iminately.
Kondwana noticed scattered about, a quantity of mineral similar to the
specimens shown to him at Tshaka's when he received his instructions.
"Ah ha!" said he, "this accounts for their not having returned."

The unfortunate copper-carriers had evidently been surprised,
surrounded, and killed to a man--probably by the Balotsi. The Zulus,
delighted at obtaining evidence of the bare existence of the thing they
were seeking, walked about, picking up fragments of the ore, which they
put into their skin wallets. It was evident that the greater part of
the ore had been removed, yet every man of the expedition was able to
secure a piece which he looked upon as a kind of amulet to bring him
good fortune. There was a little fuel obtainable where they camped for
the night, and the weary, haggard men went to sleep feeling in better
spirits than for a long time past.

Just at daybreak next morning the sentries gave the alarm, and the
Zulus sprang to their feet to find themselves surrounded by foes. A
large Balotsi impi had been sent to intercept them.

The attack began at once, and for a time the struggle was fierce. But
at close quarters one Zulu was a match for ten Balotsi, so the
assailants were soon glad to retire, leaving nearly a hundred dead
behind them. The Zulus lost about five or six men. It was broad
daylight when the Balotsi drew off, and the Zulus could see their
enemies massed round them in every direction, and outnumbering them
excessively. Both parties paused for a time, each watching the other.
The sun rose up over the mountains, the sky was clear as a dewdrop, and
a bracing breeze swept down the valley, making music through the
quivering reeds. Herds of eland, hartebeests, gnu, and other game,
stood on the slopes afar off, and looked down on the dark masses of men
standing still in grim silence after their desperate struggle.

Then Kondwana gave the order to retreat. There was no other course
possible. Hardly any food was left, and the Balotsi were in such force
as to render it impossible to cope with them successfully.

So the Zulus began to retire along the course by which they had
advanced, and thus their travail entered into its final stage of long
agony.

III

Back towards the saddle at the top of the pass through the mountain
range marched Kondwana and the Zulus, the Balotsi force accompanying
them at a respectful distance on each side. The Balotsi had had a
severe lesson, and were not anx