are allowed to
marry until the regiment to which they belong has distinguished itself
in battle they are naturally always burning for war. The
Pieter-Maritzburg paper says that it understands that Sir Bartle Frere
is about to send in an ultimatum, demanding--in addition to various
small matters, such as the punishing of raiders across the frontier--the
entire abandonment of the present system of the Zulu army, and cessation
of the bloody massacres which constantly take place in that country. If
a man offends the king, not only is he put to death, but the whole of
the people of his village are often massacred. Altogether an abominable
state of things prevails; there seems to be but one opinion throughout
the colony, that it is absolutely necessary for our safety that the Zulu
organisation shall be broken up."

"I see," Mr Jackson said, "that there is an advertisement in the papers
for waggons for the transport of stores, and the price offered is
excellent. A large number are required; I was thinking of sending down
my two teams--what do you think?"

"I have been turning it over in my mind," Mr Humphreys replied, "and I
am inclined also to offer my waggons. The rate of pay is, as you say,
high, and they certainly will have a difficulty in obtaining the number
they require. I shall not have need for mine for home purposes for a
considerable time now. The hot weather will soon be setting in, and
planting is over for the season. I shall of course go on digging holes
for my next batch, but I shall not want them up until after the end of
the hot season. So I think, as I can spare them, I shall hire them to
government. I think we ought all to do what we can to aid it at
present, for every one agrees as to the necessity of the steps it is now
taking."

"And do you think that there will be any fighting, father?" Dick asked
eagerly.

"That no one can say, my boy. The Zulus are a proud as well as a brave
people, and believe that they are invincible. I hardly think that they
will consent to break up their army and abandon their customs at our
dictation; I should not be surprised if it comes to fighting."

"Oh, father, if you hire the waggons to government, may I go with them?
I can see that the Kaffirs look after the oxen, you know, and that
everything goes straight. I have picked up a little Kaffir from Joel,
and can manage to make them understand."

"Well, Dick," Mr Humphreys said, after a little thought, "I d