ried by the councillors of the tribe and
condemned to die as thieves, but the chief, who wanted servants, spared
their lives and set them to labour in his gardens, where they were
watched day and night.

Zinti was a prisoner among these Basutos for nearly a year, but at
length he made his escape, leaving his two companions behind, for they
were afraid lest if they ran away with him they should be recaptured and
killed. As soon as he was free Zinti continued his journey, for he was
a man not easily turned from his purpose, nor because it was now over a
year old did he cease from his attempt to deliver the message that had
been set in his mouth.

Well, after many dangers, footsore and worn-out with travelling, at
length he reached the stead, to find that we had all gone, none knew
whither, and that the long-nosed cheat to whom we had sold the farm
ruled in our place. Zinti sought out some Kaffirs who lived upon the
land, and abode with them awhile till he was rested and strong again.
Then once more he turned his face northward towards the mountain
Umpondwana, for though he greatly feared the journey, he knew that the
heart of Suzanne would be sick for news. War raged in the country that
he must pass, and food was scarce; still at length he won through,
although at the last he was nearly captured by Black Piet's thieves, and
one year and nine months after he had left it, a worn and weary figure,
he limped up the red rock path of Umpondwana.

Suzanne had been watching for him. It seems strange to say it, but after
six months had gone by, which time at the best must be given to his
journey, she watched for him every day. On the top of the highest and
most precipitous cliff of the mountain fortress of Umpondwana was a
little knoll of rock curiously hollowed out to the shape of a chair,
difficult to gain and dizzy to sit in, for beneath it was a sheer fall
of five hundred feet, which chair-rock commanded the plain southward,
and the pass where Van Vooren had spoken to Suzanne from his
hiding-place among the stones. By this pass and across this plain help
must reach her if it came at all, or so she thought; therefore in that
eagle's eyrie of a seat Suzanne sat day by day watching ever for those
who did not come. A strange sight she must have been, for now long ago
such garments as she had were worn to rags, so that she was forced to
clothe herself in beautiful skins fashioned to her fancy, and to go
sandal-footed, her lovely