How near or how far we were from it, we could not tell since the moon was invisible, as of course the smoke was in the dark.

Now the question was, what should we do?
Obviously there would be enormous advantages in a night attack, or at least in locating the enemy, so that it might be carried out at dawn before he marched.

Especially was this so, since we were scarcely in a condition even if we could come face to face with them, to fight these savages when they were prepared and in the light of day.

Only we two white men, with Hans, Umslopogaas and his Zulus, could be relied upon in such a case, since the Strathmuir mixed-bloods had become entirely demoralised and were not to be trusted at a pinch.

Indeed, tired and half starving as we were, none of us was at his best.