Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand

column, under Colonel Pearson, is to crossthe Lower Tugela, and move on by Ekowe. A second, under Colonel EvelynWood, is to enter by crossing the Blood river, near Kambula. The third,commanded by Lord Chelmsford himself, will set out from Rorke's Drift,and penetrate to the interior by Isandhlwana Hill. If Cetewayo fallsback, as they expect, before them, the columns will meet at Ulundi.There he must fight them or surrender. That is what I am told; but ofcourse it is only rumour."

  "Well, Cetewayo certainly intends to fight us, and I hope the plan ofoperations may be successful. But it does not concern me, and I amanxious to be out of it. Can't we go on, resting at any place where wecan find shelter,--at Umvalosa or elsewhere,--and get to Horner's Kraal?There we shall be well out of it all."

  "I really don't think you can, Baylen. I don't think you'd be troubledby Umbelini and his Zulus. As soon as Wood and his men move to theirstation on the Blood river, he is sure to take himself off, and will notreturn while Wood and his troops remain in that neighbourhood. But thecountry is full of lawless characters of all kinds,--escaped convicts,bush robbers, and adventurers who have lost everything at the diamondfields. There is no legal authority to keep them in control--nosufficient authority, at all events, and they would murder any one forthe value of a tobacco pipe. It would not be safe for the ladies ofyour party, at all events, to attempt the journey, unless with amilitary escort, until order has been restored."

  "And I suppose there is a general flight to Rorke's Drift?"

  "There were a great many on their way there yesterday. I passed youngVander Heyden and his sister, accompanied by Frank Moritz, as I rodeout."

  "Vander Heyden and Moritz! Why, they were in Durban a week or so ago!"

  "Yes; but they travelled faster than you. They reached Vander Heyden'shouse--Bushman's Drift, as it is called--just in time to see it all in ablaze, and the Zulus plundering and killing every one they encountered.Henryk and the others had just time to escape. If they had got there afew hours earlier, they would have been shot or assegayed too."

  "And they have gone now to Rorke's Drift?"

  "Yes; I exchanged a few words with Moritz. He was hot enough about whathe had witnessed. But he was calmness itself to Vander Heyden. _He_did not say a word; but he looked like a man who meant to do somethingterrible, when the time came. I fancy some one, of whom he was veryfond, must have been killed. But I did not like to ask. I gathered,however, that he was not going to Rorke's Drift for protection, but forrevenge on those miscreants. Bitterly and notoriously as he dislikesthe English, he means to join their army as a mounted volunteer. TheLord have mercy on the Zulus that come in his way, for he will havenone. He is an experienced soldier, and will be a valuable recruit."

  "Well," said Baylen, "I don't know that I can greatly blame him. Ishall not be at all surprised if a great many should be found to followhis example. It is certainly high time that a stop should be put tothese atrocities. Well, Hardy, I shall follow your advice. I shallsend off the waggon with Mrs Baylen and Clara, with Matamo to take careof them, to-morrow morning, and I shall follow with the other as soon aswe have got it out of the Mooi. I suppose the road to Rorke's Drift isopen and safe, is it not?"

  "Well, for it to be that, Umbelini and his Zulus must have withdrawn. Iexpect to hear with certainty about that to-morrow morning, and willcome down and tell you about it before I start. Mrs Baylen must notset off until the road is safe."

  "Many thanks. By-the-bye, I forgot to ask whether you have sufferedmuch loss yourself from this Impi?"

  "Not very much, thank you. I had fortunately sold off my stock a shorttime ago, and I had the money with me. My servants also got notice intime, and made their escape, with most of the articles of any realvalue. The house has been burnt and wrecked; but I daresay I shall getcompensation when the war is over. Meanwhile, I mean to follow VanderHeyden's example, and take service with the mounted volunteers."

  CHAPTER TEN.

