caling this
mountain. I did not trust the Amahagger, who declared that none existed,
since their local knowledge was slight as they never visited these
northern slopes because of their fear of Rezu. Supposing that the enemy
gained the crest and suddenly assaulted us in the rear! The thought of
it made me feel cold down the back.

While I was wondering how I could find out the truth, Hans, who was
squatted behind a bush, suddenly rose and gave the rifle he was carrying
to the remaining Zulu.

"Baas," he said, "I am going to look and find out what those people are
doing, if they are still there, and then you will know how and when to
attack them. Don't be afraid for me, Baas, it will be easy in that mist
and you know I can move like a snake. Also if I should not come back, it
does not matter and it will tell you that they _are_ there."

I hesitated who did not wish to expose the brave little Hottentot to
such risks. But when he understood, Umslopogaas said,

"Let the man go. It is his gift and duty to spy, as it is mine to smite
with the axe, and yours to lead, Macumazahn. Let him go, I say."

I nodded my head, and having kissed my hand in his silly fashion in
token of much that he did not wish to say, Hans slipped out of sight,
saying that he hoped to be back within an hour. Except for his great
knife, he went unarmed, who feared that if he took a pistol he might be
tempted to fire it and make a noise.

CHAPTER XVII

THE MIDNIGHT BATTLE

That hour went by very slowly. Again and again I consulted my watch by
the light of the moon, which was now rising high in the heavens, and
thought that it would never come to an end. Listen as I would, there was
nothing to be heard, and as the mist still prevailed the only thing
I could see except the heavens, was the twinkling of the fires lit by
Goroko and his party.

At length it was done and there was no sign of Hans. Another half hour
passed and still no sign of Hans.

"I think that Light-in-Darkness is dead or taken prisoner," said
Umslopogaas.

I answered that I feared so, but that I would give him another fifteen
minutes and then, if he did not appear, I proposed to order an advance,
hoping to find the enemy where we had last seen them from the top of the
mountain.

The fifteen minutes went by also, and as I could see that the Amahagger
captains who sat at a little distance were getting very nervous, I
picked up my double-barrelled rifle and turned round so t