t sense of coolness and fatigue, and was about to
begin my preparations for a night's repose when Piet, my Tottie
after-rider, rose from his place among the others round the fire and
approached me.

"Baas," he said, "'Ngaga, a Basuto, the headman of the village, would
speak with you. Shall I say that your ears are open?"

"Yes," answered I. "Let him come hither and speak freely."

Accordingly, Piet having signified that I was graciously willing to
accord an audience, 'Ngaga approached, halted at the distance of six
feet from me, flung up his right hand, and sonorously uttered the salute
"'Nkos'!" Then he stood motionless, awaiting my pleasure.

"S'a bon' (literally, I see you), 'Ngaga!" I replied. "You would have
speech with me? Then say on. My ears are open."

"Baba (Father)," began the savage (he was at least forty years of age,
while I was only eighteen), "thy children are in trouble; therefore
there was great rejoicing in the village when Mafuta, the nyanga (witch
doctor), this morning announced that a white man was on the way and,
with his fire weapons, would be with us before nightfall. He said--"

"Stop!" interrupted I. "Before you speak further, tell me how Mafuta
came to know that I was on the way? I believed that my entry into
Basutoland was unknown, and was wondering whether it would be better for
me to see Moshesh in his kraal, or whether it would suffice for me to
send a messenger with gifts. Perhaps you can tell me?"

"Doubtless the king will be glad to see thee at his kraal," cautiously
answered the man, "especially if the news goes forward that thou hast
done us, his children, a service. And if thou wilt do us that service I
will see that the news of it does go forward to the king's ear, ensuring
thee a welcome."

"Very well," said I. "I will gladly do what may lie in my power.
Therefore, say what is thy desire, and I will consider the matter. But
thou hast not yet told me how Mafuta came to know of my presence in
Basutoland. I saw no man yesterday. But perchance one of you belonging
to the village saw my wagon from afar, and hastened to spread the news?"

"Nay," answered 'Ngaga; "no man saw thy wagon, from afar, or brought
news of thine approach to the village. Mafuta is a great nyanga, and
perchance he saw a vision of thine approach in his magic smoke. How
should I know? It is not good for mere ordinary mortals to enquire too
curiously into the doings of the nyangas."

Thi