  Baylen returned to the pastor's house too late to impart any of theinformation he had received to the rest of the family; and, besides, hejudged it better that they should all get a sound night's rest,undisturbed by perplexities and alarms. He was up, however, bydaybreak, and soon afterwards Hardy arrived with the information thatUmbelini and his warriors had all returned to their mountains withouthaving approached Umvalosa. No doubt this was due to the fact that someof Colonel Evelyn Wood's men were on their way to the Blood river. Butthe condition of the Transvaal, between Umvalosa and Horner's Kraal, waseven worse than he had described it. If Mr Baylen could obtain anescort of soldiers for the first ten miles or so, it might be safe forhim to go, but not otherwise.

  "Very well," said Mr Baylen. "I shan't be able to get that--not forsome time, at all events. And I am more likely to get it at Rorke'sDrift than anywhere else. So the plan I agreed on with you last nightshall hold good. I shall send Matamo to get the waggon ready as soon aspossible. When I have seen that off, the boys and I will go down to theMooi. Mr Rivers, what will you and Mr Margetts like to do? It willbe of no use your going to Mr Rogers' station, after what Hardy hastold us, and I don't think it will be any better if you went toSpielman's Vley. It is very improbable that you would find the Mansensthere."

  "True, sir," said George; "so I was thinking myself. But I should learnthere what had become of them, and I am most anxious to join my motheras quickly as possible."

  "Spielman's Vley?" interposed Hardy. "What, Ludwig Mansen's oldstation, do you mean, near Landman's Drift, where I live?"

  "Yes," answered George. "Mrs Mansen is my mother."

  "Really! ah, and Mrs Mansen's daughter is named Rivers, and you arelike her. I have been puzzling my head for a long time who of myacquaintances it was whom you were so like. I know Mrs Mansen and hersecond husband very well. But I thought that her only son had been lostat sea."

  "So she believes," said George. "I was wrecked, and nearly all handswere lost."

  "She will be very happy when she learns the truth. But it will be nouse for you to go to Spielman's Vley to find her. Six months ago,almost immediately after Mr Rogers' departure, there came news thatMrs Mansen's uncle, who lived near Zeerust, had died, and bequeathedall his property to her. It is a valuable and productive farm, I amtold, and I fancy Mansen did not like the look of things in these parts,and resolved to move to Zeerust. He sold Spielman's Vley, and moved offas soon as he could to his new place. He has been gone a good manyweeks. He has probably before this settled down at Umtongo, asChristopher Wylie's farm was called."

  "And where is Zeerust?" asked George, a good deal disturbed at thesetidings. "Zeerust! wasn't that the place you were saying somethingabout last night, Mr Baylen?"

  "Yes," answered the person addressed. "I believe I mentioned Zeerust,in the story I told you about Matamo. It is a long way there--three orfour hundred miles, I should think. And it was, in the days when I wasspeaking about, a very dangerous journey. But I have no doubt it ismuch easier now. You mustn't be cast down, my lad," he continuedkindly, observing how much George appeared to be distressed. "You are astout young fellow, with a head on your shoulders, and a brave heart toboot. You will get there, I have no doubt, quite safe. Don't you thinkso, Hardy?"

  "I have no doubt of it," answered the person addressed. "The only thingis that I don't think Mr Rivers can attempt the journey just now."

  "Why not?" asked George. "I heard what you said about Mrs and MissBaylen, and I quite agreed in it, but there will be no ladies in ourparty, and I can make my hand guard my head. At least, I have neverfailed to do so yet."

  "I don't doubt it, Mr Rivers," said Hardy. "But the danger to youwould not be only from ruffians and robbers; there would be risk fromwild animals to any one not acquainted with the country. There are notmany lions or rhinoceroses or elephants in those parts, no doubt; youseldom or never meet with them about there in these days. But there areplenty of leopards and buffaloes, and, what is more dangerous, deadlyserpents--puff-adders, ondaras,
cobras, and the like. And you may catchmarsh fever any day, if you sleep in the swamp neighbourhood. You wouldrequire one skilful guide at least, and it would be better if you hadtwo or three. Now these are not to be had at present. You must waittill this war is over, which we may hope will not be a long one. Thenperhaps Mr Baylen here will lend you Matamo and Utango. They wouldtake you across safely enough."

