“War do you call it? The better name would be murder.”
“We need not split hairs,” said the Captain impatiently. “But why speak of your friends, since they are dead?”
“You lie! they live. The treasure is not for you. They have already secured it, and are in safety with the people beyond the river. Fools! while you slept they marched away, and Sirayo is now leading an army against your men.”
“You lie yourself, dog of an Englishman!” cried the Captain.
“Listen!”
The distant murmur increased to a hoarse roar, threatening, and nearer rose the shouts of Zulus calling to each other.
Behind the three men in the passage were some Zulus, who had remained silent; but now they broke out in fierce excitement, all speaking together.
“What do they say?” shouted the Captain shrilly.
“They say there is a fight where the greatest number of our men are, and the enemy have gathered also by the river, where our second force is stationed. This man speaks truly. The people would not fight unless they had a fresh leader, and who can that leader be but Sirayo? But as for the treasure, those feeble people could not have carried it away.”
“Carrambo!” said Gobo, “I recognise this fellow now.”