last acknowledged that he had caught sight of a figure, just before
daybreak, some little distance from the camp, going to the northward.

Further search was made, and Denis not appearing, his father and
Hendricks determined to set off in quest of him, in the direction he was
supposed to have gone, leaving orders with their followers to get
breakfast ready and to prepare for inspanning directly they returned.

"I fancy that my first suspicions are correct, and that your boy wants
to prove how able he is to accompany you," observed the latter. "If he
appears loaded with venison, it will be difficult to persuade him to the
contrary."

"Faith! the young rascal has spirit enough, but his strength is not
equal to it," answered Maloney. "If I take him with me, he'll be
getting into mischief; whether, therefore, he appears loaded with
venison or empty handed, nolens volens, I'll send him back with you."

While they were speaking, the sound of footsteps was heard coming up
behind them. They both turned expecting to see Master Denis; but
instead, little Unozingli the white boy, or Lionel, as Hendricks called
him, came running up to them.

"What brings you after us, boy?" asked Hendricks in Zulu.

"To help the masters find my white brother," answered the boy. "I know
the way he has taken, for I saw his footsteps on the grass, though the
master may not have discovered them. We shall find him in time, but he
may already be some distance away."

"I will trust you, boy, and am glad you came," said Hendricks. "But how
is it you are so confident of finding him?"

"Because I have often gone out with my Zulu masters to search for game,
and sometimes to follow their enemies, and I know the signs on the
ground which guided them. Here the grass pressed, there a twig broken
off, or a stone moved, or the mark of feet on the sand or soft earth."

"You understand what is wanted, I see. Come with us," said Hendricks.
Then turning to his companion, he added, "The boy's wits have been
sharpened by his life with the blacks. I have always noted that when a
white man has the same necessity for acquiring knowledge as savages, he
always surpasses them. In course of time, had that boy continued with
the Zulus, he would have become a great chief among them, and would
probably have made himself a terror to the settlers, had any cause of
quarrel arisen. It's an ill wind that blows no one good, and it's
fortunate for him as well as for