It was close upon dawn when we reached my place, and as I attended to the refreshment and comfort of my love, after her trying and perilous experience, it was as a foretaste of the future. Her people would be here as soon as they could possibly arrive, meanwhile she was under my care. And she needed sleep. Tom, now cut loose from his night's bonds, but none the worse, came up looking very sulky and foolish, and muttering vengeance against the Xosa, who for his part cared not a straw for such. A judicious present however soon altered that mood, and I believe he would have been quite willing to undergo the same treatment over again on the same terms, and bustled about making himself generally useful with renewed zest. Ah, how fair arose that morning's dawn. All that I held precious--my whole world as it were--lay peacefully sleeping within that hut, and while I kept guard outside, half fearing lest again that priceless gem should be stolen from its casket, an overwhelming rush of intense thankfulness surged deep through my heart. What had I done--what could I ever do--to deserve such a gift, now valued, if possible, a hundredfold by reason of the awful agony and blank of a temporary loss? Far down in the river-bed lay waves of fleecy mist, and the rising sun gilded the heights with his early splendour. Birds piped and flashed among the dewy bush sprays, and the low of cattle and bark of a dog from a distant kraal floated upward. All was fair and bright and peaceful-- and within--my love still slept on, serene, quiet, secure. CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE DEW. Aida looked none the worse for her adventures as she came forth into the clear freshness of the morning. The lethargic effect of the drug seemed to have left her entirely, and she was quite her old self, bright, sunny, fascinating as ever. But scarcely had we begun to talk than we saw three persons approaching on horseback. "They haven't lost much time coming for you," I said, as I made out the rest of the family. "And I wanted you all to myself a little longer." "You mustn't say that, dear," she answered, with a return pressure from the hand I was holding. "They are perhaps just a little bit fond of me too." "Hallo, Glanton," sung out the Major, breathless with excitement, as he rode up. "What the dickens is this cock and bull yarn your fellow has been spinning us. I can't make head or tail of it and I didn't stop to try. Anyhow, there's my little girl again all safe and sound. She is safe and sound? Eh?"