Eanswyth, for her part, was quite overcome with the thrilling, intoxicating happiness of the hour. But what an hour! They were fleeing through the night--fleeing for their lives--their way lighted by the terrible signal beacons of the savage foe--by the glare of flaming homesteads fired by his ravaging and vengeful hand. But then, he who was dead is alive again, and is beside her--they two fleeing together through the night. "Darling," she whispered at last, nestling up closer to him. "Why did they try to kill me by telling me you were dead?" "They had every reason to suppose so. Now, what do you think stood between me and certain death?" "What?" "Your love--not once, but twice. The silver box. See. Here it is, where it has ever been--over my heart. Twice it turned the point of the assegai." "Eustace!" "It is as I say. Your love preserved me for yourself." "Oh, my darling, surely then it cannot be so wicked--so unlawful!" she exclaimed with a quiver in her voice. "I never believed it could," he replied. Up till then, poor Tom's name had not been mentioned. Both seemed to avoid allusion to it. Now, however, that Eustace had to narrate his adventures and escape, it could not well be avoided. But in describing the strange impromptu duel between the Gcaleka warrior and his unfortunate cousin, he purposely omitted any reference to the latter's probable hideous fate, leaving Eanswyth to suppose he had been slain then and there. It was impossible that she should have been otherwise than deeply moved. "He died fighting bravely, at any rate," she said at last. "Yes. Want of courage was never one of poor Tom's failings. All the time we were out he was keener on a fight than all the rest of the command put together." There was silence after this. Then at last: "How did you escape, Eustace, my darling? You have not told me." "Through paying ransom to that same Hlangani and paying pretty stiffly too. Four hundred and fifty head of good cattle was the figure. Such a haggle as it was, too. It would have been impolitic to agree too quickly. Then, I had to square this witch-doctress, and I daresay old Kreli himself will come in for some of the pickings. From motives of policy we had to carry out the escape as if it was a genuine escape and not a put-up job--but they managed it all right--took me across the river on some pretext or other and then gave me the opportunity of leg-bail. As soon as the war is over Hlangani will come down on me for the cattle." "How did you know I was back at Anta's Kloof, dearest? Did the Hostes tell you?" said Eanswyth at last. "No. I met that one-eyed fellow Tomkins just outside Komgha. I only waited while he called up two or three more to back his statement and then started off here as hard as ever I could send my nag over the ground."