That, to show his gratitude for the Chief's gracious pardon, no warrior in Metilulu's regiments should ever outrival him in warlike deeds, while he reckoned his life to belong to the noble-hearted white faces. They had but to ask him for it, and it was theirs to do with it as they would. This over, Metilulu, dismissing the troops, bade us sit down, he evidently being inclined for a chat. I was no little pleased that it should be so, for during our long talk the previous night it had been arranged that I should try to obtain leave for myself and Thompson to make our way to a white settlement, which Mr Ferguson said he knew was not very far off, and might be easily attained with a native guide. Both Jack and I had earnestly besought the minister to accompany us, but he firmly refused, saying he believed Providence had had a purpose in casting him on that shore, where he had already found that his words had not fallen entirely on stony places; therefore he should be but a poor soldier of heaven, indeed, did he leave so fair and promising a work uncompleted. No moment, it appeared, could have been more opportune than that I had chosen to speak about my departure, for the Chief was in the most obliging of humours. When, however, after a long talk respecting Kaffir affairs, I managed, by Mr Ferguson's aid, to bring the subject round to our own land and my strong desire to visit it--ending by stating how I had heard from my friends that a white settlement was not far off--if he would but grant me a guide and his royal permission to return, his face grew grave and my heart sunk. Neither, however, refusing nor acquiescing, he asked why it was I could not be happy there. To which I answered, "that all who were dear to me, all who made life worth living, in my eyes, were in England, and my heart was pining for them. Indeed, I felt I could not exist, but must die, if kept longer in uncertainty of their fate." I spoke as eloquently as I could, and Mr Ferguson also did what he was able, but Metilulu seemed in no way ready to grant the request. He said he liked me, that he had proved this even more than I knew--of course he referred to the rain-maker's evil prophecy--and he thought I was so happy that I would never have wished to leave the tribe. In return to this really kind speech, I warmly acknowledged the extreme kindness and hospitality which had been shown me, and confessed that I had not expected it, adding how great would be my pride when in England, if he would permit me to return there, to recount to my countrymen his noble behaviour to a poor shipwrecked sailor. This appeared rather to please him, and after a pause he said,-- "Then you all wish to leave me?" "Not so," broke in Mr Ferguson, "if you will grant me permission, I would desire yet to remain with your tribe."