30 JANUARY 1897, Page 13

The Vigil. By Charles Montague. (Constable and Co.)—A Zulu of

good birth, who has accompanied a hunter on a big-game expedition, is persuaded to tell his history by the camp fire while the camp is on the qui vive lest lions should stampede the cattle. Such is the idea of the story, which is handled with real art by Charles Montague. Umkonto, who tells the story, is a promising young warrior under King Cetywayo, but the girl of his choice is loved by richer men than himself; hence, as neither she nor he will give way, the ruin of 17mkonto's family and his flight to British protection. There are some dramatic scenes in The Vigil, and the characters are lifelike. The hero himself and his friend Lange interest us, and the German missionary, with his fine sense of duty, is a minor character of great value. The Vigil is a good story, well written, and we may recommend it to all readers.