va, the pomegranate, and many a sweet-scented bush pushed upwards
their luxuriant undergrowth. The bees were humming among the
sweetly-scented flowers of the dholicos, and the rushing sound of the
river, as it took its way to the sea past the fort of Senna, was music
to the ears of the two travellers.

"Give them their due, Wyzinski, and let us be rid of them; I hate the
very look of an Amatonga," exclaimed Hughes.

The group of savages sat round, staring at the two with a steady,
concentrated gaze, their long assegais raised in the air, "Matumba,"
said the powerful, but stunted brave, who had been in command of the
party, speaking with difficulty the Zulu tongue, "Matumba has done his
duty, let the chiefs do theirs. Yonder are the walls of their
brethren's fort."

The missionary did not at once reply, but pushing the promised arms
towards the speaker, took from his belt his revolver, discharging its
barrels into the air, handed it to the Amatonga.

"This is now Umhleswa's property, and thus the white man fulfils his
promise."

"We are left with our two rifles and one revolver between us," remarked
Hughes. "If ever I get the chance of paying off these thieves, won't
I?"

Matumba took the arm, and, turning to his men, distributed the rifles
among them. A sharp conversation followed, unintelligible to the
Europeans, save that the Amatonga pointed several times to the two
remaining rifles.

"The white men," resumed Matumba, once more turning to them, "are near
their friends. They have no need of their guns, the Amatonga are far
from their kraal. Let them give the two guns, which are now useless."

"Never, Matumba," exclaimed Wyzinski, springing to his feet and cocking
both barrels of his piece. "Look out, Hughes, they mean mischief. We
have kept our word, Amatonga. Keep yours."

A sharp conversation ensued between the natives, all talking together,
the chief, Matumba, evidently trying to keep them within bounds, while
they as evidently wished to take the coveted rifles by force. Placing
their backs against the rocks, their rifles ready, the two waited the
result, but great was their relief when the whole party, after much
talking, at last moved off in Indian file, and disappeared under the
deepening forest shade.

"We are well out of that, Wyzinski," remarked Hughes, as he seated
himself at the foot of the rock, "and now, what are we to do next?"

"Break ground as soon and as speedily as possible.