Then I sat down, lit my pipe and waited.

It was extraordinarily lonesome in that place; at least this was the feeling that came over me.

No doubt the sun was up behind the Ceza Stronghold that I have mentioned, which towered high behind me, for the sky above grew light with the red rays of its rising.
But all the vast Black Kloof with its huge fantastic rocks was still plunged in gloom, whereof the shadows seemed to oppress my heart, weary as I was with my wakeful night and many anxieties.
I was horribly nervous also and, as it proved, not without reason.

Presently I heard rustlings on the further side of the fence as of people creeping about cautiously, and the sound of whispering.

Then of a sudden the gate was thrown open and through it emerged about a dozen Zulu warriors, all of them ringed men, who instantly surrounded me, seated there upon the ground.
I looked at them and they looked at me for quite a long while, since following my usual rule, I determined not to be the first to speak.