The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-08-20
CHAPTER VI.


hint. About hundred and fifty yards
to the left of the laagcr was little dell
where I had hidden my horse, together
with one belonging to the Boers, and
my saddle and bride. Thither we went,
I carrying the swooning Tota In my
arms. To our JOY we found the horses
safe, for the Zulus had not seen them.
Now, of course, they were our only
means of locomotion, for the oxen had
been sent away, and even had they been
there we could not have found time to
inspan them. laid Tota down, caught
my horse, undid his knee halter and
saddled up. As was doing so thought,
struck me, and I told 1ndaba-zinbi to
run to the laager and see If he could
find my double-barreled gun and some
powder and shot, for had only my ele-
phant ''roer" and a few charges OF pow
der and ball with me.
He went, and while he was away poor
little Tota came to herself and began to
cry, till she saw my face.
''Ah, have had such a bad DREAM"
she said, in Dutch; 81 dreamed that the
black Kaflrs were going to kill me.
Where is my papa?"
Iwinced at the question. Your papa
has gono on journey, dear l said,
''and left me to look after you. We shall
find him one day, You don't mind go
ing with Heer Allan, do you?'
"No,o she said,- little doubtfully,
and began to cry again. Presently she
remembered that she was thirsty, and
asked for water. led her to the river
and she drank. "Why is my hand red.
Heer Allan?" she asked, pointing to the
smear OF Bombyane's blood-stained
fingers.
At that moment felt very glad that I
had killed Bombyane.
'sIt is only paint, DEAR" said; "see,
we will wash it and your face"
As was doing this 1ndaba-zimbi re-
turned. The guns were all gone; he
said the Zulus had taken them and the
powder. But he had found some things
and brought them in sack. There was
a thick blanket, about twenty pounds
weight of biltong or sun-dried meat, a
few double-handfuls of ships biscuits,
two water-bottles, tin pannikin, some
matches and sundries.
Sand now, Macumszahn," he said,
''we hal best be going, for those
Umtetwas isee Coming back. ] saw one
of them on the brow of the rise,'
$40, 1iftn6
little Tota on to tho bow ct my saddle,
climbed into it and rode off. holding her
in front Of me. Indaba-zimbi slipped q
rein into the mouth of the best of tho
Boer horses, threw the sack of sundries
on to its back and mounted also, hold
ing the elephant gun in his hand. We
went eight or nine hundred yards in
silence till we were quite out Of range
of sight from the wagons which were in
hollow Then pulled up, with such
a feeling of thankfulncss in my heart as
can not be told in words; for now knew
that, mounted as we were, those black
demons could never catch us. But
where were we to steer for? | put the
question to Indaba-zimbi, asking him If
he thought we had better try and follow
tho oxen that We had sent away with
the Kaffirs and women on the Erpcrding
night He shook his head.
''The Umtetwas will go after the oxen
presently" he answered, "and we havo
seen enough of them
"Quitc enough" I answered, with sa-
thusiasm: Il never want to see another;
but where are we to go? Hero We are
with one gun and little girl in the
vast and lonely veldt. Which way shall
we turn?"
fore we met the Zulus." answered
Indaba-zim bi; ''let US still keep them to-
ward the north. Ride on. MacumazahH;
tonight when @e off-saddle will look
into the matter"
So all that long afternoon VIC rode on,
following the course OF the river. From
the nature of the ground we could only
20 slowly, but before sunset had the
satisfaction Of knowing that there must
have been at least twenty-five miles
between US and those accursed ZuluS.
Little Tota slept most Of the way, the
motion of the horse was eas;, and She
was worn out.
At last the sunset came, and we Off
saddled in dell by the river. There
was not much to eat, but I soaked some
biscuit in water for Tota. and Indabe'
zinbi and made scanty meal off bill
tong. When we had done took of
Tota's frock, wrapped her up in the
blanket near the fire We had made, and
lit pipe. I sat there by the side OF the
orphaned child, and from my heart
thanked Providence for saving her life