however, was that some outlying party might be concealed
along the ridge of the bluff; and from these it would be difficult to
escape, as I should probably come on them within assagy-throw before I
saw them. In cover, the man who remains still has an immense advantage
over another who is moving about. The man who moves cannot do so
without making a noise; and, in cover, where the extent of one's vision
is limited, the ears often discover what the eyes cannot perceive. All
animals which live in the forest, therefore, possess large ears, which
enable them to hear well all that is going on round them. The leopard,
bush-cat, etc, remain still and watchful when in the forest and watching
for their prey. If they moved about, even their stealthy tread would be
audible, and the animal which they wished to capture would be alarmed,
and would escape. I knew the danger I incurred in moving through the
bush, but there was no help for it.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

I had made my way along the coast till I was past the Umbilo river, and
was crossing some tolerably open ground, when I saw before me a large
party of Caffres. I halted to examine them, and instantly saw that they
were not Zulus. Although I did not wish to again join any tribe, and
perhaps be compelled to remain with them, yet a few friends to back one
up, when pursued by an armed party of Zulus, would do one no harm. I at
once made up my mind to advance to this party and claim their
protection. As I approached them they uttered exclamations of surprise,
and one man came forward quickly, and when near enough to be recognised,
I saw he was a young chief called Eondema, who had fought with me when I
came into this country with the Umzimvubu Caffres against the Zulus.
Eondema expressed the greatest surprise at seeing me, and began asking
me a multitude of questions. I, however, told him there was no time to
talk now, as I was pursued by a party of Zulus, and that we must be
prepared either to run, or to stop and fight. On looking at the party
with Eondema, I believed them equal in numbers with the Zulus; and as I
possessed my gun and plenty of ammunition, I had no fear of our side
getting the worse of a battle. Eondema spoke to his men, and they all
agreed to fight; and the only thing, therefore, to be done now was to
make our plans, so that we should take the Zulus at a disadvantage. The
rapidity with which arrangements were made showed that Eondema's young
men