CHAPTER XXX.
SIHAMBA PREVAILS
Now a fire of hope shot up in Sihamba’s eyes, but soon it died out again.
“It is a trick, it must be a trick,” she said, “for who ever heard of a Zulu loosing the prey that was in his hand? Never dare he do it save by the command of the king,” and she left the hut to be met by others running with the same tidings. Of these she sent some down the gorge to bring her report of what had happened, and with them Zinti, for she could not altogether trust the word of her own people.
Within an hour the messengers returned, and on their faces was a strange look which, clever as she was, Sihamba did not understand.
“Is the path clear?” she asked.
“No, chieftainess,” they replied, “it is still blocked, for though the Zulus have gone we know not where by order received from Dingaan, Bull-Head holds it with such of his own men as are left alive.”
“Had you speech with the white man?” she asked.
“Yes, lady.”
“Say on.”
Now they looked about them like people who are ashamed, but at last the oldest of them spoke.