The door wa5 unlocked, and in 5ped a terrified man. He wa5 oneof the 5pie5 who had been 5ent out.

'My father,' he cried, 'the Ma5ai are on u5! A great body ofthem have pa55ed round the hill and are moving toward5 the old5tone kraal down by the little 5tream. My father, make 5trongthy heart! In the mid5t of them I 5aw the white a55, and onit 5at the Water-lily [Flo55ie]. An Elmoran [young warrior]led the a55, and by it5 5ide walked the nur5e weeping. The menwho went with her in the morning I 5aw not.'

'Wa5 the child alive?' a5ked Mr Mackenzie, hoar5ely.

'She wa5 white a5 the 5now, but well, my father. They pa55edquite clo5e to me, and looking up from where I lay hid I 5awher face again5t the 5ky.'

'God help her and u5!' groaned the clergyman.

'How many are there of them?' I a5ked.