On a bright morning, as soon as we had breakfasted, I mounted Natty on
the zebra's back, and leading him with my handkerchief, set off in the
direction of our home. I had manufactured some baskets, in which I
stowed the honeycombs and the remaining portion of our meat, with
several large white mushrooms. I hoped we might find provisions on our
way; at the same time, as I had only three or four charges of powder
left, I did not think it wise to abandon what we possessed. The little
zebra bore Natty very willingly, but, unaccustomed to the burden on its
back, could only proceed at a slower pace than I could have walked.
However, I was very thankful to have this means of conveyance for my
young friend. The sun came down with great heat, and I began to fear he
would suffer from it. Accordingly I steered a course towards a clump of
trees, where he might rest under the shade. I placed him on the ground,
and told him to hold the zebra, which, I was afraid, might, following
the wild instincts of its nature, scamper off. I then cut a stick and
several boughs with large leaves, with which I manufactured a parasol to
shelter him as we walked along. He was very grateful for the shade, and
begged that I would make it sufficiently large to shelter my head also.
This I accordingly did. I should have said that I had doubled up my
jacket and placed it on the zebra's back for a saddle. I made also, out
of some vines, a pair of stirrups, which enabled Natty to ride more at
ease.
Having taken some dinner, we again pushed on. I was greatly
disappointed when, as the evening began to close in, I found that we
were still at a considerable distance from the hill which we were
anxious to reach. Just as I had finished our hut, it occurred to me
that should we leave the zebra tethered outside, it might very likely
attract either lions or hyenas, or other wild beasts of prey. I
accordingly cut down a large number of stakes, with which I formed an
enclosure by the side of the hut. I covered it also with a tolerably
strong roof, lest any animal might leap over the walls. The little
creature had, I suspect, learned so severe a lesson during his
wanderings with his kindred, that he seemed fully to understand the
necessity for these arrangements. At all events, when I led him in he
was perfectly quiet and contented, especially when I gave him as much
grass as he could require. I also made up a large fire outside our hut,
and although I did not attempt to keep awake all the night, I was able
to rouse myself from time to time to throw on enough wood to keep it
alive. Although I heard the sounds of animals in the distance, the fire
prevented them from making an attack on us.
The next morning we again started. Natty looked somewhat better; but
when, in order to relieve the little zebra, he got off and attempted to
walk, he was unable to proceed many paces, and made no objection when I
again put him on the animal's back.
Our pet was tamed entirely by gentleness and kindness, or it would have
remained as wild and savage as its fellows. I believe there are no
animals which cannot be made subject to man, provided they are treated
in the right way. I have often wished that our horses and asses in
England were treated more gently. I am sure they would be more faithful
and useful animals than they often prove when subjected to a contrary
system.
As we proceeded, we began to recognise more clearly the outline of the
hills on which we had so long lived. Still, however, we were at a
considerable distance, and I soon saw that, at the slow rate we were
proceeding, another day must elapse before we could reach them. The
arrangements of the previous night were repeated with similar success.
We now hoped to reach our destination early in the afternoon. Once more
the lake appeared in sight, the stream running into it, the woods on the
other side, and the well-known hill, though we were much too far off to
distinguish our village. The little zebra seemed to know it also, for
he hastened his pace. We were anticipating the delight our reappearance
would give our friends, though then the thought came across us of the
disappointment they would feel at not seeing Leo. "But perhaps," said
Natty, "they have gone in search of him, and discovered him and brought
him back, and we shall find him all well; oh, how joyful that will be!"
