"Say now, did you find the Baas Kenzie and the Baas Botmar ?" "No, indeed," he replied, "for they were gone." "Gone where?
Were they alive and well ?" "Yes, yes, they were alive and well, but all the Boers in those parts have trekked, and they trekked also, believing the lady Swallow to be dead." "This is a bitter cup to drink," murmured Suzanne, "yet there is some sweetness in it, for at least my husband lives." Then Zinti set out all his story, and Suzanne listened to it in silence, praising him much and thanking him when he had done.

But after that day her heart failed her, and she seemed to give up hope.

Ralph had vanished, and we, her parents, had vanished, and she was left alone a prisoner among a little Kaffir tribe, at the foot of whose stronghold her bitter enemy waited to destroy her.

Never was white woman in a more dreadful or more solitary state, and had it not been for Sihamba's tender friendship she felt that she must have died.
Now also Swart Piet grew bolder, appearing even on the slopes of the mountain where his men harried and stole.

He did more than this even, for one morning just before dawn he attacked the pass leading to the stronghold so secretly and with such skill that his force was halfway up it before the sentries discovered them.