to observe that it was not yet destroyed. The mud hovels, like
huge beehives, in which the Kafirs dwelt, were not yet burnt, and the
only smoke visible was that which rose from cooking fires. But it was
quite plain that the people, who in the distance seemed to swarm in and
about the place like black ants, were in wild excitement.

"No doubt they've heard that the Fetcani are coming," said Groot Willem,
riding to the highest point of the ridge on which they stood. "The
place seems pretty strong. I think we might do worse than go lend the
niggers a helping hand till we've made inquiries about the lad."

Lucas Van Dyk echoed this sentiment, and so did Stephen Orpin, but there
were others who thought it best to let the niggers fight their own
battles.

"Well, friends," said Kenneth McTavish, "you may hold what opinion you
like on that point, but my business just now is to go into that town and
see if I can find Junkie Brook. The sooner I do so the better, so let
those who choose follow me."

He rode off at a brisk trot, and was followed by the whole party. On
reaching the town they halted, and the principal chief, Eno, came out to
meet them. One of the Hottentots being called to interpret, the hunters
were informed that the Fetcani had threatened to attack the town, and
that the inhabitants were busy putting themselves in a state of defence.
They were glad, said the chief, to see the white men, and hoped they
would stay to assist him.

To this Stephen Orpin replied through the interpreter. Stephen somehow
fell naturally into the position of spokesman and chief of the party in
positions where tact and eloquence or diplomacy were wanted, though in
the hunting-field he held a very subordinate place.

He told Eno that the white men had come to seek for a white boy who had
been stolen from one of the frontier settlements, and that he had heard
the boy was in his, Eno's, town. That he was glad to hear it, though of
course he did not suppose Eno had stolen the boy, seeing that none of
his people had been yet near the colony. That he and his friends now
came to claim the boy, and would be glad to aid them in defending the
town, if attacked while they were in it.

In reply the chief said he knew nothing about a white boy being in his
town, but would make inquires.

While this conference was going on, a man was seen to approach, running
at full speed. He fell from exhaustion on arriving, and for some
moments cou