ng in the moonlight, and
played lovingly with them, and longed to possess them.

But the other side of the argument would obtrude itself. The mere
possession of arms breeds the desire to use them--and this holds good
especially of savages. He thought of the women and children scattered
about at different centres throughout the land, and realised, as he had
often done before, how any carefully planned, concealed and concerted
outbreak would simply spell massacre for the lot in a single night. He
thought of Verna--his Verna--and the land contained other people's
"Vernas." No, he could not do it. He knew, of course, that he could
send her out of the country at any time if things became too sultry--he
would receive ample warning. But that consideration struck home. He
could not do it.

"Where are you, father? Oh, there."

The sweet, clear, fluty voice came upon him like an omen, and then the
girl stepped to his side where he sat. One quick glance at the bag of
gold, another at her father's face, and instinct supplied the rest. She
knew his particular weakness, but she said nothing then.

"We were talking over a certain deal, dear, Undhlawafa and I. The terms
are good."

"Well, I've interrupted you. But to-morrow will do as well, won't it?"
she answered carelessly. "Let's go home."

The induna sat tranquilly taking snuff. He, for his part, felt pretty
sure that his offer would be closed with--if not to-night, why, then,
to-morrow. Verna, for her part, felt rather more sure that it would
not. But Ben Halse got up to leave, and the bag containing two hundred
golden sovereigns still remained in the possession of Undhlawafa.

CHAPTER SIX.

THE POLICE.

Sergeant Meyrick and First Class Trooper Francis, of the Natal Police,
were riding at a foot's pace along the rough and sandy waggon track
which skirts the Lumisana forest, and they were proceeding northward.

Both men were excellent samples of that efficient corps: young,
athletic, hard as nails. Neither was of colonial birth, but had been
some years in the force, and by now thoroughly knew their way about.
To-day they were doing a patrol, for which purpose they had started from
their isolated station the previous afternoon and had camped in the
veldt towards midnight. A thick mist, which had come down during the
small hours, blotting out everything, had delayed their morning start.
Now it had rolled back, revealing great bushy Slopes, and rocks