Of course if he had told us this we should have guessed that the white bird could be none other than Suzanne, whose native name was Swallow.
Well, we set about reviving Ralph, which was done by throwing water on to his face.

When he had found his senses again I prayed him not to suffer himself to be carried away with hope, since although Gaasha had heard of Sihamba, he had heard nothing of Suzanne.
To this he answered that now when God had pointed out to him the mountain of his vision and in so strange a manner, he had no fear but that he would find his wife upon it, since God was merciful and did not desire to mock or torment His servants.
I replied that I trusted it might be so, but the ways of the Almighty were beyond our understanding, nor did it become us to pass judgment upon them.

Ralph scarcely heeded my words, but, springing to his feet, said: "Come, let us be going to the mountain Umpondwana." "First we must consult with the commandant and get aid from him," said Jan, "for it would not be safe that we should wander into these wild places alone, where there are many Kaffirs who doubtless would murder us." In his eagerness Ralph would not listen to this, for he desired to start at once.

But I pointed out to him that we had no horses, all ours being dead of the sickness; moreover, that the night was dark, and we could not trek till the moon rose, so at length he consented.

Then we went into the laager, and Jan called the older men together in a quiet place.
"What is it, Heer Botmar ?" asked the commandant when they were assembled.
"It is this, cousin," said Jan.