be able to return in half that time, and
with as efficient a force as could be expected. Reflecting upon the
probable results of the morrow, he sank to sleep, and enjoyed a night's
rest undisturbed by any of the numerous sounds that broke the silence of
the wilderness.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

THE FIGHT FOR LIFE--GRAND ATTACK OF THE MATABILI--HELP ARRIVES--THE
MEETING OF OLD FRIENDS--RETREAT FROM THE STRONGHOLD.

"They may yell, Victor," exclaimed Hans, "but they have not taken us
yet: at least fifty of them will not see to-morrow's sun rise, before
they capture us. If we had only half a dozen more _Mensch_ here, we
would give them a lesson; or if we had an unlimited supply of
ammunition. Now I dare not fire a shot unless I am certain of my man;
so we cannot be as dangerous as we otherwise should be. When these new
arrivals come, they will try to scale our stronghold, and we shall then
have to use our long spears again."

In half an hour the reinforcement had joined their dark brethren, and
there was evidently a consultation going on in the ravine below: there
was much talking audible, whilst the men did not show themselves in the
neighbourhood. After a time there was a sound as if trees were being
felled, and Hans and Victor then knew some plan was going to be put in
practice against them. They were not long left in doubt, for, upon a
loud yell being uttered, five parties of Matabili, each consisting of
above twenty men, rushed towards the rocks, each carrying a slender tree
about forty feet in length. These they had cut, and left a few branches
on, so that they could be easily climbed. The trees were to be placed
against the face of the rock, and in fact were not a bad imitation of a
scaling-ladder.

"Our guns for this, Victor," said Hans; "let us thin them as they come;
then our spears as they come within reach of them."

To men fighting for their lives as were the two Dutchmen, a shot was a
matter of deep importance; and so steady was their aim, that after four
discharges the bearers of two of the trees had suffered so severely that
they retreated precipitately to the cover of the bush. The others,
however, placed theirs upright against the rock, and had they been able
to ascend three or four abreast, the fate of Hans and his party would
soon have been decided; the Matabili, however, would not quit their
shields or spears, and therefore, with only one hand to aid them, and
being able to ascend merely