ddress his master as _Umlungu_--meaning simply
`white man'--was to invite--well, a breach of the peace. But Peters
kept his temper.

"Then--O great chief Inyovu," he said, still more cuttingly, "in that
case it might be as well to return to thy chief, Zwabeka. I have no use
at all for servants who own two chiefs. No. No use."

"_Xi_!"

At the utterance of this contemptuous `click' Peters did not keep his
temper. His right fist shot forth with lightning-like suddenness and
celerity, catching its imprudent utterer bang on the nose. He,
staggering back, seized a pick-handle--an uncommonly awkward weapon, by
the way--and, uttering a savage snarl, came for his smiter. The while
the three Makalaka boys, in huge if secret delight, stood by to watch
the fun.

And they got it--plenty of it. Peters was far too old a campaigner to
be taken at any such disadvantage. He was upon the young savage in a
flash, had him by the throat with one hand, and the pick-handle with the
other, just as swiftly. Inyovu seeing the game was up wrenched himself
free, and turned to run, leaving the pick-handle with the enemy. Alack
and alas! The mouth of the shaft was immediately behind him, and,
losing his footing on some loose stones, he plunged in and disappeared
from view. Then Peters threw back his head and roared with laughter.
So too did the Makalakas. In fact their paroxysms seemed to threaten
ultimate dissolution, as they twisted and squirmed and hugged themselves
in their mirth.

"_Woza_! We must get him out!" he cried at last. The shaft was no
great depth as yet, luckily for Inyovu. Moreover, the bucket for
hauling up the dirt was down there, and a spasmodic quiver of the rope
showed that the ill-advised one was already climbing up, even if he had
not arrested his fall by seizing the rope and holding on. Then, by
their master's orders, the boys manned the windlass, though so weakened
by their recurring laughter they could hardly turn the handle, indeed
were in danger of letting go every minute. At last the unfortunate
one's head rose above the mouth of the hole, and in a moment more he was
standing glaring at his master with sulky apprehension.

But Peters had enjoyed a good laugh, and all his anger had vanished.

"Now, Inyovu," he said cheerily, "get to work again."

And Inyovu did.

Peace having been restored, the usual labour proceeded. Suddenly
Peters' horse, which was knee-haltered among the bushes hard by,