Hendricks the Hunter | Page 4

oft-told
adventures. As soon as darkness came on, the cattle were driven in and

secured close to the waggon, and sentries, with muskets in their hands,
were placed to watch them, as well as to serve as guards to the rest of
the camp.
The trader's accustomed sleeping-place was inside his waggon, where,
by the light of a lantern hung from the roof, he could sit and read or
write when so disposed. After allowing his followers sufficient time to
amuse themselves, he shouted to them to cease their noise and go to
sleep. To hear with his well-disciplined hunters and drivers was to obey,
and at once rolling themselves up in their blankets or karosses they lay
down round the fire, which had previously been made up, so as to last
some hours without additional fuel. He then, before turning in himself,
took a turn round the camp, stopping occasionally to listen for any
sounds which might indicate that a lion was prowling in the
neighbourhood. He was just about to return to the waggon, when he
observed emerging from behind a clump of trees in the valley below
him numerous dark figures moving slowly over the ground. He
watched them attentively, and was convinced that they were a party of
Zulus bent on a warlike expedition. Others followed, until a large
number had assembled in the open. Whether or not their object was to
attack his camp he could not tell; but he resolved, should they do so, to
defend his property to the last. He at once called up Umgolo, and in a
low voice ordered him to arouse his companions, but on no account to
allow them to show themselves or to make the slightest noise. These
orders were obeyed, and the trader retired to the shade of his waggon,
where he could watch what was going forward without himself being
seen. The fire, from which a few flames occasionally flickered up, must,
he knew, have shown the Zulus the position of the camp.
Though he took these precautions for prudence' sake, he did not
consider it likely that the Zulus, who had hitherto been friendly, would
venture to attack him. His followers, however, appeared not to be so
well satisfied on that point as he was; for each man, as he lay on the
ground, examined his arms to be sure that they were ready for instant
action.
The dark figures moved slowly on, then halted.

"They are considering whether they shall venture to come against us,"
whispered Umgolo. "If they do, we will give them a warmer welcome
than they expect."
Such might have been the interpretation of his remarks.
"I still doubt whether they will attack us," answered his master. "They
know too well the power of the white man's powder and lead."
At that time comparatively few firearms had been introduced among
the Zulus, and they had but an imperfect knowledge of their use.
Again the black figures began to move, but instead of drawing nearer
the camp, apparently supposing that they had not been observed, they
directed their course towards the kraal which had been observed by the
travellers on the hillside just before they unspanned.
"They are about to work no good to yonder kraal, or they would not be
moving thus silently at this time of night," observed Umgolo. "Before
morning dawns, not a man, woman, or child will be left alive, and not a
hoof remain inside."
"I would then that we could give the inhabitants notice of their
impending doom, or save the unhappy wretches by some means or
other," said the trader, more to himself than his follower, well aware
that Umgolo would scarcely enter into his feelings on the subject.
"It cannot be done," remarked Umgolo. "Any one approaching the kraal
would be discovered by the warriors, and put to death to a certainty."
"Why do you think that the kraal is to be attacked?" asked his master.
"This I know, that yonder kraal is the abode of the brave young chief
Mangaleesu, who possesses numerous head of cattle, and has under
him a band of devoted followers. Perhaps Panda, the king of the Zulus,
or some other great chief, covets Mangaleesu's cattle, or fears his
power, and this expedition has been sent out to destroy him and all his
people. It may be that one of Panda's wives has been ill, and the doctor,

not knowing what else to say, having declared that she was bewitched,
was ordered to go and smell out the culprit; the cunning rogue knowing
full well how best to please the king; or, as I remarked, some other
enemy of Mangaleesu has fixed on him."
"How do you know, Umgolo, that such is the case?" inquired his
master.
"I guess it," answered