-
has she not?--into the kraal. Now, you look to the horses, I will watch
here, and we shall soon have a report from Bernhard as to what he has
seen high up the ravine; then, if all be safe and well, we may soon be
on horseback, and on our way back to our friends; and then we need not
fear any number of Matabili, for we can ride away from them with ease,
for both Katrine and her sister ride like Amazons. Ah, Bernhard, what
news?"

"I don't like so many small parties of the Matabili disappearing in the
bush behind us; at least a hundred have gone in there this morning, and
the bush runs quite up to our ravine; these men might stalk to within a
few yards of us, and we not know of their approach; it is necessary that
we should be watchful, for the horses have more than once snorted as
though they smelt something strange and unpleasant, and my horse has
reason to dread a Matabili ever since the gash he got in the flank in
our last expedition against these people. How long will you stay here,
Hans?"

"Only two hours more, Bernhard, so I trust."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE ATTEMPTED RESCUE--HANS OUTWITTED AND CAPTURED BY THE MATABILI.

The two hours which Hans had to wait before he believed Katrine would
come to the kloof passed very slowly. Each minute seemed longer than
would an hour pleasantly passed; and when only half the time had elapsed
he began to feel uneasy, and to fear that he might be mistaken as
regards the signals which Victor had seen. Long before the time had
elapsed, however, Hans saw Katrine and her sister stroll out from the
kraal and walk slowly along the paths which led in the direction of the
ravine in which were her friends. She did not hurry, or seem at all
eager, as though bent on an expedition of importance, but stopped
occasionally as though undecided in which way to journey, and as though
not engaged on any special purpose. Hans and his companions watched
with the greatest interest every movement of the two girls, and also
every group of Matabili that from time to time were seen moving from
kraal to kraal. Several armed men had left the various little villages
and had walked rapidly from one to the other, as though some business of
war were on hand. About a dozen of these armed men were assembled, and
seemed to be engaged in talking, near the kraal from which Katrine and
her sister had first appeared; they took, apparently, no notice of the
two girls, who seemed at full liberty to wande