It was their plan to travel by night, reaching the
broken country near the Crocodile Drift on the following morning. Here
they proposed to lie hid that day and through the night; then, having
first collected the cattle which had preceded them, to cross the river
at the break of dawn and escape into Natal. At least this was the
plan of his companions; but, as we know, Hadden had another programme,
whereon after one last appearance two of the party would play no part.
During that long afternoon's journey Umgona, who knew every inch of the
country, walked ahead driving the fifteen cattle and carrying in his
hand a long travelling stick of black and white _umzimbeet_ wood, for in
truth the old man was in a hurry to reach his journey's end. Next came
Nahoon, armed with a broad assegai, but naked except for his moocha and
necklet of baboon's teeth, and with him Nanea in her white bead-bordered
mantle. Hadden, who brought up the rear, noticed that the girl seemed
to be under the spell of an imminent apprehension, for from time to time
she clasped her lover's arm, and looking up into his face, addressed him
with vehemence, almost with passion.
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