In spite of the chief's assurance, Ronald was fidgety and anxious. He wrapped a blanket round him, and walked restlessly up and down. It was nearly an hour before the chief, who, with his companions, had thrown himself down and lighted a pipe, which passed from hand to hand, said suddenly:
"One man come!"
Ronald listened intently, but could hear nothing. A moment later a dark figure came up.
Kreta at once questioned him, and a long conversation took place between them.
"What is he saying, chief? What is he saying?" Ronald broke in impatiently several times; but it was not until the man had finished that the chief translated.
"White girl alive, incos, the other two women alive, but not live long, torture them bad. Going to take girl to Macomo."
"Thank God for that," Ronald exclaimed, fervently, for he had all day been tormented with the fear that Mary Armstrong might have met with her fate directly she was carried away.
"Where are they going to take her?"
"A lot of them go off to-night; go straight to Amatolas; take her with them."
"How many, Kreta; will there be any chance of attacking them on the way?"