with me from Capetown to the karroo, and
probably he feels a touch of regard for his old travelling companion."

"H'm! I wouldn't give much for his regard," growled Van Dyk. "The reed
is slender, but it's the only one we have to lean on now. However,
we've got a reprieve, for I heard 'em say just now that they'll delay
executing us till to-morrow, after reaching one of their other and safer
retreats in the mountains."

The prisoners were put into a smaller cave, close to the large one, that
night. Their bonds were made more secure, and, as an additional
precaution, their legs were tied. Two men were also appointed to guard
the entrance of their prison.

About midnight the camp was perfectly still, and the only sounds that
broke the silence were the tinkling of a neighbouring rill and the
footfall of the sentinels. Van Dyk and Considine were lying uneasily on
the bare ground, and thinking of the tragic fate that awaited them on
the morrow, when they observed the dim figure of a man approaching from
the innermost end of the cavern with a drawn knife in his right hand.
Both started up and leant on their elbows; more than this they could not
do. They felt some alarm, it is true, but both came to the same
conclusion--that it is foolish to cry out before you are hurt.

The figure bent over Van Dyk, and whispered in his ear. Next moment the
hunter stood on his feet with his limbs free.

"You were right, young sir," he said to Considine as he stooped over him
and cut his bonds; "there _is_ a touch of humanity in the rascally
Hottentot after all. Come; he bids us follow him. Knows a secret
passage out o' the cave, no doubt."

The black-bearded huntsman turned as he spoke, and followed the dim
figure, which melted into the depths of the cavern as if it had been a
spirit. A few minutes' gliding through darkness tangible, and they
found themselves in the open air among thick bushes. Though the night
was very dark there was sufficient light to enable Considine to see the
glittering of white teeth close to his face, as a voice whispered in
broken English--"You's better tink twice when you try for to chases
Tottie next time! Go; Van Dyk, him's old hand in de bush, will guide
you safe."

Before morning Considine was back in Conrad Marais' parlour, relating
his adventures among the Bergenaars with a half-belief that the whole
affair was nothing more than a romantic dream.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

TREATS OF THE ZUU