“So we plunged over the lip of the hollow, and side by side coursed down the steep slope without, the whole evil tribe howling upon our heels and flinging their long light-handled spears, too near us to be pleasant. But we soon distanced them, and reaching the bottom of the valley, where the thorn bushes grew thick, we slackened speed and, turning our heads back, jeered those who came on.
“‘Ho, dogs!’ I cried, ‘who are ye that think to outstrip the fastest of the King’s runners?’
“‘Who is running back to the King!’ called out a great voice behind. And starting round to deal with this new enemy, lo! we were surrounded by our own people, hemmed in by spear-points as by a thorn fence, each blade ready to enter our hearts. Our doom had overtaken us at last.
“‘Drop thy weapons or die, son of Ntelani,’ said the leader of the impi. ‘The “word” of the Great Great One was “dead or alive”; if not alive, then dead.’
“I glanced swiftly at the force surrounding us. It numbered about fifty men, all young, strong, determined warriors like myself. To resist would be to die. I looked at the leader, who was well known to me, and friendly. Then I said:
“‘I will disarm, Ngubu. But first let me aid you in stamping out yon race of evil-doers. Then I will offer no resistance. This will be my last battle.’
“‘The King’s orders did not say that, Untúswa. Nothing was in them about fighting,’ answered Ngubu; yet there was a longing look in his face as he glanced at the Baputi who had clustered on the ridge and were watching us, uncertain whether to stand or to fly.
“‘And the girl?’ he said, looking at Nangeza. ‘I will answer for her. You know my word stands, Ngubu, and not to save my own life will I sacrifice yours and those of all here to the wrath of the King. Come! Tarry no longer!’
“‘I will trust you, Untúswa. Whou! but it will be a strange battle for you, and I fear it will indeed be thy last, for I think no man ever yet took away an inmate of the Isigodhlo and lived.’
“‘This cannot be!’ cried another, running up. ‘The King’s orders were to bring back these two. How, then, can you loosen them, perhaps to flee again, Ngubu?’