  "I think that might be managed," assented Farmer Baylen. "Hardy'sadvice is good. You will do wisely to wait till this war is ended."

  "I have no doubt of his kindness, or of yours either, sir," said George;"but I own that this delay, coming after so many months of expectation,does vex me. How long do you think it will be before the war is over,Mr Hardy?"

  "That is hard to say," answered Hardy. "It depends on how our troopsare handled, and how quickly they may be able to force on a battle."

  "You have no doubt as to what will be the issue of the battle, when itdoes take place?" suggested Redgy.

  "Well, no. Against disciplined English troops, unless there were greatincapacity or great cowardice, the blind courage of these Zulus wouldavail little. But there can hardly be incapacity, for Colonels Wood andPearson are undoubtedly able officers, and Lord Chelmsford has the nameof being a good general--though that has not been so clearly proved.And such a thing as cowardice in English soldiers is unheard of. I amnot so sure, however, about the Natal contingent. There is such aterror of Cetewayo among the natives, that, but for the presence andexample of English troops, I do not feel certain that they could be gotto face the Zulus. However, the chances are that a few weeks will seethe Zulu king defeated and put down."

  "Well, I don't think I can do better than take your advice," saidGeorge. "I suppose Redgy and I had better go with your party to Rorke'sDrift, if you will allow us. Perhaps I may be of some use there."

  "Perhaps you may indeed," suggested Hardy. "Why, you and Mr Margettshad better join the mounted volunteers, as I mean to do. They would bedelighted to have you, and in a few weeks' time--before the fightingbegins at all events--you will have had nearly all the drilling thatwould be required."

  "That is not a bad idea," returned George. "I wonder I did not think ofit before. What do you say to it, Redgy?"

  "Why, that it has been running in my head all the morning," saidMargetts. "You see you and I have been taught to ride pretty well.They won't require of you to have a seat like a life-guardsman inPiccadilly, with the tips of your toes in the stirrup, out here. And weknow how to shoot too, and are pretty good hands at single-stick, andwill soon learn the use of our swords. We should soon be qualified forthe rough and ready work out here. I should like to see these Zulufellows bowled over, I must say."

  "Very good! then that's settled," said George. "We'll ride over withthe waggon to Rorke's Drift this morning, and offer ourselves asvolunteers; and I think we had better go and saddle our horses at once,as I see they are inspanning the oxen already. We have only to take ourleave of Mr and Mrs Bilderjik, and thank them for their hospitality."

  "You need not take leave of me yet, Mr Rivers," said the Swedishpastor. "I am going, with Mr Baylen's leave, to make one of the partyto the Drift, and Mrs Bilderjik will accompany me."

  "I hope you don't imagine there is any danger here from the Zulus,"remarked Hardy. "As I have told my friend Baylen, the Zulu Impi hasbeen already withdrawn, nor is there the least chance of its return."

  "I do not imagine there is," said Mr Bilderjik. "Nor has Umbelinianything to do with my movements. But I think my brother pastor atRorke's Drift and his wife will have more on their hands for some timeto come than they can manage, and that they will be glad of our help. Ican be better spared here, where my schoolmaster will do all that isrequired in ordinary, and I shall ride over occasionally myself. I amgoing to fetch my horse, and will ride with you. You may be glad of mypresence as a guide, and also, it is possible, to answer questions thatmay be asked. There are a great many suspicious characters about, andthe officers in command require explanations before they allow any oneto pass."

  "I forgot that," said George, "and so, I suppose, did Mr Baylen."

  "No, I imagine he reckoned on your riding by the side of the waggons, inwhich case you would of course have passed as belonging to his party.But you would find it very dull work, keeping by the side of the waggonthe whole way."

  In another half-hour they had all set out--Baylen and his sons to theMooi, and Hardy to Umvalosa. The large waggon jolted off with theladies seated in it. The missionary and the two young Englishmencantered off in advance, Haxo, the Hottentot groom and stableman,following on a Kaffir pony.

