in a hurry. So, as soon as I can build a house, I shall many Katrine,
and settle quietly down here. We must take a hunt after the elephant,
though, now and then, Victor, just to get some ivory, for the gold is
thus easily procured. It was good to trek from the old colony, friends,
was it not?"

The party to which Hans had attached himself had been located some
months on the banks of the Bushmen's river, and had begun to gather some
of the produce of their agricultural labours. About the same period,
Retief, the leader of those emigrants who had gone further into the
country, paid a visit to the chief of the Zulus, the nation which lived
to the east of the Natal district.

It was a lovely, calm evening, early in February, that Hans, having
returned from a day's successful shooting, was sitting on the front of
his waggon cleaning his gun, and describing his day's sport to Katrine,
who was engaged knitting. In all directions round them waggons were
grouped, whilst large herds of cattle grazed on the surrounding hills
and in the valleys. Every thing looked peaceable, and suitable for
freedom and enjoyment, and each emigrant was rejoicing at the fair
prospect before him.

"We shall have a large addition to our forces from the colony," said an
emigrant named Uys, as he came to Hans' waggon and examined the fine
reitbok he had brought back with him; "for the news has gone down that
this country is very fine, and is full of game. Retief, too, will make
good terms with Dingaan, and that will enable us to live here quietly.
We have fought enough with the Amakosa and with Moselekatse; we should
now grow corn."

"Yes," replied Hans; "I must grow corn soon and in plenty, for I shall
marry in the winter, and therefore shall have two to feed."

"Where is Victor?" inquired Uys.

"He has gone down towards the coast to see his cousin there, and to
trade for a horse he wants. I hear the country down there is very fine,
and elephants come into the bush every year."

"Yes; that is the truth: there is game in plenty, and the forests
contain good timber. Cess, who is this riding over the hill? He will
kill his horse if he comes at that rate."

"It is Victor," said Hans. "Something must be wrong, or he would never
ride like that, and so near home."

As Victor approached the encampment he raised his hat and shouted, "To
arms, men; to arms for your lives!" Such a cry to a people who had long
had to deal with dangerous foe