e between the Zulu factions, but
that when he spoke of peace one of Umbelazi's brothers--I think it was
Mantantashiya--had mocked at him, saying that they were quite strong
enough to cope with the Usutu--that was Cetewayo's party. Also, he
added, that when he suggested that the thousands of women and children
and the cattle should be got across the Tugela drift during the previous
night into safety in Natal, Mantantashiya would not listen, and Umbelazi
being absent, seeking the aid of the Natal Government, he could do
nothing.

"Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat" [whom God wishes to destroy, He
first makes mad], quoted I to myself beneath my breath. This was one of
the Latin tags that my old father, who was a scholar, had taught me,
and at that moment it came back to my mind. But as I suspected that John
Dunn knew no Latin, I only said aloud:

"What an infernal fool!" (We were talking in English.) "Can't you get
Umbelazi to do it now?" (I meant, to send the women and children across
the river.)

"I fear it is too late, Mr. Quatermain," he answered. "The Usutu are
in sight. Look for yourself." And he handed me a telescope which he had
with him.

I climbed on to some rocks and scanned the plain in front of us, from
which just then a puff of wind rolled away the mist. It was black with
advancing men! As yet they were a considerable distance away--quite two
miles, I should think--and coming on very slowly in a great half-moon
with thin horns and a deep breast; but a ray from the sun glittered upon
their countless spears. It seemed to me that there must be quite twenty
or thirty thousand of them in this breast, which was in three divisions,
commanded, as I learned afterwards, by Cetewayo, Uzimela, and by a young
Boer named Groening.

"There they are, right enough," I said, climbing down from my rocks.
"What are you going to do, Mr. Dunn?"

"Obey orders and try to make peace, if I can find anyone to make peace
with; and if I can't--well, fight, I suppose. And you, Mr. Quatermain?"

"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully,
"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me."

"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything of
the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off with
me? This is a queer place for you."

"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as
I looked at those savages round me, who w