y passed and night
arrived without any adventure.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

EXPEDITION OF THE MATABILI--HANS TELEGRAPHS TO KATRINE, AND RECEIVES HIS
ANSWER.

Immediately daylight enabled Hans to see the surrounding country, he
examined with his glass the kraals of the Matabili, both far and near.
Several objects attracted his attention, among which were some which
threatened the safety of himself and party. Several armed bodies of the
natives we're leaving the villages and departing hastily in various
directions, as though engaged on business of importance. Hans, aware of
the craftiness of his enemies, felt considerable uneasiness at these
numerous departures; for he was well aware that if the Matabili had by
chance discovered his hiding-place, they would not venture to attack him
except in overwhelming numbers, but would first ascertain for certain
that he was in the ravine; a fact which they would prove by examining
the ground in all directions and finding footmarks which led into the
kloof, but none which led out of it; then they would despatch several
small parties with orders to assemble at certain parts of the ravine and
there to form an ambuscade which was to intercept the retreat of Hans
and his companions.

The Matabili, like most of the natives of South Africa, were accustomed
to hunt the largest, most cunning, and fiercest animals, and from these
they had taken many hints; the buffalo, for example, when wounded would
retreat rapidly until out of sight, would then return and hide itself in
the bush not far from the place from which it originally started; the
hunter, unacquainted with the cunning of this creature, would probably
follow it rapidly in its first retreat and would be suddenly surprised
at finding himself within a few yards of the creature, which would
probably be in the act of charging him. Although Hans observed that all
the parties of the Matabili left their kraals, and moved in a contrary
direction to the kloof in which he was concealed, yet he was not
satisfied that they did not, when out of sight, turn, and make their way
back, so as to be ready to attack him immediately he and his companions
moved from their concealment. "The Matabili are moving early," said
Victor, as he joined Hans and watched the various armed parties
spreading over the country; "they must be going to attack our people."

"Some of them may possibly be sent to watch us; for they rarely give up
a spoor as plain as ours