e free, so stretch your limbs, and be ready
for a battle for life and freedom."

"What is your plan, Hans?" said Victor; "let us hear."

"It is not my plan; it is Katrine's information. That ball of clay that
the girl threw contained a roll of paper from Katrine. This is what she
says:--

"`An hour after sundown, there will not be a man in the kraal, only six
boys to watch you and two old women to watch us. Free your arms and
make your escape; then your guns are in the chief's hut, the one with
the large ox-horns over the doorway, the horses are in the kraal next
the cow's kraal: we will be ready. The girl who takes this I have won
by presents. I leave to you, Hans, the plan: you may depend I tell you
truth; I have learned all this from the girl.'"

"And that was in the clay ball," exclaimed Victor. "Ah, Bernhard, we
are but stupid hands on the spoor. Hans, after all, is the born leader.
What made you think there was any thing in the ball, Hans?"

"I did not think the girl looked cruel," replied Hans, "and she seemed
acting a part as I looked at her."

"Let us make our plans now. What do you propose, Hans?" inquired
Victor.

"We will try my plan first, if that fail we will just rush out and drive
off the boys, and so escape. I must find out where the men are all
going to, for it depends on that where we ride to. Our horses may not
be very fit for a journey, however, and as we shall certainly be
followed, and our spoor will be as plain as a waggon-track, we must take
care; for once again captured, we shall never have another chance. Ah,
here comes the girl again."

The Matabili girl again came to the door, and with a loud laugh threw in
a handful of dirt which she had appeared to pick up from the
cattle-kraal near. Amidst this heap was another lump of clay, from
which Hans drew a piece of paper, and read, "I can give you no other
weapons than three assagies, these will be pushed through your hut soon
after sunset; look out for them and draw them in rapidly, so as not to
be seen. We must first ride _north_. God help us!"

"Katrine is better than gold," exclaimed Victor, "and I for one am glad
to be, running this risk for her, and will readily die without
complaint, if need be. She will be a fit wife for you, Hans."

A gratified smile passed over Hans' face as he heard Katrine thus spoken
of; but being more disposed to discuss with his companions any other
subject than the merits of his beloved K