l could have surprised the place, for armed
pickets were stationed all round at out lying distances.

"This is good, Mandevu," Sapazani was saying. "Now when we get them
among the trees and rocks will these do their work? For my part I like
not such way of fighting, but did not Opondo tell us of that nation in
the north--that which went forth under Umzilikazi? When they fought the
whites in the old way they were shot down before they could get near
enough to strike a blow, but when they waited for their enemy to come to
them in the mountains, instead of going to him first, then they killed
many with such as these. Ah, ah! and so it will be again."

"And when we have fought enough, and each killed our white man, there
are those across the seas who will give us peace," said Mandevu.
"Opondo has said it, and others."

"The White King is angry with the people of this land," went on
Sapazani. "He has withdrawn his soldiers, and there are only _Nongqai_
left. Those we shall easily eat up. They are scattered about in threes
and fours."

"I know not, brother. There are those who say that we shall not
surprise the whites, that they know more than we think they do--that
they can bring all the _Nongqai_ together in a moment, and pour other
forces upon us as well."

"Not if we all strike together. The people beyond Tukela should be able
to give them plenty to do while we eat up all the whites on this side."

"Not if our plans are made known to them as fast as they are laid,
brother," said Mandevu, meaningly. "There is treachery in our midst."

Sapazani's face grew grim, and he and the other continued their
conversation in a lower tone still. Then the chief gave some orders,
and in accordance therewith the rifles and pistols and ammunition were
carefully and cunningly hidden beneath the floors of two huts. And the
band prepared to march. No cheap "trade" guns were these, but
up-to-date magazine, .303's for the most part, and the ammunition was
mostly the deadly, expanding Dum-dum. The agency that caused all these
to be supplied--crafty, cruel, vengeful--may readily be guessed at.

The party filed through the gloom, the latter lighted here and there by
a silvery network of moonlight piercing through the tree-tops. All were
armed, but presently they would deposit their weapons in a safe
hiding-place just on the outskirts of the forest. There was not much
talk, and presently the glow of a fire was seen in front.