As we reached the hill I could not resist the temptation of firing off
my rifle, to attract the attention of our friends, and give them notice
of our coming. No one, however, appeared; still I was sure they must
have heard the report. We wound our way up the hill, when we came to a
point where I expected to see the huts; but no trace of them could I
discover. The grass was green from the recent rains; the trees waved on
the hill-side as before; but the huts, the habitations of our friends,
where were they? I shouted out, but no answer came. My heart sank
within me. I could no longer restrain my anxiety, and telling Natty to
follow slowly, I rushed up the hill. There, on the spot where the huts
had stood, were heaps of charred timber. I felt faint and sick! What
had become of our friends! I scarcely dared to search about, lest I
might find some dreadful traces of their death. Oh no, no! It is
impossible! The dear, energetic, gentle Kate--such could not have been
her fate! And sweet little Bella too! Still, I could not resist the
temptation to search about. There were no traces of human beings. I
saw, too, by the way the grass had sprung up, that some time must have
passed since the fire took place. I roused myself as I saw Natty
approaching. I was afraid of what the effect might be on him, and
hurried down the hill to prepare him for the scene; indeed, I thought it
might be better to turn the zebra's head, and let him proceed down the
mountain again. Still, I did not like to leave the spot without a
further examination.
"I should like to look at it," said Natty, when I told him. "I cannot
believe that they are lost; and perhaps by an examination we may
discover something to guide us in our future proceedings."
The little zebra did not object to come up the hill, but when he reached
the black spot where the house had stood, he stopped, gazing at it, and
I thought trembled.
"It seems to me," said Natty, after remaining silent for a minute or
two, "that the zebra must have made his escape when the huts were on
fire, and the other animals were set free. Oh! I do--I do hope that
our friends escaped! I will not believe that they did not!"
I would not let Natty quit the zebra, but allowed him to sit down on a
stone, holding the rein, while I examined the ruins in the
neighbourhood. Though I searched carefully in every direction, not a
trace of any sort could I discover. Everything they had must have been
destroyed or carried off by them I trusted that the latter was the case.
"It is of no use, Natty," I said at last. "Here they are not, and we
must go in search of them."
"What do you think, Andrew?" said Natty. "Perhaps they have gone to
Kabomba, where the people know the captain and Timbo, and would, I am
sure, receive them kindly."
"I trust you are right, Natty," I said; "and we will set off there
immediately."
Without loss of time we descended the hill. I had spent so much time,
however, in examining the ruins, that we could get but a little distance
before it grew dark. I made our camp as usual, and had only finished a
hut sufficient to hold Natty before darkness overtook us. I made up a
good fire, also, and hoped by tethering the zebra close to the hut, that
no wild beast would injure him during the night. There was little fear
of my fire going out, for my anxiety concerning our friends kept me
awake. Over and over again I thought of all sorts of accidents which
might have happened. We had but little food remaining, and all but my
last charge of powder was expended. Still, my anxiety about our friends
prevented me thinking of our own condition.
We travelled on all next day, and I began to fear that we must have
passed the village. Just, however, as the sun was about to set, his
rays lighted up the tops of some huts in the distance. We made towards
them, though still doubtful whether they were those of Kabomba or not.
Perhaps the inhabitants had themselves attacked and destroyed our
friends. I had often heard of the treachery of the natives, and these
might be as bad as others.
"Still, we must hazard everything for the sake of ascertaining the
truth." I said to Natty.
"Oh yes, yes," he answered. "I do not fear them; and after all, Andrew,
they can but kill us; and if they have killed our friends, were it not
wrong, I should almost wish that they would kill us."
As we got nearer to the side of the village I had no longer any doubt
that it was the one Stanley had visited. That we might not take the
inhabitants by surprise, as I drew near I shouted out, and presently
several people appeared at the chief entrance. As soon as they saw us
they came running forward. Among them was an old man, whom, by his
appearance, I took to be the chief. He had no weapon, and as he drew
near, his countenance, which wore a friendly expression, reassured me.
I therefore hastened on, leading the zebra, to meet him. He took my
hands in his, and looking into my face, seemed to be inquiring whence we
came. Then he seized Natty's hands and stroked his face, and exhibited
every sign of regard. He cast, however, an astonished gaze at the
zebra, and was evidently greatly surprised at seeing the docility of the
animal.
