Wichita eagle., 1890-01-05

Inc VI uif own HIOu we'll viii tl6
latter, the three Others and Indaba-lmbi
stopped with me in the iaaSer.
The porting was d heart breaking scene,
upon whhsh do not care to dwell. The
women w'ef,t, the men groeDed, and the
children looked On with scared white
faces. At length they were gone, and
fog oDe was thankful OF it. There re-
manned III the lager seventeen white
men, four natives, the two Beer fraus
| who were TWO stout to travel, the woman
in childbed aud her baby, and Hans
Botha's litle daughter Tota, whom be
could not make up his mind to part with.
Happily, her mother was already dead.
And here may state tsast ten OF the
women and children, together with about
half of the cattle, escaped. The Zulu
impi never saw them, and on the third
day OF travel they came 20 the fortified
place of a Griqua Chief, who sheltered
them On receiving half the cattle in pay
ment. Thence by slow degrees they
journeyed down to the Cape Colony,
reaching civilized region within little
more than year from the date of the
attack on the laager.
The afternoon was now drawing to-
ward evening, but still there were no
us that they might have gene on about
their business. Ever since Indaba-zirnbi
had heard that the regiment was sup
posed to belong to the Umtetwa tribe,
he had, I noticed, been plunged in deep
thought. Presently he came TO me and
volunteered to go out and spy upon their
movements. At fret Hans Botha was
against this idea, saying that he was
"verdOmde Swartzel"-an accurse6 black
creature-and would betray US. I point
ed out that there was nothing to betray.
The Eulus must know where the wagons
were, but it was important for us to
gain information of their whereabouts.
so it was agreed that indaba-zinbi should
go. I told him this. He nodded iswhite
lock, said ''All right, Nacumazahn," and
started | noticed with some surprise,
however, that before he did so he went
to the wagon and fetched his ''mouti,"
Or medicine, which, together with his
own magical apparatus, he always car
ried in a skin bag. l asked him why he
did this. He answered that it was TO
make himself invulnerable against the
spears of the Zulus. did not in the
least believe his explanation, for in my
heart was sure that he meant to take
the opportunity to make q bolt of it, leav-
ing me to my fate. | did not, however,
interfere to prevent this, for I had an
affection for the old fellow, and sincerely
hoped that he might escape the doom
which overshadowed Us.
So Indaba-zimbi sauntered off, and as
[ looked at his retreating form thought
that should never see it again. But l
was mistaken, and little knew that he
was risking his life. not for the Beers,
whom he hated one and all, but for me, ,
whom in his queer way he loved.
When he had game we completed our
preparations for defense, strengthening
the wagons and the thorns beneath with
earth and stones. Then at sunset we
ate and drank as heartily as we could
under the circumstances, and when we
party, offered up prayer to God Tor our
preservation. 1t was touching sight to
see the burly Dutchman, his hat Off, his
broad face lit up by the last rays OF the
setting sun, praying aloud IN homely,
simple language to Him who alone could
save us from the spears of cruel foe.
l remember that the last sentence Of his
prayer was, almighty. if we must be
killed, save the women and children and
my little girl Tota from the accused
ZGlus. and do not let us be tortured"
echoed the request very earnestly in
my own heart, that | know, for in COM
mon with the others / was dreadfully
afraid, and it must be admitted not with
out reason.
Then the darkness came on, and we
took up our appointed places, each with
a rifle in his hands, and peered out into
the gloom in silence. Occasionally one
of the Beers would hight his pipe with a
brand from the smoldering fire, and the
glow Of it would shine for few mo-
ments on his pale, anxious face.
Behind me one OF the stout ''fraus"
lay upon the ground. Even the terror
of our position could not keep her heavy
eyes from their accustomed sleep, and
she snored loudly. On the further side
Of her, just by the fire, kay little Tota,
wrapped in e kaross. She was asleep
also. her thumb in her mouth, and from
time to time her father would come to
look at her.
So the hours wore on while we wait
ed for the Zulus. But from my in
innate knowledge of the habits of ma
tives | had little fear that they would at
tack as at night, though, had they done
so, they could have compassed our de-
struction with bat small loss to them
selves. 1t is not the habit Of this people,
they ike to fight in the light of day-at
dawn for preference.
About II o'clock, Just as was nOdding
little at my post, heard low whistle
outside the lager. Instantly was wide
awake, and all along the line heard the
clicking of locks as the Beers cooked
their guns.
"Macumazahn," said a voice, thevoice
of Indaha-zimbi, ''are you there?'
Yes" answered.
Then hold light 50 that I can see
how TO climb into the Iaager," he said.
Yah, yah! hold a light" put in
one of the Beers. Il don't trust that
black schepsel Of yours, Heer Quater-
main; he may have some Of his country
men with him" Accordingly a lantern
was produced and held towards the
voice There was Indab2-zimb alone.
We let him into the laager and asked
MIN the news.