“Now,” thought I, “where are these people of whom Lalusini spoke? for these solitudes are not altogether to my mind. I like better not to dwell alone,” But still I wandered through unpeopled forests, seeing no sign of man, I grew uneasy. There was abundance of game, easily slain, too. Still I desired converse.
This, however, came my way at last, and in right startling manner did it come. I had turned the corner of a great rock, where the track I had been following opened into a grassy glade. Suddenly there sprang up right at my feet several men fully armed, who, with a loud shout, called on me to halt.
Chapter Nineteen.
The Vengeance of the Refugees.
“An impi sent by Dingane,” was my first thought, as I gassed upon the fierce countenances and the spears poised aloft with threatening flash.
“Who art thou—and whence?” said he who appeared to be the leader, a tall man and savage of mien.
“Rather, who are ye?” I answered, with another question, affronted by the insolent tone employed by the speaker.
“See these,” he answered swiftly. “Speak or die! You are one man, and these are several.”