The rage of the four assailants was increasing momentarily, and I began to fear the consequences, when there was a cry of terror, a lull, then a sudden skulking away of the group. A man--the bridegroom--had appeared in the midst, grasping a stick, with which he liberally belaboured the bare shoulders of his first wives, who, with affrighted cries, and amid the laughter of the spectators, hurried off to their hut, while the bridegroom followed at a more leisurely pace, accompanied by his new bride. The event had made me for a while forget my own trouble; but when all again had become still, it returned to my mind, and I became more uneasy than ever at the delay. I soon, however, felt convinced that Tugela would not come that night, for everything was growing quiet in the kraal, betokening rest. The smokers had crawled into their dwellings, the Southern Cross gleamed brightly overhead, and the stillness of nature was only broken by the occasional low of the cattle or the roar of some wild beast in the adjacent bush. So, stretching myself upon my mat, I tried to sleep by banishing my own troubles from my mind, and employing my brain by surmising what fate could have overtaken Jack Thompson and Mr Ferguson, the missionary. By this means I at last fell into an uneasy slumber, from which I did not awake till early morning, when my first thoughts naturally recurred to the chief's proposal the day before, and, as I had waited on the previous evening, I now as anxiously did so for Tugela's appearance. I also became aware that I was very hungry, and that no food had been sent me, which I was attributing to the first signs of Metilulu's displeasure, when my attention was attracted by a commotion among the people. Peering stealthily out, I saw that concern was marked on the faces of every passer-by, as they went rapidly to and fro, casting suspicious glances at each other. It was at this moment that Tugela at last appeared. I started up to receive him, and also make room for him to enter. On his doing so, my first question was as to how his chief had received my reply. "Fortunately for you," he answered, "the Great Eagle's attention has been directed to another event--one which will affect all the kraal." "That _has_ affected it, I should think," I rejoined. "You know what it is?" he questioned. "No, not yet." "Then the favourite wife of Metilulu has been suddenly taken ill, and the kraal is all aroused to learn who has made her so. The chief has sent to the witch-doctor to find out." "The witch-doctor! Why?" "Because it has been caused by magic." "What! do you think illness can come but by the influence of that?" Tugela gravely shook his head. "Yes; some one has a spite against Anzutu, and has cast the illness upon her. You need not now fear for yourself," he added, "your rejection of the bride Metilulu would have given you is forgotten for the time by this last event."