out a mile from the house, when
after posting their young masters behind a bush, Coffee and Chicory
whispered to them to watch, and then began to advance cautiously through
the grass, kiri in hand, their eyes glistening as they keenly peered
from side to side.

"What are they going to do?" said Dick.

"I don't know. Show us something. I wish we had brought our guns.
Look out!"

There was a whirring of wings, and the two Zulu boys struck attitudes
that would have been models for a sculptor; then as a large bird similar
to a partridge rose up, Coffee sent his knobbed club whizzing through
the air; another bird rose, and Chicory imitated his brother's act; and
the result was, that the cleverly thrown kiris hit the birds, which fell
in amongst the long grass, from which they were retrieved by the lads
with shouts of triumph--the birds proving to be the coranne, so called
from the peculiarity of their cry.

"Well done, boys!" cried Jack. "They'll be good eating."

"Boss Dick, Boss Jack take Zulu boys, now?" said the kiri-throwers,
eagerly.

"Why, of course. You know you are going," replied Dick.

"Dinny say Zulu boys not going," cried Chicory.

"Then Dinny knows nothing about it," said Dick, angrily. "If he don't
mind he'll be left behind himself."

Coffee sent his kiri spinning up in the air, Chicory followed suit, each
catching the weapon again with ease; and then they both dashed off
across the plain as if mad, and to the astonishment of the brothers, who
took the brace of birds and walked back towards the house, to continue
the preparations for the start.

For there was so much to do, packing the great long tilted waggon with
necessaries, in the shape of tea, sugar, coffee, and chocolate. Barrels
of mealies or Indian corn, and wheaten flour, besides. Salt too, had to
be taken, and a large store of ammunition; for in addition to boxes well
filled with cartridges, they took a keg or two of powder and a quantity
of lead. Then there were rolls of brass wire, and a quantity of showy
beads--the latter commodities to take the place of money in exchanges
with the natives--salt, powder, and lead answering the same purpose.

It was a delightful task to the boys, who thoroughly enjoyed the
packing, and eagerly asked what every package contained, when they had
no opportunity of opening it; while Mr Rogers looked on, smiling at the
interest they took.

"Here y'are, young gentlemen," said Dinny. "The masther se