air.

The Tonga natives of the neighbourhood, who had burned most of the
woodwork in order to secure the precious iron bolts and fittings,
informed us that the white man and his servants who were with the wagon
had gone forward on foot some ten days before, driving their cattle with
them. Whether this story were true or not we had no means of finding
out. It was quite possible that Pereira and his companions had been
murdered, though as we found the Tongas very quiet folk if well treated
and given the usual complimentary presents for wayleaves, this did not
seem probable. Indeed, a week later our doubts upon this point were
cleared up thus.

We had reached a big kraal called Fokoti, on the Umkusi River, which
appeared to be almost deserted. We asked an old woman whom we met where
its people had gone. She answered that they had fled towards the borders
of Swaziland, fearing an attack from the Zulus, whose territories began
beyond this Umkusi River. It seemed that a few days before a Zulu impi
or regiment had appeared upon the banks of the river, and although there
was no war at the time between the Zulus and the Tongas, the latter had
thought it wise to put themselves out of reach of those terrible spears.

On hearing this news we debated whether it would not be well for us to
follow their example and, trekking westwards, try to find a pass in the
mountains. Upon this point there was a division of opinion among us.
Marais, who was a fatalist, wished to go on, saying that the good Lord
would protect us, as He had done in the past.

"Allemachte!" answered the Vrouw Prinsloo. "Did He protect all those who
lie dead at Marais's camp, whither your folly led us, mynheer? The good
Lord expects us to look after our own skins, and I know that these Zulus
are of the same blood as Umsilikazi's Kaffirs, who have killed so many
of our people. Let us try the mountains, say I."

Of course her husband and son agreed with her, for to them the vrouw's
word was law; but Marais, being, as usual, obstinate, would not give
way. All that afternoon they wrangled, while I held my tongue, declaring
that I was willing to abide by the decision of the majority. In the end,
as I foresaw they would, they appealed to me to act as umpire between
them.

"Friends," I answered, "if you had asked me my opinion before, I should
have voted for trying the mountains, beyond which, perhaps, we might
find some Boers. I do not like this story of the Zulu impi