When from the pit they had heard the fray above, Mr Ferguson, guessing I must be surrounded by the natives, consequently in danger, instantly endeavoured to get out and hasten to my help; for this purpose he had made Thompson kneel on hands and knees, then standing upon his shoulders, had nearly grasped the top of the pit, when Jack, weak from pain and exertion, sunk down, causing Mr Ferguson to fall heavily to the ground. A few moments after, recovering himself, he had with much difficulty succeeded in clambering out; but then he found the place deserted, for, as it may be remembered, I had been instantly wounded by a spear and at once marched off to the kraal. He was, however, without one thought of himself, about to pursue and assist me if possible, when a moan of pain from poor Thompson reached him, and reminded him how helpless he was, wounded and insensible at the bottom of the giraffe trap. Therefore, wisely considering that among so large a body of men, as by their yells he knew them to be, he could at the present moment be but of little service to myself, he determined to remain with the one he could aid; and running to the bush, for he no longer cared about being seen, he procured some strong monkey-ropes, then returning dropped once more into the pit. There he fastened them as well as he could round Thompson, who had now recovered his senses, climbed out again, and, Jack helping himself as well as he was able with his hands, managed to draw him out. When this was done, having sat down a while for Thompson to recover himself a little, they commented sadly upon what they thought my misfortune. Afterwards they started off, if possible to track me; but this they failed to do, owing to their having taken a wrong direction, and, morning shortly breaking, were again compelled to hide in the bush. There they wandered about till nearly the close of day, when they were startled by perceiving the dark face of a Kaffir carefully inspecting their movements from among the trees. On finding he was seen, he disappeared, apparently as frightened of them as they were of him; whereupon, rejoicing, they had hurried off in a contrary direction, but, ten minutes after, the Kaffir yells again rang in their ears, and the next instant they found themselves surrounded by some twenty or thirty of the natives, armed with assagais. Seeing it was useless to resist, Mr Ferguson with difficulty restrained Jack's fierce British ebullition of defiance and rage, advising him to follow his example and quietly surrender themselves, as by that means they might win kindness instead of ill treatment from their assailants. "And," added the minister, when he had come to this part, bowing respectfully to Metilulu, "in that we were not deceived, for the tribe which you, most noble Chief, have just conquered, treated us most hospitably, and we have lived in peace among them up to this moment."