s was not to be neglected: a rush was made
to Hans' waggon, where Victor had reined in his panting steed, and a
hundred men were eagerly inquiring what was the danger.

"The whole Zulu army is upon us," shouted Victor. "Retief and all his
party are murdered. Between us and the Zulus not a Dutchman is left
alive. Men, women, and children are all slain."

Shrieks of horror from the women and cries of vengeance from the men
greeted this intelligence, whilst an organised defence was hastily
arranged. The waggons were brought together and formed into a square,
whilst brushwood was cut to fill up the intervals. A three-pounder gun
was mounted on a waggon, and pointed in the direction from which the
enemy was expected. Guns and ammunition having been served out to all
who could use them,--even the females tended their services as loaders
of spare guns,--and the party having sent out mounted spies, they waited
in momentary expectation of being attacked.

Victor had now time to give a detailed account of the events which had
come to his knowledge, and which subsequent inquiry proved to be in the
main correct.

Retief, having entered the Natal district with his party, decided after
some time to visit the residence of the Zulu chief, in order to
negotiate a treaty of peace, and, if possible, to obtain from him a
grant or sale of land. An English missionary, Mr Owen, was resident at
the kraal of Dingaan, and believed he had so influenced the mind of the
monarch that a friendly reception would be given to the Dutchmen. The
mind of a savage despot is, however, very intricate, and neither Retief
nor the missionary had any idea of the plot that was working in the
chief's mind. After having welcomed Retief and his party, Dingaan
agreed to yield a large portion of land to his friends, the white men,
when they had proved themselves friends, and they were to prove their
friendship by retaking from Sikonyella a quantity of cattle which this
chief, a Mantatee, had captured from the Zulus.

This Retief promised to do, and having first sent messengers to
Sikonyella, demanding restitution, they made preparations for attacking
him in case of his refusal.

Sikonyella immediately gave up about seven hundred head of cattle, as
well as horses and guns, some of which he had taken from parties of
farmers, and Retief returned with these, and with a party of about
seventy of his best-mounted and best-equipped young men.

Dingaan again w