It would be better to
slaughter them at once than to let them fall into the hands of the
savages," he added.

It was resolved therefore to keep them another day. Crawford had not
neglected his little zebra, which, as it was able to live on milk, was
better off than any other of the creatures, although the supply afforded
by the poor cows, for whom a small amount of fodder had been reserved,
was becoming less and less.

Another night approached. The garrison were beginning to get worn out
with watching, although they had to make no great exertions in other
respects.

"I suppose we shall have another night's useless watching," observed
Crawford; "I don't believe that the Zulus will venture to attack the
fort."

"Don't trust to that belief, Mr Crawford," said Vermack. "If they
don't come to-night, they will to-morrow or the next day; perhaps in the
day-time, if they think that we are off our guard; but it is our
business to expect that they will come to-night."

The old Dutchman refused to turn in, though it was not his watch, and
wrapped in his blanket he took his post on the platform.

The night was cloudy and unusually dark. Denis had bestowed Raff as a
parting gift on Percy, who had taken the dog up with him.

For some time Raff lay perfectly still, but at length he rose from his
recumbent position, and began to move away to the right side of the
fort.

Percy observing this followed him, and on his way he found Vermack going
in the same direction. Presently Raff gave a low growl, then another,
and began to run backwards and forwards.

"Go, Mr Percy, and call out all the men: depend upon it the Zulus are
not far off," whispered Vermack. "I'll keep post here. They think to
take us by surprise."

Percy rushed off to do as he was requested. He fortunately met Lionel,
who hastened to call his father. He had just aroused the garrison, when
the sound of Vermack's gun showed that he had seen something to fire at.

Most of the men, led by Captain Broderick, sprang up to that side of the
fort, just in time to encounter a shower of assegais, and to see a dozen
dark heads rising above the stockade. Few, however, got higher; for
Vermack, clubbing his musket, struck out right and left, hurling down
the greater number into the ditch, while the rest were shot or struck
down by the other men in the same fashion. The garrison now opened fire
on the mass of dark objects moving about below them. While thus
engag