attle we capture a tenth part
shall be the Swallow's. Still, I tell you this, that had it not been for
the omen of the diviner I would have refused your prayer and delivered
you and the Swallow over to Bull-Head, for with him I have sworn
friendship long ago. But now the face of things is changed, and should
he come with a hundred men armed with guns yet I will protect you from
him, and the Swallow also; yes, though oaths must be broken to do it."

When they heard this saying, Suzanne and Sihamba looked at each other in
dismay.

"Alas!" said Suzanne, "it seems that we do but change one prison for
another, for now we must be borne away to the far north to do battle
with this Kaffir chief, and there be left among your people, so that
none will know what has become of us, and the heart of Ralph will break
with doubt and sorrow; yes, and those of my parents also."

"It is bad," answered Sihamba, "but had not yonder diviner dreamed that
dream of a swallow, it would have been worse. Better is it to travel in
all honour with the impis of Sigwe than to be dragged back by Bull-Head
to his secret kraal--I to be done to death there and you to the choice
of which you know. For the rest we must take our chance and escape when
the time comes, and meanwhile we will send a message to the stead."

Now Suzanne heard her, and sat upon the horse thinking, for her trouble
was sore; still, she could see no way out of the net which had meshed
her. As she thought, a man who was herding cattle on the mountains
ran up to the chief and saluted him, saying that five men, one of them
white, rode towards his kraal. When Suzanne heard this she hesitated no
more, but cried out to the chief Sigwe, speaking in the Kaffir tongue,
which she knew well:

"Chief Sigwe, swear to me that you will not suffer Bull-Head so much as
to touch me or my sister Sihamba, and that while we dwell with you you
will treat us with all honour, and I, who am named Swallow, yes, I,
the White Swallow of the diviner's dream, will lead your armies to the
northern land, bringing you the good fortune which is mine to give to
others, though myself I know it not."

"I swear by the spirits of my fathers, lady," answered Sigwe, "and these
my counsellors and headmen swear it also."

"Yes," echoed the counsellors, "we swear it, all of it, and while one
of us is left alive the oath shall be fulfilled, O White Bird of good
omen."

Then Sigwe gave an order, and at his bidding five h