"Go on. Only remember if you humbug us, then,--good-night." And Dick
touched the helpless man's head with the muzzle of his pistol, as an
earnest of what was to come.

"You go on up dere," went on the Kafir. "Two tree--Kafir-boen--over
rock. Rock hang over hole--same as place where we take you. Vunisa--
Pahlandhle--they hide there--wait till _Amapolise_ done killing Kafir--
then they get away. You take them same as we take you--easily."

Now Dick Selmes remembered. The voice, the face, came back to him.
Why, this was the English-speaking Kafir who had ordered them to read
the despatches, and had directed the torture of Sandgate because they
refused. Had the fellow been armed, and fighting, he would have shot
him with infinite satisfaction, as the recollection of that ghastly
experience came back. But it was manifestly out of the question to
shoot an unarmed and helpless man; besides, this one was giving him
information which set all his blood tingling with the prospect of a
glorious adventure--if it were true. If so, and it were carried out
successfully, such a feat was bound to procure sure and rapid promotion
to the four young Police troopers with him.

"I know the spot he means, Selmes," said one of these, a Colonial-born
man, who understood veldt-craft and spoke the Xosa language fluently.
"And I think he's very likely telling the truth."

"Oh, I tell truth," said the wounded man. "Dey not my chiefs--and
Pahlandhle eat up my cattle. I like to see him shot."

"If you've told us a lie, that's what you'll be," said Dick, "you may
take your oath upon that. We'll come back for you, never fear."

"Oh, I not fear," said the other, easily. "If you grab chiefs, I like
to join Police as 'tective. How that?"

"That's for the Commandant. But I expect he'll take you on," answered
Dick, airily. "Come along, you chaps. We'll bag these two, or not go
back at all."

"Rather," was the unanimous answer. As we have said, Dick Selmes was
exceedingly popular in the Force since he had been its guest. He put on
no "side" whatever, and had shown rare pluck whenever opportunity for
such had occurred. These four would have followed him anywhere; the
more mad and dare-devil the adventure the better.

"Now, Sketchley, you must be guide," he said to the Colonial man. "If
this fellow's lying, of course we'll come back and shoot him. Here--
what's your name?"

"Tolangubo. English--where I work before--call me