may be supposed, they were a long time in making the search, and
although the Zulus are very indifferent to death, yet they were
naturally unwilling to go back and be killed. Denis earnestly hoped
that they would try and make their escape, for he justly feared that
should the prince once see blood flowing, like the savage tiger, he
would be even more ready than before to shed theirs.

At last the prince, growing impatient, ordered some men to go to the hut
and bring out the guards, either with or without the prisoner. The
unhappy wretches were quickly dragged forward.

"Where is the boy?" asked the prince.

No answer was given.

"Kill them!" he exclaimed; and in an instant some heavy clubs descended
on their heads, and each man lay in his blood, pierced by a dozen
assegais.

"It will be our turn next!" cried Denis. "Are you ready, Percy?"

"As much as I can be. How thankful I am that Lionel escaped!" As he
spoke, a dozen warriors with their assegais uplifted, still dripping
with the blood of their former victims, approached; but at that moment
there was a cry that some white men were coming, one of them waving a
flag.

"Hold!" exclaimed Umbulazi. "It will not be wise to kill the prisoners
just as their countrymen are coming. I would rather have them as
friends than enemies."

Denis, who heard him speak, felt his heart bound.

"I don't think we shall die just yet," he said to Percy, "for here come
Hendricks and Crawford and Umgolo, with a dozen armed men close behind
them."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE ESCAPE.

Denis and Percy, taking advantage of the excitement which the arrival of
Hendricks and his party caused among the Zulu warriors, rushed out from
their midst, and before any one could stop them, they darted away in the
direction their friends were coming. Lionel, who was among the first to
see them, uttering a shout of joy, galloped forward, followed by
Crawford.

"Jump up behind me," he cried to Denis, stretching out his hand. "We
possibly may have to run for it, if Hendricks and Umbulazi don't agree."

Percy at the same moment sprang up behind Crawford, while Hendricks,
ordering his party to halt, rode forward alone towards the prince,
keeping however his horse well in hand, and his rifle ready for instant
use.

"I come to salute you, Umbulazi, and to ask you why you detained my
young companions; but as they have been restored to me I will not enter
into that subject," he said, drawing u