Apparently some misgivings as to the effect that might be produced by his
appearance occurred to the hunter. At any rate, he looked first at the two
white women standing on the brow, and next at his own peculiar attire,
which appeared to consist chiefly of the pelt of a lion, plus a very
striking pair of trousers manufactured from the hide of a zebra, and
halted about sixty yards away, staring at them. Rachel, whose sight was
exceedingly keen, could see his face well, for the light of the setting
sun fell on it, and he wore no head covering. It was a dark, handsome face
of a man about thirty-five years of age, with strongly-marked features,
black eyes and beard, and long black hair that fell down on to his
shoulders. They gazed at each other for a while, then the man turned to
his after-rider, gave him an order in a clear, strong voice, and rode away
inland. The after-rider, on the contrary, directed his horse up the rise
until he was within a few yards of them, then sprang to the ground and
saluted.

"What is it?" asked Rachel in Zulu, a language which she now spoke
perfectly.

"Inkosikaas" (that is--Lady), answered the man, "my master thinks that you
may be hungry and sends you a present of this buck," and, as he spoke, he
loosed the riem or hide rope by which it was fastened behind his saddle,
and let the animal fall to the ground.

Rachel turned her eyes from it, for it was covered with blood, and
unpleasant to look at, then replied:

"My father and my mother thank your master. How is he named, and where
does he dwell?"