He spoke hurriedly now and in an altered tone--even as a man who has said too much and is not free from misgiving as to the consequences. He seemed anxious to depart, and seeing that nothing more was to be got out of him for the present, the two made no objection. Hardly had he departed than Josane appeared. He had noted the arrival of Xalasa, though Xalasa was under the impression that he was many miles distant. He had waited until the _amakosi_ [Literally "chiefs." In this connection "masters"] had finished their _indaba_ [Talk] and here he was. He was filled with delight at the sight of Ixeshane and his eyes felt good. His "father" and his "friend" had been away for many moons, but now he was back again and the night was lighter than the day. His "father" could see, too, how he had kept his trust, the old man went on. Where were the houses of all the other white _amakosi_! Heaps of ashes. The house of his "father" alone was standing--it alone the torch had passed by. As for the destruction which had taken place within it, that could not be prevented. The people "saw red." It had taxed the utmost effort of himself and Ncanduku to preserve the house. Reft of hyperbole, his narrative was plain enough. A marauding band had made a descent upon the place on the very night they had quitted it, and, although with difficulty dissuaded from burning it down, the savages had wrecked the furniture and looted the stores, as we have shown. This, however, was comparatively a small evil. Hoste, wearied with all this talk, which moreover he understood but imperfectly, had waxed restive and strolled away. No sooner was he out of earshot than Josane, sinking his voice, remarked suddenly: "Xalasa is a fool!" Eustace merely assented. He saw that something was coming, and prepared to listen attentively. "Do you want to find Umlilwane?" went on the old Kafir with ever so slight an expression on the "want." "Of course I do," was the unhesitating reply. But for the space of half a minute the white man and the savage gazed fixedly into each other's faces in the starlight. "_Au_! If I had known that!" muttered Josane in a disappointed tone. "If I had known that, I could have told you all that Xalasa has--_could have told you many moons ago_." "You knew it, then?" "Yes." "And is it true--that--that he is alive now?" "Yes." "But, Josane, how is it you kept your knowledge to yourself? He might have been rescued all this time. Now it may be too late." "_Whau_, Ixeshane! Did _you_ want him rescued?" said the old fellow shrewdly. "Did the _Inkosikazi_ want him rescued?" This was putting matters with uncomfortable plainness. Eustace reddened in the darkness. "Whatever we `wanted,' or did not want, is nothing," he answered. "This is a matter of life and death. He must be rescued."