o get the house to burn, for it had been
well soaked with water. We ran more risk from the cartridge than from
his efforts, for in exploding it might easily damage the wooden wall of
the house. Then a startling and unexpected thing happened. I can only
suppose that the Matabele fellow had seen dynamite cartridges in use at
some mine in the district, and was acquainted with their properties, for
the rascal suddenly seized our bomb and threw it up at the window. He
was just in time, for the thing exploded in the air a few inches from
the side of the house, making a large hole.

With wonderful speed and activity two Matabeles swarmed up to the
breach, their assegais in their mouths, and their savage faces appeared
almost as quickly as it was realised that a hole had been made. They
were quickly shot, and the hole was instantly boarded over, but the
incident was alarming, because it showed that the enemy were capable of
effecting surprises upon us which might prove dangerous as time went on.

No more attacks were made before morning, and we were all at breakfast,
well pleased with ourselves for having got through the night in safety,
when some one came and told me that a 'funny-looking chap was asking for
me outside.'

He was Umkopo, of course. Of course, too, his errand was striking and
unusual.

'Tell Mr. Gadsby,' said he,'that the Matabeles are poisoning his water
supply--with my eyes I saw it. You must leave the farm and go to
Bulawayo--the farmhouse will be looted and burned, but you shall reach
Bulawayo in safety; I say it.'

Well, Umkopo was first laughed at; then his story was partly believed;
lastly he was fully believed, and the plan suggested by him was adopted,
which was to march to Bulawayo, armed and ready, under his protection.

And under his protection the whole party actually walked and rode past
the entire _impi._ within one hundred yards of the grim, scowling
fellows, and not an assegai was thrown, not a word uttered.

What was more, we all reached Bulawayo in perfect safety, passing
through throngs of the enemy under Umkopo's guardianship: through
thousands of terrible fellows who would have cut us to pieces, without
doubt, but for the haughty announcement by the White Witch, that we were
'his friends!'

I shall have more to tell you about Umkopo one day, if you like to hear
it, Vandeleur ended. 'Meanwhile, good-night all, for if you are half as
sleepy as I am, you must be glad that I have done