I told her, however, that I would come back to help her as soon as I could get away.

Then I went down to the native kraals to sort out such cattle as had belonged to Mr.Carson from those which belonged to the Kaffirs, for I proposed to take them with us.

It was a large herd, and the business took an incalculable time.

At length, a little before sundown, I gave it up, and leaving Indaba-zimbi to finish the job, got on my horse and rode homewards.
Arriving, I gave the horse to one of the stable boys, and went into the central hut.

There was no sign of Stella, though the things she had been packing lay about the floor.