  "Have you been long settled in this country, Mr Bilderjik?" askedGeorge, as they drew rein after a sharp ride of half an hour.

  "Do you mean in South Africa, or in Natal?"

  "I mean in Africa generally. How long is it since you left Europe?"

  "A great many years--five-and-thirty or so. It is certainly nearly thattime since I landed at Cape Town, and was sent up to Namaqualand."

  "Ah, you have been there, among the Hottentots?"

  "I was about five years there."

  "Were you settled in one place, or did you travel about?"

  "My residence was always in the same place, but I and my wife madecontinual excursions into different parts of the country."

  "Did you find the people willing to receive you?"

  "That is a question which it is not easy to answer," said the Swedishminister. "They showed no dislike to us; indeed, they were willingenough to listen, but, I fear, to very little purpose. For the firsttwo or three years, I continually fancied that I was making someprogress, getting some hold upon them. But I am afraid it was nearlyall fancy."

  "What stood in your way?"

  "In the first place, the profound ignorance of the people, and their lowintellectual capacity. They could understand all that was necessary forsupplying their wants, averting dangers, relieving pain, and the like.If Christianity consisted in the proper discharge of duties like these,one might have made good Christians of them without any greatdifficulty. They might have been taught to be diligent, and kind, andtruthful, and forgiving--though those last two qualities were not soeasy to teach. But when any one tried to impress upon them the notionof an Unseen Power watching over them, to whom they owed obedience, oneentered upon an almost impossible task. They couldn't understand thatany being could exist whom they could not see, much less that he couldhave power or authority over them. Where was any evidence of soextraordinary a thing, beyond my bare word? It was useless, again, totell them that their relatives, who had been taken away from earth, werenot dead, but living elsewhere. They had seen them die, they said, andknew that they turned to dust, and there was no more left of them thanthere was of the wood they had burned for their fire yesterday. Theywere on the whole a kindly race, and had received such hard usage fromthe Dutch that they appreciated in proportion the kindness shown tothem. But it was impossible to lift their minds--so at least itseemed--from the degradation to which they had sunk."

  "Had you not a better chance with the children, sir?" asked Margetts.

  "That is every missionary's hope," answered Bilderjik. "Yes, wesucceeded in teaching some of the children to read and write, though, tobe sure, not very efficiently; and they could take in some very simpleteaching on plain subjects, as, for instance, natural history, orgeography. I suppose this might have been further developed, until, inprocess of time, the intellect was fully awakened. But it would be along and difficult task, extending probably over more than one man'sentire life."

  "But to have accomplished any part of such a work would be worth thelabour of a life," said George.

  The missionary looked pleased. "You are right, Mr Rivers," he said."That is the true way in which to view it. A man's work is often to beestimated--not by what he himself does, but by what he enables othersafter him to do. `One soweth and another reapeth,' is truer, I think,of the work of the gospel than of anyt
hing else. Have you any idea ofgiving yourself to it?"

  "I have come out to South Africa mainly with that intention," saidGeorge. "It has struck me, since we left Colenso, that entering theVolunteers, as I declared my intention of doing, may not be quiteconsistent with it. What do you think?"

  The clergyman smiled. "A minister of the gospel is a man of peace," hesaid. "But war is sometimes absolutely necessary to the preservation ofpeace. And that, I am inclined to believe, is the case in the presentinstance. If you were actually an ordained minister, I think you oughtnot to take part in any violent proceedings, unless for the purpose ofpreventing some actual deed of violence. But you are at present alayman, and the cause is one which every right-minded man ought touphold. Situated as you are, I don't see why you should not enlist.Did I not hear you say that you were going to Umvalosa?"

  "Yes, to Dykeman's Hollow--Mr Rogers' place."

  "Oh ay, I know him," said Mr Bilderjik. "He is a good and worthy man,and so is his chaplain, Mr Lambert. He often visits me. We agree thatthere is very little