Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-31

the return of one of the men who had been
posted before daylight in the wood, and who
were to follow close upon the footsteps of
the Kafirs. 1t was o'clock before the
lookout by the path returned with one Of
these Fingoes.
he said few words to the chief, and al
though Ronald could not understand him
he saw by the expression of Kreta's face
that the news was satisfactory.
"GirI got to Macomo's kraal," the chief
said. "Macomo not there. Gone to San
dill. May come back tonight. Most
likely get drunk and not come back till to-
morrow. Macomo drink very much"
"All the better" Ronald said. ''Thank
God we have got few hours before us. !"
The man gave a narration of his proceed
ings to Kreta, who translated them to
Ronald.
Directly the Kafirs had passed the point
where he and his comrade were hidden, they
came out of the bush and followed closely
behind them, sometimes dropping behind
little so as to be quite out of sight if any
of them should look round, and then, going
on faster until they could get glimpse of
them, so as to be sure that they were going
through several kraals. Before they came
to each of these the men had waited little,
and had then gone on at a run, as If anx-
ious to catch up the main body. They had
thus avoided questioning.
Three hours walking took them to Ma
como's krsal, and they hung about there
until they had found out that Maccmo was
away, having gone off early to pay visit
to Sandilli. Kreta did not translate his
followers description of the manner in
which this information had been obtained,
and Ronald, supposIng that they had gath
cred it from the lips of the Kaffirs, asked
no questions. As soon as they had learned
what they wanted to know, one of them
had remained in hiding near the village.
and the other had returned with the news.
He had been nearly twice as long coming
back as he was going, as this time he had
been obliged to make a circuit so as to pass
round each of the kraals, and so to avoid
being questioned.
"Did he see the young lady?" Ronald
asked; "and how was she looking?"
Yes, be had seen her as they passed his
ambush the first thing in the morning. She
looked very white and tired, but she was
walking. She was not bound in any way.
That was all he could tell him.
How soon can we 90 on, Chief?" Ronald
asked, impatiently. "You see, it is three
hours marching even if we go straight
| through"
"Can go now," the chief said. Snow we
know where Macomo's kraal is we can 60
straight through the BUSH"
They went back to the path. The Fingo
pointed to the exact position among the
hills where Macomo's kraal was. There
were two intermediate ridges to be crossed,
but Ronald did not doubt the Fingo's
power to follow a nearly direct line to the
spot
Now" the chief said, 'you follow close
behind me. Never mind where you are
going. Do not look at the trees or the rocks
or anything, but tread in my footsteps. Re
member if you tread on twig or make the
least sound perhaps someone notice it. May
be noticed anyhow. Fellows upon the
watch may see us moving through the trees
overhead, but must risk that; but only don't
make noise"
Ronald promised to obey the chiefs in
structions and the party again leaving the
path, took their wav through the trees
straight down into the valley. At times
they came to such precipitous places that
they were forced to make detours to get
down them. One of the men now went
ahead, the rest following at such a distance
that they could just keep him in sight
through the trees. From time to time he
changed his course, as he heard noises or
sound of voices that told him he was ap-
preaching kraal At times they came
across patches of open ground. When
it was impossible to avoid these they
secretly, as they knew that the sharp eyes
of the sentries on the hill top could look
down upon them. They, therefore, walked
at q quiet pace, talking and gesticulating to
each other as they went, so that they might
be taken for party going from one kraal to
another.
1t was o'clock in the evening, and the
sun had set some time when they approached
the kraai of Macomo.
-
little from the ordinary Kafir kraals except
that two or three of the huts were large and
beehive shaped. There was a good deal of
noise going ON in the village; great fires
were burning, and round these numbers of
the Kafirs were dancing, representing by
their action the conflict in which they had
been engaged and the slaughter of their
enemies. The women were standing round,
keeping up a monotonous song, to the
rhythm of which the men were dancing.
At the chiefs order, two of his men went
boldly forward into the village. Avoiding
the circlesof lightround the fires they moved
carelessly about, catching scraps of CONVEX
sation here and there. In ten minutes they
returned to the party, who were hiding a
hundred yards apart.
1.-The white woman is in the women's hut,
next to that of Macomo."
"Are there any guards at the door?"
honalo asked. Ine cnleI put the QueS-
tion.
mo, no guards had been placed there.
There were many women in the hut. There
was no fear of her escape. Besides if she
got out where could she 60 to?'
Well, now. incos, what are we to do?" the
chief asked. "We have brought you here
and now we are ready to die if you tell US.
What you think we do next?"
wait bit, Kreta, / must think it
over"
Indeed Ronald had been thinking all day.
He had considered it probable that Mary
Armstrong would be placed in the hut OF one
of the chiefs wives. The first question was
how to communicate with her. 1t was al
most certain that either some Of the women
would sit up all night or that sentries would
be placed at the door. Probably the former
The Kafirs had made long journey and
had now doubtless been gorging themselves
with meat. They would be disinclined to
watch, and would consider their response
bility at an end when they had handed her
over to the women. 1t was almost certain
that Mary herself would be asleep after her
fatigue of the last three days; even the
prospect of the terrible fate before her would
scarce suffer to keep her awake"
"Do you think two women will sit up
with her, all night?"
1.-TWO or three of them sure" Kreta re-
piled.
my plan is this, Kreta; it may not sue
coed, but can think of no other. In the
first place, will 60 into the kraaL 1 will
wait until there is no one near the door,
then will stoop and say in loud voice, SO
that she may hear, that she is to keep awake