"No, massa, not dead; but gone away," and he pointed south.
"What I did any one come to take him away, or did he go all alone?"
"Yes, massa, all alone," said Mango. "He run away. Dey catchy me, and
bring back."
This was indeed disappointing. Still, I hoped that he might reach some
place of safety, or that possibly I might find him. On making further
inquiries of Mango, I ascertained that he had started only two days
before. Then I thought, perhaps he has gone towards Kabomba; I may
actually have passed him on the road.
The inhabitants now conducted me into the village, accompanied by Mango,
and I was led before the chief. He was an enormously fat man, and was
seated on a pile of matting in a sort of verandah in front of his abode,
and supported by a number of women, whom I took to be his wives.
Determined not to be treated as a prisoner, I went up at once and shook
him by the hand, and told Mango to explain that I had come from a
distance to look for a young countryman, and that my people would be
very angry if any injury had happened to him. The chief was evidently
not addicted to making long speeches, indeed it was with difficulty he
brought out his words. Mango interpreted what he said. He declared
that he had no intention of injuring the white boy; that his people had
found him and his companion some time back, and that he had since fed
him and taken good care of him, and that of his own accord he had run
away.
"Yes," added Mango, "what he say true; but when we want go away, he no
let us, so Massa Leo run. He got rifle and powder, too, and dis make
old rogue here wish keepy."
I concluded from this that Leo's case had been very similar to ours, and
as my anxiety about him had somewhat decreased, I began to fear that the
fat chief would detain me in his place. I therefore assumed a still
more authoritative air, and declared that though my people were very
much obliged to the chief for taking care of our friends, they would be
very angry at his having detained them longer than they wished.
"Tell him I insist upon their letting you go immediately, and if they do
so, I am prepared to make them a present; but that if not, I shall fight
my way out of the place on the back of my wonderful steed there"--
pointing to the zebra--"and very likely return and burn their village to
the ground."
"Bery good," said Mango; and he began to interpret my address, adding, I
suspect, not a few threats and boastings of his own.
The effect, at all events, was to make the old chief and his attendants
treat me with great civility. His wives hurried off to prepare a
banquet, and I was allowed to proceed through the village with Mango as
my guide. I led the zebra all the time, for the little animal showed a
great disinclination to leave me, or to go nearer the blacks than he
could help; indeed, when any of them drew near, as was his usual custom,
he struck out with his heels right and left at them, or, if they
appeared in front, he ran forward and tried to bite them. He, however,
appeared to recognise Mango, and though he would not allow him to touch
his head, yet he showed no hostility when he came near.
By the time the banquet--which consisted of a variety of dishes of the
meat of several wild animals--was over, it was almost dark. I had no
doubt my attendants would camp out in the neighbourhood of the village,
and I therefore told the chief that I would take my departure,
accompanied by Mango, and camp with them, to be ready to start on the
following morning. I found, however, that he had no intention of
letting me go so easily, and insisted that I must pass the night in his
village. Seeing how matters stood, I said that I had no objection to do
this, but that I must have a house to myself, where my zebra would
obtain accommodation, as I could not be parted from the animal; and that
I wanted Mango also to attend on me. There is an old saying, "There is
nothing like asking for a thing one wants," and I found the advantage of
so doing; for my request, after the chief had consulted his wives, was
granted. This arrangement being made, I told Mango to inform the chief
that I required a supply of green grass for my animal. This also was
brought me before night. I asked Mango whether he thought the chief
intended to detain us. He did not think so; but expressed himself ready
to try and get out of the village during the night, if I thought it
advisable. I discovered, on further questioning him, that he and Leo
had heard of the appearance of some white people at the distance of
three or four days' journey off, towards the south-west, and though the
account was not very exact, from that moment Leo had determined to make
his escape. He arranged that if they could not get off together he
should go first, and leave marks to show his route. Mango was to
follow, or should he be prevented, Leo promised that he would return
with his friends to his rescue.
"But, massa," added Mango, "long way walky. Dey got cows, big horns,
for ridey. Me steal one for massa."
Perhaps I am making Mango speak even more clearly than he really did;
but he made me understand his meaning by the help of words and signs.
"No," I replied. "I shall be very glad to buy one of their animals,
though they must suppose it is for you to ride, and not for me, as they
now believe that I could not possibly require any other steed beside my
zebra."
While I remained in the hut, I sent Mango to the chief with an offer to
buy an ox, provided he would bring several to the village early in the
morning for me to choose from. Mango shortly returned to say that the
chief agreed to my proposal; indeed, the old man was probably, as most
Africans are, perfectly ready to do a stroke of business, particularly
as Mango had told him that I was willing to pay a good price for the
animal.