enemy, their only misgiving being lest the wily sons of Xosa
should not afford them the chance.

In spite of his predilection for the dark-skinned barbarians aforesaid
and his preference for the ways of peace, there was something
wonderfully entrancing to Eustace Milne in this adventurous ride through
the hostile country, as they held on over hill and valley, keeping a
careful watch upon the long reaches of dark bush extending from the
forest land which they were skirting, and which might conceal hundreds--
nay thousands--of the savage foe lying in wait in his lurking place for
this mere handful of whites--a something which sent a thrill through his
veins and caused his eye to brighten as he rode along in the fresh
morning air; for the clouds had dispersed now, and the sun, mounting
into his sphere of unbroken blue, caused the wet earth to glisten like
silver as the raindrops hung about the grass and bushes in clusters of
flashing gems.

"So! That's better!" said one of the men, throwing open his waterproof
coat. "More cheerful like!"

"It is," assented another. "We ought to have a brush with Jack Kafir
to-day. It's Sunday."

"Sunday is it?" said a third. "There ain't no Sundays in the Transkei."

"But there are though, and its generally the day on which we have a
fight."

"That's so," said the first speaker, a tall, wiry young fellow from the
Chalumna district. "I suppose the niggers think we're such a bloomin'
pious lot that we shan't hurt 'em on Sunday, so they always hit upon it
to go in at us."

"Or p'r'aps they, think we're having Sunday school, or holdin' a prayer
meeting. Eh, Bill?"

"_Ja_. Most likely."

They were riding along a high grassy ridge falling away steep and sudden
upon one side. Below, on the slope, were a few woebegone looking mealie
fields and a deserted kraal, and beyond, about half a mile distant, was
the dark forest line. Suddenly the leader of the party, who, with three
or four others, was riding a little way ahead, was seen to halt, and
earnestly to scrutinise the slope beneath. Quickly the rest spurred up
to him.

"What is it?"--"What's up, Shelton?" were some of the eager inquiries.

"There's something moving down there in that mealie field, just where
the sod-wall makes a bend--there, about four hundred yards off," replied
Shelton, still looking through his field glasses. "Stay--it's a Kafir.
I saw him half put up his head and bob down again."

Every eye was be