to begin."



CHAPTER V

THE END OF THE LAAGER

I gasped with wonder and rage. What did that scoundrel Indaba-zimbi
mean? Why had I been drawn out of the laager and seized, and why, being
seized, was I not instantly killed? They called me the "White Spirit."
Could it be that they were keeping me to make me into medicine? I had
heard of such things being done by Zulus and kindred tribes, and my
blood ran cold at the thought. What an end! To be pounded up, made
medicine of, and eaten!

However, I had little time for further reflection, for now the whole
Impi was pouring back from the donga and river-banks where it had hidden
while their ruse was carried out, and once more formed up on the side
of the slope. I was taken to the crest of the slope and placed in the
centre of the reserve line in the especial charge of a huge Zulu named
Bombyane, the same man who had come forward as a herald. This brute
seemed to regard me with an affectionate curiosity. Now and again he
poked me in the ribs with the handle of his assegai, as though to assure
himself that I was solid, and several times he asked me to be so good
as to prophesy how many Zulus would be killed before the "Amaboona," as
they called the Boers, were "eaten up."

At first I took no notice of him beyond scowling, but presently, goaded
into anger, I prophesied that he would be dead in an hour!