a ravine, which their horses
could not get over. At this time Uys the leader was badly wounded, and
his horse sinking under him, he called to his followers to escape,
though he could not. At this time Hans' horse received a second wound,
and he, finding it could carry him no longer, and that hundreds of the
enemy were rushing up to finish the work they had begun on the gallant
Uys, he jumped from his horse, and rushed into the ravine, the side of
which was densely wooded; and thus, whilst the Zulus were occupied in
slaying Uys and his son, who would not leave his father, Hans managed to
run or force his way through the underwood, and reached a slope beyond,
from which none of his enemies or friends could be seen.

The main body of the Dutch, having cleared a way for themselves by
shooting all the Zulus who opposed them, rode on at a gallop till they
had cleared the ravine and bushy ground near Dingaan's kraal, and
obtained a position in the plains where the Zulus dared not follow them,
even had the Dutch waited for them; but finding that the Zulus were a
more powerful enemy than they had imagined, and hearing from those of
their party who had followed Uys that he, his son, and one or two others
had been killed, amongst whom Hans was stated to be, the farmers became
disheartened, and returned at once to their head-quarters.

Several of the farmers had seen Hans' horse badly wounded, and when they
had escaped from Uys and his son, they saw Hans leave his horse and
enter the ravine on foot. They believed he would have no chance of
escape, for the enemy were in hundreds, and they therefore reported
without hesitation that he was killed, for they believed he must be so.
Had either Victor or Bernhard believed that he was still alive, they
would have been disposed to venture back in the hope of aiding their
friend; but hearing he was dead, they knew they could be of no service,
and therefore rode on with their companions.

Upon reaching their head-quarters, and reporting the loss of their
gallant leader, his son, and a few others, there was great grief at the
lager. All who knew Hans liked him, and expected him some day to be a
useful guide to them in all matters of war; so that he was bewailed by
all. Katrine bore her grief silently; she would not move from her
waggon, and sat rigid and corpse-like for hours, refusing all
consolation, and asserting her belief that Hans was not dead.

The emigrants immediately sent mes