the habit of mixing for years, and who were
known as the good shot, the brave rider, and the generous-hearted
friend, had been slaughtered with wife and children, their mangled
corpses being found near those of their family. War in most aspects is
bad, but this was a mere wanton massacre; and it was only natural that
but one cry should arise from the men, old and young, and also from the
women: that cry was vengeance, retribution for all this. "We have the
power to teach the barbarian that he cannot slaughter us with impunity,
and that mere numbers will not avail. Let us arm and invade his
territory," was the exclamation; and this being the general wish, a
party of about 400 men was hastily assembled, and placed under the
direction of an experienced and gallant leader, Piet Uys, seconded by
Potgieter, and was soon ready for the expedition.

Hans and his two friends joined this party, and were anxious to revenge
the losses of their friends and relatives.

It was in April, 1838, that this party left the Klip river, and advanced
towards Zulu land. Each man was mounted and armed with a
double-barrelled gun, and supplied with ample ammunition; and
considering the foe against whom they were advancing was armed only with
spears, the result of the conflict did not seem for a moment doubtful.
The savage, however, as we have found to our cost in Africa and New
Zealand, is crafty and practical; he knows both his strength and his
weakness, and he appears to know the weak points of our routine system;
of these he takes advantage, and not unusually for a long time sets us
at defiance.

The party of Boers rode on steadily from their lager at Klip river
towards Zulu land. Rivers were crossed, and plains and bush traversed,
whilst every caution was taken to guard against surprise. The first
night's halting-place was reached, and the party bivouacked, having
appointed sentries and reliefs, and detailed the position for each man
to occupy in case of attack.

It was a singularly wild scene, this bivouack of some 400 experienced
hunters. There were among them lion and elephant hunters, men who had
lived for years by the chase; there were others who had fought in
several wars against the Amakosa Kaffirs, and had witnessed strange
scenes in the land.

"We shall capture all the lost cattle and horses," said the veteran Uys,
as he approached Hans, who was cleaning his guns and examining his
bullets.

"Yes; and revenge Retief's mu