jecting eaves made of Tambookie grass. The walls were of sod-work,
plastered over and white-washed. Here Teddy dwelt--taking his meals
elsewhere--and experimented in parlour-magic to his heart's content.

Vooda was a constable. He was a short, stout man, with a deep, although
not wide knowledge of human nature; not wide only for lack of
experience. He had dwelt all his life amongst the natives surrounding
Mount Loch, and he could read them like so many books of Standard I. He
could, moreover, tell by looking at a witness in court, whether that
witness were speaking truth or lying, and the magistrate recognised and
utilised this faculty. Vooda and Teddy were great friends, Vooda taking
a lively and intelligent interest in Teddy's experiments.

Every one knows that in the early part of 1894, Pondoland, the last
independent native State south of Natal, was annexed to Cape Colony.
Much to the general surprise, the annexation was effected peacefully,
but for some months afterwards the greatest care had to be exercised in
dealing with the Pondos. The people generally were glad of the change
from the harsh, arbitrary, and irresponsible rule of the native chiefs
to the settled and equitable conditions of civilised government; but
the chiefs gave trouble. They naturally would not, without struggling
and agitating, submit to the loss of power and prestige which they
sustained, and they bitterly resented being no longer permitted to "eat
up" those who annoyed them. Now, the instincts of clannishness and
loyalty are so strong amongst the Kafirs, that even against what they
well know to be their own vital interests, they will follow the most
cruel and rapacious tyrant, so long as he is their hereditary tribal
chieftain, into rebellion.

Now, the Kwesa clan of Pondos dwelt just on the boundary of Mount Loch,
and within thirty miles of the Magistracy. The head of this clan, a
chief named Sololo, had not objected to the annexation, and was
consequently looked upon as well-affected towards the Government. But
within a few months after the annexation, a serious difficulty arose
between the authorities and this man. One of his followers quarrelled
with another, and after the time-honoured local custom, assuaged his
feelings by means of a spear-thrust, which had a fatal result. The
murdered man was one whom Sololo disliked, whereas, on the other hand,
the murderer was one whom the chief delighted to honour. Consequently,
when the magi