apon that threatened them. Then, not even the certainty of a swift
death could avail to repress the sudden start and half-stifled cry of
rage and mortification which escaped them. For Gerard, having covered
about half the distance towards the outlying span of oxen had now
suddenly turned and was riding back at full gallop towards the line of
bush.

"Don't move--don't move!" repeated Dawes, and the ominous flash in his
eyes was sufficient. Immovable as statues, the two Zulus squatted.
Then a sound of distant neighing was heard, and in a few minutes Gerard
was seen to emerge from the bushes, leading a second horse. It was the
missing Mouse.

Still Dawes did not alter his position, nor did he suffer his prisoners
to. He heard his young companion arrive and tie up the horses. He
heard him climb into the waggon; then, when he saw him at his side armed
with the other gun, he spoke.

"Since when have the Zulu people become thieves, and the son of a chief
a common _ishinga_! [rascal] I have always boasted that in the Zulu
country my property was safer than even among my own people, but I can
do so no more, since my horse was stolen by the son of a chief, and his
father connived at the theft." The tone, the words, bitter and
scathing, seemed to sting them like a lash.

"You have found your horse, not we, Jandosi, that is all," retorted
Nkumbi-ka-zulu with a scowl of sullen hate. "How did we know he was
there any more than you did yourself? You have found your horse--be
content."

"I promised your father certain things, Nkumbi, if he found the horse.
He has _sent it back_ and I will keep my word. But he deserves to
receive nothing at all; nor will I ever again trade in his district."

Then he lowered his piece and instructed Gerard to fetch out the
articles agreed upon. In silence the Zulus received them. Rage and
shame was depicted on their countenances, and their efforts to laugh off
the situation were a dead failure. Among the Bantu race nothing is more
disconcerting than to be caught lying, and these two scions of it felt
extremely foolish accordingly.

"_Whau_! Jandosi," mocked Nkumbi-ka-zulu. "We are only two, armed with
spears and kerries. You have fire-weapons, and four Amakafula. Yet we
fear you not. Come forth from your waggons, you alone. Leave the
fire-weapons behind and bring sticks, I will meet you hand to hand--man
to man--and we will fight it out. I who am only a boy."

But of this v