Better, like many of their people, to have perished at once by the spears of Umzilikazi and other savages than to endure these lingering tortures of fever and starvation.
As I finished reading this letter my father, who had been out visiting some of his Mission Kaffirs, entered the house, and I went into the sitting-room to meet him.
"Why, Allan, what is the matter with you ?" he asked, noting my tear-stained face.
I gave him the letter, for I could not speak, and with difficulty he deciphered it.
"Merciful God, what dreadful news!" he said when he had finished.

"Those poor people! those poor, misguided people! What can be done for them ?" "I know one thing that can be done, father, or at any rate can be attempted.

I can try to reach them." "Are you mad ?" he asked.

"How is it possible for you, one man, to get to Delagoa Bay, buy cattle, and rescue these folk, who probably are now all dead ?" "The first two things are possible enough, father.

Some ship will take me to the Bay.