g an inspiration. It seemed
to come; perhaps the devil finding it open whispered in his ear, at any
rate--in a few seconds his plan was formed, and he was walking through
the bush to meet Maputa.

"Go in peace, Chief," he said; "they seem to have treated you roughly up
yonder. Having no power to interfere, I came away for I could not bear
the sight. It is indeed shameful that an old and venerable man of rank
should be struck into the dirt, and beaten by a soldier drunk with
beer."

"Shameful, White Man!" gasped Maputa; "your words are true indeed. But
wait a while. I, Maputa, will roll that stone over, I will throw that
bull upon its back. When next the harvest ripens, this I promise, that
neither Nahoon nor Umgona, nor any of his kraal shall be left to gather
it."

"And how will you manage that, Maputa?"

"I do not know, but I will find a way. Oh! I tell you, a way shall be
found."

Hadden patted the pony's neck meditatively, then leaning forward, he
looked the chief in the eyes and said:--

"What will you give me, Maputa, if I show you that way, a sure and
certain one, whereby you may be avenged to the death upon Nahoon, whose
violence I also have seen, and upon Umgona, whose witchcraft brought
sore sickness upon me?"

"What reward do you seek, White Man?" asked Maputa eagerly.

"A little thing, Chief, a thing of no account, only the girl Nanea, to
whom as it chances I have taken a fancy."

"I wanted her for myself, White Man, but he who sits at Ulundi has laid
his hand upon her."

"That is nothing, Chief; I can arrange with him who 'sits at Ulundi.' It
is with you who are great here that I wish to come to terms. Listen: if
you grant my desire, not only will I fulfil yours upon your foes, but
when the girl is delivered into my hands I will give you this rifle and
a hundred rounds of cartridges."

Maputa looked at the sporting Martini, and his eyes glistened.

"It is good," he said; "it is very good. Often have I wished for such a
gun that will enable me to shoot game, and to talk with my enemies from
far away. Promise it to me, White Man, and you shall take the girl if I
can give her to you."

"You swear it, Maputa?"

"I swear it by the head of Chaka, and the spirits of my fathers."

"Good. At dawn on the fourth day from now it is the purpose of Umgona,
his daughter Nanea, and Nahoon, to cross the river into Natal by the
drift that is called Crocodile Drift, taking their cattle with them and
flyin