so is to--ask Peters."

Then they both laughed--laughed long and heartily.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

THE ATTACK AT DAWN.

Over the slumbering land the dawn has not yet broken, though but for the
chill mist lying upon bush and earth the first faint streaks might be
lining the eastern sky. Nor are the voices of the night stilled as yet,
and the weird laughter of the faraway jackals, and the crying of
invisible plover circling above, blend with ghostly mysterious rustlings
among the bush and damp grass-bents. For, like dark ghosts, innumerable
figures are flitting, well-nigh shoulder to shoulder in the mist, moving
rapidly in noiseless, springy advance.

Now these halt, and listen intently. Not a sound is audible on the
stillness; rather, would not be save to such as they. But to them,
well-nigh inaudible in the distance, comes the steady `crunch crunch' of
ruminating cattle, and the occasional snort and stamp of a horse.

They move forward again, and although not one can see more than a dozen
yards on either side, the crescent-moon formation advances unbroken.
They move forward, but now no longer erect. In bent, crouching
attitude, head turned on one side, intently listening, yet none the less
swiftly, none the less noiselessly, do they move; so noiselessly indeed
that not even the faintest rattle of assegai haft against shield stick
is heard throughout the whole length of that terrible battle line, and
of voices not even the faintest breath of a whisper. No need for such
at this stage. The tactics are simplicity itself, the plan already
laid.

Out of the misty gloom in front--though this is now growing perceptibly
less--the chewing of the ruminating cattle sounds nearer, but of any
sound betokening the proximity of human beings there is none. Soon, of
human beings other than these there will be none; none left in life,
that is; and the eyeballs of these human wolves roll, in the delirious
transport of the awaiting blood-feast; and weapons of destruction are
gripped and ready. Of a truth this mist is not there by accident. It
has been invoked by Umlimo that his children might steal upon these
hated Amakiwa, and rid the land of so many more of them, according to
his bidding.

And yet, the concealing mist is thinning somewhat. Well, it has served
its purpose, and having done so they will be better without it, to make
their work the surer and the more complete. And now, through its
lifting folds, rises