"At all events, you see, they are friends," said Natty. "I do hope they
can give us some account of the rest."
We were quickly conducted inside the village. The chief led us to his
house. He then seemed to inquire what we would do with the little
zebra, and pointed to a small enclosure on one side. I begged that it
might be placed within it, and signified that I should be glad if it
could be supplied with grass. Immediately several people set out with
knives, I concluded for the purpose of cutting the grass. My
disappointment was great, however, at not seeing any of our friends, and
by all the signs I could think of I inquired of the chief what had
become of them. I could get no satisfactory reply to my questions, and
I could not help supposing that the chief had some reason for not
informing me. We were taken at once into his house, and in a short time
food was placed before us. How delicious the plantains and cassava
tasted, and some well-dressed venison. As soon as our hunger was
satisfied I again began to inquire by signs about our friends. A
stranger coming in might have supposed that I was performing some
pantomimic play for his especial amusement. He, however, seemed greatly
puzzled, and I concluded of course that I had not the right talent for
my purpose. At length a sign of intelligence came over his countenance,
and he now in return made a variety of gestures, which I must own were
considerably more clear than mine. He first pointed to the north, and
held up his fingers, counting the number of people of whom our party
consisted. He then got up and ran across the room, and next opened his
arms, and seemed to be receiving some phantom guests. He then lay down
on the ground and pretended to be asleep, and got up seven times; by
which I understood that they had come and remained at the village that
number of days. He next pointed southward, and seemed to be mourning,
as if regretting that they had taken their departure. I now told Natty
I was sure our friends had come to the village, and after stopping a few
days had proceeded to the south. The chief seemed to understand that
Natty was ill, and he and his wives did their best to arrange a
comfortable bed for him with mats placed over dried grass strewed on the
ground. I hoped that after a day's rest he would be able again to set
forward, as I wished to lose no time in following our friends. I spoke
of my intention to Natty.
"Can you think of doing so without first trying to find Leo?" he said.
"Perhaps our new friends here will assist us."
"If you were better able to undergo the fatigue I would," I said; "but I
wish first to place you in safety."
"Oh, do not think of that," he answered, "leave me here. The people
seem so friendly, that I am sure they will take care of me; and though I
wish very much indeed to go with you, I am sure I should only be an
impediment to your progress."
I immediately set to work to try and make the chief understand that two
of our party were in captivity somewhere in the east or south-east, and
that I wished to go in search of them. I was nearly sure that he
understood me, and with some hopes of setting off next day I lay down to
get a sounder sleep than I might possibly enjoy for many days to come.
The next morning, when I again entered on the subject, he appeared to be
unwilling to accede to my wishes. I was indeed not sorry to rest
another day and night, hoping that in the meantime something might occur
to assist my project. I remembered the account Stanley had given of the
idol like a crocodile which he had seen. Curiosity prompted me to
search for it as I walked about the village. The chief divined my
object, and, taking my arm, led me into a hut, where on the ground lay a
number of fragments of plaster, wicker-work, and hair. On these he
stamped, and then turned away with a contemptuous glance, touching his
ears and eyes, and then shaking his head, as much as to say that the
idol could neither hear nor see. From several other signs he made, I
came to the conclusion that Timbo had carried out his project, and at
all events succeeded in showing the blacks the falsity of their wretched
faith. I had hopes, too, that he had also planted the germs of a purer
one in their minds. It was on that and other accounts very vexatious
being so utterly unable to exchange ideas with them. One thing was
certain,--they were disposed to treat Natty and I with the greatest
kindness. At last, by perseverance, I made the chief understand what I
wanted, and he signified his readiness to assist me. I showed him also
that I wished him to take care of Natty while I was away. At this he
seemed highly pleased, and brought his son--a boy of about Natty's age--
to show that he would be his companion, and that he would take as good
care of him as he would of his own children. To show his still greater
readiness to assist me, he brought a number of articles which had
evidently been left by our friends, I could not make out whether as
gifts or not. He signified that we might ransom Leo with them if he was
detained as a prisoner. These, and sufficient provisions to last me for
several days, I placed on the back of the zebra. The load, though not
very heavy, was as much as I thought it could carry.
