s name, are you doing here,
and why is your face black?" Hans, forgetting for the moment that he
had blackened his face with mud, and that though the water had partly
washed off that which had been on his legs, still they had a very
Kaffir-like tinge about them, whilst his hair was so matted with mud,
that it was unlike a white man's, burst out laughing at the remark of
the Dutchman.

"My face may be black," he replied, "but I am Hans Sterk, a true-born
Africander."

"You Hans Sterk!" said the other with incredulity. "We heard he was
killed with the two Uys." "You Hans Sterk!" the man repeated, as he
came nearer, and examined Hans closely, "and how did you escape? You
must be a Dutchman by your speech, though in the dim light of the
morning I took you for a Kaffir spy, wearing the clothes of some of
Retief's murdered men. Come to the fire and let us hear your story."

"Let me eat and drink first," said Hans. "I have been two days without
food, and have travelled on foot at a rate that would have puzzled an
ostrich. Then, when I'm washed, you shall hear of my escape. But tell
me the news. How came you here? and have all my people escaped?"

"We are out on patrol from the Bay, for we, too, were defeated when your
people were; and we came up yesterday to pick up any stragglers. Your
people have gone back to Bushman's river, but it is bad for them. Their
cattle are swept away, and they have little or no food. Their crops are
destroyed, and they dare not again attack the Zulus, at least not till
they get more help."

Having gained this information, Hans commenced his meal, which consisted
of grilled buffaloe. He knew there was a journey before him, so he did
not eat to excess; but, having taken sufficient to satisfy his immediate
craving for food, he inquired for the nearest stream, and, accompanied
by the white men, soon washed off his disguise, and showed himself in
his natural colours.

"Then all those Kaffirs are from Natal Bay?" inquired Hans.

"Yes, these are our Kaffirs," replied the Dutchman. "There were many
Kaffirs killed in the battle, and these men have come up to look after
any of their friends who may be hidden hereabouts. Our people had a
greater defeat than yours, and we lost ten or twelve white men, whilst
hundreds of our Kaffirs were killed."

"How is it that you don't fear a strong party coming now?" inquired
Hans; "for I was followed to within three miles of this place by a party