He sat down in the hut among the ashes of the dying fire. Lee could not see his comrade's face, for it was buried in his hands, bowed upon his knees; but the young man's frame shook like an aspen-tree; and oh! the bitter agony of the voice that cried aloud, "God have mercy on me!" Surely the good angels then shedding their influence on the desolate being dictated that solemn and heart-rending appeal, and then heralded the cry to heaven! Lee looked at the deserter with some contempt, but uttered no harsh word. He contented himself with sketching out a plan for Gray's guidance on the arrival of trading messengers between the Umzimvooboo and the Witches' Krantz; delivered to his charge a letter in cipher, to be forwarded to Brennard, explaining the necessity of his visit to the Stormberg, on trading "thoughts intent," and transmitting a receipt connected with certain monetary transactions. He also mentioned his intention of returning to Umlala's kraal within a given time, and then, in serio-comic phraseology, proceeded to inform Gray that, on rejoining him, he should make a barter with the chief for "a few Kafir wives." "Don't be frightened, my lad," continued the reckless convict; "I assure you I have no intention of interfering with you, though I must own to a little regard for your girl on account of her white blood. Not that I owe the country I came from anything but a curse; but she is a deuced deal better-looking for her straight nose and smooth hair. The girl has good points, and I have shared the luck if I have not the love, for she makes good cakes, and can wash and mend my clothes as well as any Englishwoman. I should think, too, she was not to be had cheap; but you can afford to give a good lot of cattle for her, eh!" and Lee went on jeering, and puffing _dagha_ [the wild hemp, the seeds of which possess much of the stupefying powers of opium] out of a long wooden pipe, till Gray was too stupified with the vapour to resent the brutality of his companion, who having, at the opening of the conversation, drawn from the deserter all that he could touching his position with Amayeka, suggested finally, with apparent good faith, that in the event of any great crisis suddenly taking place among Umlala's people, the lovers should make their way to a spot, to be selected by Doda, in the road to the Stormberg. Doda, however, was to imagine the rendezvous was only for Lee and Gray, and under no circumstances to be enlightened as to the part Amayeka was to take in this episode of the young deserter's life. Gray was awoke the next morning by the light streaming in through the hut door, which was ajar. He had been late in falling asleep, and was heavy, and disinclined to rise for the day; but he looked out,--the huts were yet closed, the cattle still in the kraals; there was profound silence on the plain,--the sun had just gilded the eastern heights.