in Kafirland.

On the road thither he came to a Kafir kraal, where the men seemed to be
engaged in the performance of a war-dance.

On being questioned by these Kafirs as to who he was, and where he came
from, Orpin replied, in his best Kafir, that he was a trader and a
missionary.

The chief looked surprised, but, on hearing the whole of Orpin's story,
a cunning look twinkled in his eyes, and he professed great friendship
for the missionaries, stating at the same time that he was going to one
of the Wesleyan stations, and would be glad to escort Orpin thither.
Thereafter he gave orders that the white man should be taken to one of
his huts and supplied with a "basket" of milk.

The white man gratefully acknowledged the kind offer, and, asking the
name of the friendly chief, was informed that it was Hintza. Just then
a court fool or jester stepped forward, and cried aloud his
announcements of the events of the day, mixed with highly complimentary
praises of his master. Stephen did not understand all he said, but he
gathered thus much,--that the warriors had been out to battle and had
returned victorious; that Hintza was the greatest man and most
courageous warrior who had ever appeared among the Kafirs, to gladden
their hearts and enrich their bands; and that there was great work yet
for the warriors to do in the way of driving certain barbarians into the
sea--to which desirable deed the heroic, the valiant, the wise, the
unapproachable Hintza would lead them.

Orpin feared that he understood the meaning of the last words too well,
but, being aware that Hintza was regarded by the colonists as one of the
friendliest of the Kafir chiefs, he hoped that he might be mistaken.

Hintza was as good as his word, and set out next day with a band of
warriors, giving the white man a good horse that he might ride beside
him. On the way they came on a sight which filled Orpin with sadness
and anxiety. It was the ruins of a village, which from the appearance
of the remains had evidently been occupied in part by white men. He
observed that a gleam of satisfaction lit up Hintza's swarthy visage for
a moment as he passed the pl