all speed the main body, who
would push on in hopes of overtaking the fugitives.

Hans and Victor watched the Matabili as all these proceedings were
carried on. They guessed what the doubts were which delayed the pursuit
of the spoor, and they counted with considerable anxiety the number of
the Matabili who were detailed for the purpose of examining the kloofs.
From the smallness of this party both men believed that the Matabili did
not consider it very probable that their captives were concealed
thereabouts, and they were also inclined to think that ten Matabili were
by no means a match for two Dutch Mensch armed with their trusty roers.

"We shall have a fight for it, Victor," said Hans; "and we ought not to
let one of these men escape, or they will bring a host of savages down
upon us before Bernhard can return with help. They don't know where we
are, and so we shall have the full advantage of a surprise, and we
should, if possible, shoot so as to send our bullets through two men at
a time."

"See, they are going back to our last outspan, and will there try to
pick up our spoor; but even a Matabili will be puzzled to find any
traces that the heavy rains have not washed out. It will be good to tie
up some powder and bullets in cartridges," continued Hans; "we shall
want quick loading; and let us take care not to both fire at once,
unless in extremities,--then we shall always have two bullets ready for
them. We must kill or wound four Matabili with each barrel; and I think
a bullet cut into four, and two bits put on the top of each charge, will
be good; thus we shall do more than give one wound. We must not think
of the cruelty, Victor; for it is for life, and for those poor girls, we
fight. We shall be tortured and then killed like oxen if we are
defeated. Luckily the wind is not fair for the main body to hear our
guns, and a part of the hill is between us, or the report might bring
them all back again."

"Katrine," said Hans, "keep quiet in your cave, and on no account show
yourself. We shall have to fire some shots soon, but never fear for our
success."

"Is it the Matabili murderers again, Hans?" inquired Katrine. "I will
pray for you, Hans; but take care of yourself, and don't run more risk
than is necessary."

The Matabili who were left behind searched carefully for spoor, but
without success; they therefore advanced to the nearest kloof,
determined to search each of these in succession.

"In t