One should always try to make an impression upon the enemy in Africa, for the sake of future travellers if for no other reason.
In due course Stephen and the hunters returned with the guns, or most of them, and reported that the slave people were in great state of terror, and showed a disposition to bolt.
"Let them bolt," I answered.

"They would be of no use to us in a row and might even complicate matters.

Call in the Zulus who are watching at once." He nodded, and a few minutes later I heard--for the mist which hung about the bush to the east of the camp was still too dense to allow of my seeing anything--a clamour of voices, followed by the sound of scuttling feet.

The slave people, including our bearers, had gone, every one of them.

They even carried away the wounded.