aring to follow. The current
was carrying them down, but not very rapidly, so that they would land at
a point not far below that on the opposite bank from which they had
started.

He at once returned to report what he had seen. Captain Broderick had
by this time come back to the front of the house. There were
fortunately two white men, as well as the Hottentots, and several
faithful Kaffirs within call. He ordered Rupert at once to bring out
the arms and put them into the hands of the Kaffirs, whom he knew he
could trust. The white men had brought their rifles, and by the time
the Zulus had landed, he had a dozen men, besides himself and Denis and
his two sons, ready to defend those to whom he had promised protection,
should their enemies attempt to take them. Having drawn them up on the
inside of the moat in front of the house, he waited to see how the Zulus
would proceed. As soon as they had landed and shaken themselves dry,
they looked about as if expecting to see the fugitives; then guessing
that they had taken shelter in the farm, they advanced towards it, until
they came in sight of the force prepared to receive them. Their leader,
a chief of some consideration, judging by the cow-tails hanging round
his neck, and the feathers in his head-dress, advanced and began an
address to Captain Broderick.

"The Zulus and the white men are brothers," he said. "The enemies of
the one are the enemies of the other. How comes it then that I see the
white chief in arms against us? We have long been seeking one who is a
traitor to his country, and who has defied our king Panda, the lion of
the world, and I desire to know whether he is still flying across the
country, or has been received into the house of our friend. If he has,
we demand that he may be delivered up to us forthwith, to be treated as
he deserves."

Captain Broderick listened patiently until the chief had come to an end.

"I wish to be friends with the Zulus, as well as with all the people
among whom I live," said the captain. "I have no desire to protect any
one because he is an enemy to the Zulus, but I cannot allow any injury
to be inflicted on persons who have rendered essential service to those
dear to me. There is no one in this house I can consent to deliver up
to you, and therefore if you expect it you must go away disappointed. I
have said it, it is useless to ask more."

The chief, on hearing this, looked very angry, and muttered someth