Chapter Five.
Crossing the Tugela.
The bank of the river was reached. The stream was broad and rapid. Crawford and Percy looked at it with dismay.
“By what means are we to get across?” exclaimed the former.
“I’m sure I can’t tell,” said Percy. “There’s not a ford here, at all events.”
“We’ll soon show you,” said Denis.
The oxen were outspanned, and while the Hottentots began unloading the waggon, the Kaffirs, headed by their leader, went along the river, and cut down a number of poles of a soft buoyant wood. These they immediately began to form into a couple of rafts. The waggon being unloaded, was next rapidly taken to pieces, and the wheels lashed together, while the upper sides and pole being removed, the rest of the vehicle formed a strong and substantial raft. Long poles and paddles having been procured, a portion of the goods were placed on it and the other rafts. Four of the Kaffirs then stepped on the smallest two, having long poles and two paddles, and commenced the passage, shouting loudly as they did so, the paddlers splashing the water.
“What do they make all that noise for?” asked Crawford.