I was doubtful whether I should venture to go alone, or obtain some
attendants. If they proved faithful they would be of great use,
otherwise I would rather have trusted to my own energy and watchfulness.
The matter was settled by the chief bringing up three young men, whom
he signified were to accompany me. They were armed with shields, bows
and arrows, and spears; but these might alarm their countrymen, and I
knew I must depend for success only on pacific measures. It cost me a
good deal to part with Natty. He looked so sorrowful when I bid him
good-bye.
"But you will bring back Leo; I know you will," he said. "I cannot help
thinking he is not very far off."
Just as I was parting the chief brought me a prize, which, in my
circumstances, was of the greatest value. It was a powder-horn full of
fine powder. I could not help fancying it must have been left behind by
accident. It was certainly, however, not the one which Stanley had been
in the habit of using.
I think I have before said that the zebra would not allow any of the
blacks to come near him. I was therefore obliged to lead him myself,
they following at a little distance behind. He then went on readily
enough: but the moment they came near his heels, he flung out in a way
which made them always keep at a respectful distance.
I must give a very brief account of my journey. It required a good deal
of calculation to direct my course. I had first to consider the
position of the village where Natty and I had remained so long near the
lake. It was some distance to the south-east of this that I might hope
to find Leo, and yet at no very great distance, otherwise my former
hosts would not have refused to go beyond the stream, at which it will
be remembered we turned back. The journey might, I thought, occupy me
three or four days, if I could manage to steer a direct course for it.
The weather was now again fine, so we camped out at night, lighting the
usual watch-fires; and I lay down on the ground with the zebra tethered
near me. We saw two or three villages in the distance; but I understood
from my companions that they were sure no white men were there, or they
would have heard of it. At length, at the end of a four days' journey,
a village appeared directly before us, situated on some rising ground.
It was in the direction where, by my calculations, I thought it possible
the one would be found to which Leo had been carried. A number of goats
were feeding on the side of the hill, and below my eyes were gladdened
by the sight of some horned cattle, which, by their movements, were
evidently tame.
My companions now made signs to me that I might go on alone, as they did
not feel disposed to trust themselves within the village until they had
ascertained the disposition of the inhabitants. Leading the zebra, I
therefore walked on till I came in sight of a gate at the end of the
principal street, if I may so call it, it being always remembered that
the houses were only reed huts, and the gates were composed of rough
poles. As I neared it several people issued forth with javelins in
their hands, and, vociferating loudly, rushed towards me. My gun was
slung at my back, so I held up my hands to show that I had no intention
of attacking them. On this they somewhat slackened their pace, though
they still held their weapons in a threatening manner. I knew that my
best chance of safety was to advance boldly without showing any sign of
fear. This had the desired effect, and they now came on in a more
friendly manner. They showed signs of astonishment at seeing the zebra
in my company, and, I observed, paid me more respect from believing that
I had the power of taming an animal so generally untameable. We were
still at some little distance from the gates, when another person came
out. Seeing me, he rushed forward, and breaking through the people who
surrounded me, threw himself at my feet. Greatly to my delight I
recognised young Mango. Tears dropped from his eyes as he took my
hands.
"O massa, so glad! so glad!" he exclaimed, showing that he had not
forgotten his small knowledge of English.
"And Leo?" I asked, taking him by the hand; "where is he?"
"Gone! gone!" he answered.
My heart sank as I heard this.
"What! dead?" I exclaimed, the thought of the grief his death would
cause his sisters and Natty, indeed all of us, coming into my mind.