, 1859-09-30

hand and voice TO reassure him; but Il was with
little success, and more than once had the surges
foamed over both horse and rider ere my horse re-
covered his courage and nerve again. Then the
struggle was resumed, and arduous Il proved and
while the result was yet doubtful, night closed in
on the dark waters, adding to our difficulty and
danger. Still the good steed toiIed on bnyely in
the darkness, until at length his feet touched the
ground, thsnext minute hescrambled IN Tie hank,
wearied and exhausted, but victorious.
One roll on the grass, one minute to recover
breath, and my horse was again ready for the road
and on we dashed through the darkness towards
Blue Lilies. Every step ] drew nearer home,
deeper and deeper grew my anxiety and my fears;
and when at length could discern The faint out.
lines Of the enbOsOming hills, my heart seemed to
stand still with terror Of what the next few min
utes might disclose. As approached nearer the
and for the first time since had heard the evil
tidings, glimmering Of hope crossed my mind.
But when ! reached The spot, found Il was the
stiffness Of desOlation; myhouse heap Of smonl-
dering ruins, my sheepiolds were torn down, my
cattle kraas empty, and II seemed no living crea-
ture remained within the valley to tell the tale Of
rapine, which none had arrived in time to prevent
Had this calamity fallen upon me without mo-
ment's preparation, do not think Il could have
struck deeper than It did now. Slowly and Ieebly,
like IN aged man, dism0unted from nv horse,
and shrunk down beside the still smoking grave Of
all loved, while the torrent Of grief and horror,
and yearning for vengeance, that rolled over my
soul, was deeper and more tumultuous than the
waters Of the Kroomkie, through which ! had %
Aiter time faint sound attracted my atten-
ton, and looked up to zee light fash out from
Q ruined shepherds hut, far up the valley. Ina
gining some lingering Caifes to be there leasting
on The spoil, ! seized my rife and hastened up.
But what could equal my surprise, my almost
frantic joy, when, sitting around the fire in lie
and safety, beheld those / 90 deeply moufnsd
A Hottentot herdsman had seen the approaching
foe from the summit Of one Of the hills, and rushed
In with the tidings in time for his mistrss and
children to find safety in fight into the busE; and
when the same Hottentot had ascertained The
Caiffes departure they had returned again to Blue
Lilies. ~. aa9 l.'r3 tEt 900
Ere long there was trampling Of horses IN the
valley, lowing Of cattle, and The loud voices Of
men. II heFalded the arrival Of Thornton and The
military party be went to seek. On their way 10
Blue Lilies they had crossed the aspoor Of The
distracted cattle, and dashed on alter them; and
the freshet having prevented the Oafif8 crossing
the river they had taken them IN the very act, and
Drought them and Their booty back IN triumph.
That night mirth and laughter echoed through
the valley, from the camp fire round which mt Ii
successful military party and Thornton, and tn
was not silent had begun the world too often
to be appalled, that had TO do Il once more, and
all my regrets were lost in joy that my wife and
children were spared to me. The next day, with
unhAgging industry, / begn the work Of iestora
ton, and In Q few months not Q truce remained
save IN my own memory, Of the disastrous event
of nv holiday. - 49,, r s