d them to walk as they liked.

"I fear that my people in the camp, when they see you coming, will take
to flight," said Hendricks to the chief. "Let me go on first, and I
will tell them that you come as friends. Will you trust me?"

The chief looked at him. "Yes," he said, "I know that I can trust the
word of a white chief, and you may go forward."

"Halt here, then, for a few minutes, to give me time to get ahead of
you," said Hendricks, "and I will trust you also with my people, that
you will not injure them."

The chief, on this, ordered his followers to halt, while Hendricks went
on with rapid strides towards the camp. On his arrival, he found his
people in a state of great consternation, they having just caught sight
of the Zulus, and they confessed that in another minute they would have
fled, believing that he and those with him had been killed.

He managed, however, to quell their fears by the assurance that
Cetchwayo would not injure them, though he might delay their journey.
This was of greater consequence to him than to them. In a short time
the Zulus were seen advancing. On their arrival, the chief told
Hendricks that he must at once inspan and proceed towards Cetchwayo's
camp, which was much nearer than had been supposed. On Hendricks,
however, representing to him that he and his people had been without
meat the whole day, the chief consented to their waiting until some had
been cooked, observing that he would take charge of the remainder. He
did so, by dividing it among his followers, who forthwith lighted
several fires, and cooking it after their barbarous fashion, quickly ate
the whole of it up, scarcely leaving a few scraps for the hungry dogs.
This was not a little provoking to the hunters, but it allowed them some
time to rest and recover from the fatigue they all felt.

As soon as the feast was over, Hendricks gave the word to inspan. The
chief somewhat demurred on seeing his prisoners preparing to mount their
horses, naturally fearing that they would try to make their escape, but
on Hendricks assuring him that they would accompany him to Cetchwayo's
camp, he consented to their riding, though he took good care so to place
his people on either side, that they would have found it a difficult
matter to get off, even had they been so disposed.

CHAPTER NINE.

KING PANDA.

The band of Zulus, with the captives in their midst, were compelled to
move at a slow pace; for the Hottentot dr