xperiences of a hunter's life had taught our young
adventurers were indispensable on an expedition.

The nwana-tree was to be felled across the bar, so as to block up the
approach to the peninsula. It would form a barricade behind which an
enemy could be efficiently opposed. Swartboy produced the axes, and the
hunters set to work to cut down the tree,--two working at a time, and in
turns relieving each other. At every blow the axes were buried in the
soft spongy wood. A grand gingerbread cake could not have yielded more
readily to their efforts.

Fortunate that it was so, as they believed that their safety depended on
felling this forest monarch before the arrival of the Matabili. The
latter could not be far-off, and every exertion was made to get the
fortress ready for receiving the attack. There was a doubt as to the
direction the tree would take in falling. Should it topple over into
the water, their labour would be lost, and the way would be open for the
Matabili to reach them by a rush. Should it fall across the isthmus, it
would form an insurmountable barrier to their enemies. In silence and
with intense interest did the Makololo stand watching for the result.
At length the tree began to move; slowly at first, but as they gazed
upon its trembling top, they could see that it was going to come down in
the right direction. Gaining velocity as it got lower, a swishing sound
was made by its branches as they passed through the air; and then the
gigantic mass struck the ground with a crash, till its huge trunk lay
stretched across the isthmus, filling it from side to side, with the
exception of a few feet at each end. They had now a barricade that
could not be easily broken, if but manfully defended. They were ready
to receive the attack of the foe.

They would not have long to wait. As night came down, large fires were
observed in the distance. The Matabili had evidently arrived, and were
probably waiting for day, to obtain a knowledge of their position before
they should commence the attack. Before taking their stand by the
river, Macora had called for four volunteers to proceed by stealth from
the spot, and if possible reach some neutral tribe that might come to
his rescue. He was now in a position from which he could not move
without the certainty of being defeated and of course destroyed. He
might be able to maintain it for several days; and knowing that his
enemies would not raise the siege until