hornhill,
"whatever it's going to do. Now they know that to interfere with white
women in any way would be to bring about a general bust-up, which as
yet, they're probably not ready for. But likely enough they've got wind
that there's an idea of arresting some of the chiefs, and are holding us
as sort of hostages. Have you any notion that there's any such idea on
foot?"

"I've heard nothing about it officially or in any other capacity. But
if such a programme is on the boards we shall get our throats cut if
it's carried out. Is that the meaning?"

The other nodded.

"Well Parry," went on Elvesdon, cheerfully, "you wanted to see the
war-dance but you didn't bargain for this, eh? I suppose you've read
about this sort of situation too."

"Often, sir. But people always manage somehow to get out of it I
notice."

"And so shall we."

Cheered by the optimistic demeanour of his official superior, and the no
less calm one of his other companion in adversity the young Police
trooper began to enjoy the situation. What would his people at home say
if they could see him now, a prisoner in the hands of armed savages?

It was no end exciting; for of course they would manage to escape. As
he had said, people always did--in books. Poor boy!

Those who custodied them, even as those forming the escort for the two
girls, were not communicative. To the question as to where was Tongwana
the reply was short. The chief had gone away. To that as to where they
were bound for it was shorter still. They would see.

It was dark when they reached a large kraal, situated in a wide, bushy
valley. The country as they journeyed had become more and more wild and
broken. Thornhill declared they couldn't be far from the Tugela Valley,
which seemed to point to an intention on the part of their custodians to
rush them over the Zulu border, for the sake of better concealment.

Their arrival seemed to provoke no curiosity, or, at best a languid one;
certainly there were not many about to evince it. Thornhill, though not
seeming to do so, was keeping a bright look-out. Two or three faces he
thought he knew, but the bulk were those of strangers. They were taken
to a large hut in the centre of the kraal, and ordered to enter. But
when Parry would have followed the other two in he was promptly and
roughly stopped. It was in vain that both Thornhill and Elvesdon
pleaded that he might not be separated from them. He was only a boy,