The four smoke-grimed and dishevelled men prepared to resume their journey on foot. There was a considerable amount of baggage that had survived the fire in addition to that lost in the car. The two rifles and ammunition, tinned provisions and blankets, even when distributed between four persons, made quite a heavy load, and before long they would feel heavier still.
Of the car nothing remained but the four cylinders, a twisted crank-case, the steel chassis, and a medley of buckled pipes, wires, and rods.
"And the worst of it is," remarked Colonel Narfield, "she wasn't insured. I wrote to an agent in Nairobi only last Monday, but as I didn't know the amount of the premium there's nothing doing in that line. Now, lads, mind your step. Keep a look out for snakes. They're rather more formidable than the grass snakes you used to hunt for on the hills around Stockmere."
For the next hour progress was well maintained in spite of the rough road. It was steadily down hill, the path skirting the bold face of the mountain for nearly two miles before it descended into a grassy valley.
Presently Colin caught sight of a column of smoke rising from a collection of beehive-shaped huts.
"That's Sibenga's Kraal," announced Colonel Narfield. "The natives in this part are of Zulu stock, and in their manners and customs they don't differ much from their blood relations in Natal."
"Are they Makoh'lengas?" asked Colin.
"Makoh'lengas?" repeated Herbert Narfield, "No; but what do you know about Makoh'lenga?"
Colin told him.
"H'm," remarked his questioner. "And who, might I ask, spun you this fairy tale? Your friend Van der Wyck, eh? He must be a humorist of sorts. Let me tell you that the Makoh'lenga are almost pure-blooded Zulus. It is true that they trekked north, but the yarn about a secret city is all eye-wash. The Makoh'lenga invariably live in kraals, and since they are not allowed to fight they rear cattle. A few, I believe, work in the mines, but only a few."