o humbleness would help them in
face of the spears of Dingaan. The cattle were driven into the centre
kraal, and great supplies of grass and green corn were cut to feed them.
Except for one manhole the pass leading to the top of the mountain was
closed, and the schanzes, or walls, which protected the mouth of the
river that welled from the hillside between the eastern ridges were
strengthened and garrisoned. Here, as Sihamba knew, was their weak
place, for this river flowed out beneath the impregnable precipices of
rock, and to it they must look for their main supply of water, since,
although the spring upon the tableland, if husbanded, would suffice for
a supply to the tribe, it was not sufficient for the cattle. It was for
this reason that Sihamba wished to turn the kine loose and let the Zulus
capture them if they would, for she knew that then they could never take
the mountain or harm a hair of the head of one of its inhabitants. But
the Umpondwana were greedy, and would not consent to the loss of their
cattle, forgetting that cattle are of no value to dead men. They said
that they could very well defend the schanzes which surrounded the
source of the river, and that from it sufficient water could be carried
to keep the beasts alive, even if the siege were long.

"As you will," answered Sihamba shortly, "but see that you do defend
them when the Zulu warriors leap upon the walls, for if you fail then
you will lose cattle and life together."

All this time, according to her daily custom, Suzanne had been seated
in her chair of rock upon the highest point of the precipice looking for
that help which never came. Presently, as she watched with sad eyes, far
away upon the plain she saw a cloud of dust in which moved and shone
the sheen of spears. Now she climbed down from her seat, and ran to seek
Sihamba, whom she found surrounded by her councillors.

"What is it, Swallow?" asked the little chieftainess looking up, though
already she had guessed the answer.

Suzanne told her, adding, "Who can it be that travels towards the
mountain with so great a force?"

"Lady Swallow," said Sihamba gravely, "it is an army of the Zulus sent
by Dingaan to destroy us, and with them marches Bull-Head." And she told
her of the trick of the cattle and of what the messengers had seen.

Suzanne heard, and her face grew white as the goatskin cloak she wore.

"Then at last the long story is at an end," she faltered, for she knew
the terr