Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-11-07

conducted back to her father, he dared not
think of her fate. Urging his horse to gal
lop, he cleared the wood, and by carefully
placing every hill and clump of bushes be
tween him and the savages, he succeeded in
making several miles undiscovered
But Just as lac and Lucia were beginning to
hope they might escape unnoticed, yell in
the distance told that they were seen. Now
was the hour of trial for horse and riders
The noble animal seemed hardly to touch the
ground as lie flew along the plain the wild
yells of the Zulus ringing behind At length
the banks of the Buffalo rose high before
them, and Cassatonga realized with horror
that he had not time to look for the ford and
must only trust his nearly exhausted compan-
ion and breathless horse to the perils Of a
plunge from those lofty banks. But it was
their last hope of safety they must do it or
die. At length they reached the bank, which
rose full six feet above the stream. Cassatonga
held the princess tightly in his arms, and the
horses nostrils dlated and his eyes shot fire
as he gazed on the torrent beneath. But not
a second did the noble animal waver; ODE
dent to his masters hand, he bounded from
the bank, and in another minute tossed his no.
blehead above the wave as he bravely breasted
the stream In a few moments, however, his
feet touched the bottom the ford was found,
and the worst of the terrible strain was over
At length they gained the opposite bank, up
which the weary horse toiled slowly and
soon, TO his riders great astonishment, the
small English camp lay before them.
The pair now paused to consult about their
next move. The Zulus, they justly couject-
ured, would make no delay i'll crossing the
river, and their poor horse was far too eN-
hausted to carry them that night to Help
makaar; therefore they unhesitatingly felt
tI,.ty usiy.gt tnttll la 10, t,lap. tlaun
selves under the protection of the English
commander. Tying a white handkerchief to
the end of his spear, Cassatonga approached
the camp; and when within shot, he call
out in loud voice to the sentries, informing
them that they were Christian Zulus flying
for safety. They were Immediately seized
and brought before the officer in charge, who
received them with suspicion, as he had only
just heard of the disaster at Isandula and
was in no mood to harbor Zulus of any kind.
Their tale was soon told But though the
officer suppressed his pity for the sufIerings
of the royal maid, he gave orders to have
them strictly watched. at the same time com
nanding that their wants should be supplied.
1t is needless to give 4 description of the
night that followed. All the world knows
how through the darkness the tide OF battle
surged up, wave after wave, against the weak
barriers Of the little fort, and was again and
again repulsed All the world has rung with
the names of Bromhead and Chard, and all
the other heroes who with strong hands and
stronger hearts held the fort that night. But
among them all who fought beneath the red
cross flag there was no stronger arm, no
braver heart, than his, the young Zulu chief
who had renounced friends, fortune. country
to enlist beneath the banner of higher Cross
and strive henceforth for more enduring
victory. As the morning broke upon the
scene, and disclosed the dusky foe, disheart-
ened and defeated, vanishing like dark clouds
behind the distant hills. the gallant officer
begrimed with powder, seized the now scarce
ly darker hand of the noble Zulu, and thank
ed him as a British soldier for his timely aid
Lucia felt in that moment she was rewarded
for all the tcrrors Of the night.
After some hours needful rest at the fort,
the young travellers prepared to resume their
journey. They We're followed 10y the bene-
dictons of all Lucia had been untiring in
her assistance to the wounded, and the dying
were cheered by her words of comfort. Thus
amidst many good wishes, they bade farewell
to their friends, and accompanied by the
officers bearing dispatches they yet out for
HelpmRkaar. The evening shadows were
lengthening rs they entered and rode through
the streets of that town, and soon they were
received with warm welcomes beneath the
roof of the coed missionary.
Not long afterward, before these officers
returned to their posts, they were called up
on to witness the union of their Zulu com
rade with his royal bride. The ceremony was
performed by their friend, Mr.. B in the
words of the beautiful service of the English
church Aud here let us leave them. They
have set themselves resolutely to the task Of
preparing for that labor of love which they
feel certain God will in His own good time
open up for them-a wide field of missionary
work in their dear native land. BE it ours to
pray for the success of all such noble hearts,
and for the time when the swords of all the
world shall be beaten into pruning hooks,
and the nations study war no more !-Hdr-
ptr'S W6ck,y.