him, and
amidst her tears and kisses thanked him as the preserver of her sister
and Hans. The two men, though less demonstrative, were not less sincere
in their welcome, and for a few minutes they could think of nothing but
gratitude to their preserver, and thankfulness for their escape.

"How did you manage to return so soon, Bernhard?" inquired Hans: "we
feared you could not return under a week."

"I luckily came across all our people as they were out on a patrol.
They expected some Matabili might be coming near them to spy, and so
they came out in a large body, both to hunt and to look out for an
enemy. We are not safe any where from Moselekatse, and unless we give
him a lesson, we shall be eaten up by him. What weapon is this?"
exclaimed Bernhard, as he saw the long lance which Hans had made with
the blade of the Matabili's assagy and the bamboo stick.

Hans explained how he had made it, and how effective it had proved
against their assailants, whilst he led Bernhard round the small rock,
and showed him the method he had adopted to make his retreat secure.
All his expedients were fully appreciated by Bernhard, who listened
attentively to Hans' description of the Bushmen's death, the attempt of
the Matabili to cast rocks upon him, and their last endeavour to climb
the rock by aid of trees.

"The rock is not easy to ascend even when friends help you," said
Bernhard; "and when you are to be rewarded with a thrust from that lance
the instant you reach the summit, it is no wonder the Matabili did not
get up. You could not have slept much, Hans, during the last three
nights, nor have you had very good dinners. When the men all come back
from finishing those rascals, we will have a good feast; and you must
tell the Mensch all your adventures. We have been lucky, Hans: few men
go through such scenes as we have, and live to tell it. Poor Katie
looks worn out, and no wonder; and her sister too is ill. But we have
horses for them to ride home, and they shall sleep in peace to-night,
for there will be plenty to watch."

The hunters who had followed the Matabili returned slowly from the
pursuit, but at length all of them assembled around or on the rock.
Much interest and curiosity were manifested by them all to examine the
means which had enabled Hans to hold out against such overwhelming odds.
Each hunter appreciated the strength of the place after he had climbed
up the rock; and so formidable was this ascent, that