No one will suppose that Ned Garth was dead, more than did his loving
friends, although a long time had elapsed, and no tidings of him had
been received.
When ordered by Mr Rhymer to try and prevent the escape of the slaves,
he sprang forward without thinking of the risk he ran. He had succeeded
in getting in front of a large party of the fugitives, endeavouring by
all the significant gestures he could think of to induce them to turn
back to the shore, when he was felled to the ground by a blow from
behind. He retained sufficient consciousness, however, to be aware that
he had been picked up and was being dragged along rapidly in the midst
of a crowd of blacks. He could hear at first the shouts of his
shipmates, but they gradually became less and less distinct. He felt
that he was being carried forward further and further from the river,
sometimes completely lifted off his feet. He could not, fortunately for
himself, collect his scattered senses sufficiently to consider what
would probably be his fate. His first idea, when he recovered from the
blow, was the desire to try and escape, but he had neither the strength
nor opportunity to get away. When he opened his eyes he saw a number of
black faces scowling round him, and several well-dressed Arabs a little
distance off, while on every side were other negroes being driven in
like a flock of terrified sheep to a common centre. Presently a much
larger party of Arabs than those who had formed the crew of the dhow
made their appearance, and were welcomed with shouts of satisfaction.
The whole party now occupied themselves in binding the negroes, some
with ropes round their necks and others with forked sticks, a treatment
to which they appeared to submit without resistance. The blacks who
guarded Ned were apparently free men, or at all events attached to the
Arabs. They jabbered away and made signs, intimating that he was soon
to be put to death; he prepared himself therefore for what he had too
much reason to fear would be his fate. He knew that it would be useless
to ask for mercy. Had he been able to speak their tongue, he would have
told them that they would gain much more by delivering him up to his
friends; but, as his arms were kept tight, he could not even make signs
to that effect. He waited therefore, with as much calmness as he could
command, for what would next follow. Several of the slaves had in the
meantime attempted to escape, but were pursued by the Arabs and some of
the free blacks. The least active, or those who had last started, were
soon brought back; he heard, however, shots fired, and after a time the
pursuers returned dragging along those they had recovered, two of whom
were bleeding from gun-shot wounds in the shoulders. Whether any had
been killed he could not then learn, but he afterwards ascertained that
three had been shot as a warning to the rest. The slaves having at
length been secured, the party moved forward towards the west, keeping
the river in sight on their right hand. As evening approached, they
encamped at some distance from the bank. Fires were lighted, but no
food was cooked--for the best of all reasons, that the party were
destitute of provisions. Ned observed that armed sentries were placed
round the camp, but that was probably to prevent any of the slaves
escaping rather than on account of an expected attack.
He had some faint hope that Rhymer might have got back to the ship in
time to give information of what had happened, and that the boats might
be sent up to attempt his recapture. At length, overcome with fatigue,
he lay down between the two blacks who had him in charge, and in spite
of the disagreeable proximity of his guards, he was soon fast asleep;
his slumbers, however, were troubled, but he continued dozing on until
he was aroused by the Arabs summoning their followers to re-commence the
march. Water had been brought from the river, but they started without
food, and it was not till late in the day that, reaching a village, they
compelled the inhabitants to supply them by threatening to burn their
huts if they refused. Ultimately, crossing the river by a ford, they
proceeded for some distance towards the north.
Ned did not fail to be on the watch for an opportunity of escaping; he
thought that if he could hide himself away he might get down to the
coast, and have a chance of falling in with one of the boats. He was,
however, far too closely guarded, he discovered, for this to be
possible. He was still unable to conjecture for what object the Arabs
had carried him off. For three days they journeyed on, the whole party
suffering greatly from want of food, and sometimes from thirst, when
long stretches of barren ground were passed over without a drop of water
to be found. At last he discovered that they were directing their
course once more to the eastward, and in another day they came in sight
of the sea. There was a high cliff on the right hand, sheltering a deep
bay in which three dhows rode at anchor. On a signal being made the
dhows stood in towards the inner part of the bay, where a small creek
formed a harbour of sufficient size to contain them, so that they were
able to moor close to the shore. Several Arabs landed from each of
them. After the preliminary salaams had been gone through, business at
once commenced, which terminated apparently in a bargain being struck
for the purchase of the whole party of slaves, their price consisting of
bales of cloth, coils of wire, beads, and other articles, which were at
once landed; and this being done, the slaves were shipped on board the
dhows. Ned almost hoped that he might be sent with them, as he thought
that he might thus have a better opportunity of making his escape than
he could expect to find should he be detained by his captors. He was
greatly disappointed, therefore, on finding that he was still kept a
prisoner. He looked seaward with a longing gaze, thinking it possible
that either the ship or the boats might appear in search of the dhows;
but not seeing them, he guessed that the cunning Arabs had taken the
opportunity of shipping the slaves while they remained off the mouth of
the river. Several other Arabs had joined their party, which now
consisted of thirty well-armed men, besides nearly one hundred pagazis,
or carriers, hired from the neighbouring villages to convey the goods
into the interior. Among them was a finely-dressed individual wearing
on his head a large turban, and round his waist a rich scarf, into which
were stuck a dagger and a brace of silver-mounted pistols. He appeared
to take the lead, and Ned discovered that he was called
Mohammed-ibn-Nassib. He had not long joined the party when his eye fell
on Ned. Pointing towards him he inquired who the young stranger was.
The answer he received appeared to satisfy him, and he turned away
without making any further remark. The party being marshalled the march
began, the Arabs keeping a strict watch on the blacks carrying their
goods.
At nightfall they halted near the banks of a stream which evidently fell
into the main river. As Ned observed its course, the thought occurred
to him that if he could find a canoe, or for want of one a log of
timber, he might float down with the current and reach the boats, which
he felt sure would be sent to look for him. To do this, however, he
must first elude his guards, who were, he found to his satisfaction,
less watchful than at first, being apparently satisfied that he would
not attempt to escape.
It was terribly trying work to be alone, without any one to speak to who
understood a word he said. Several fires were lighted in the camp,
which served both for cooking provisions and scaring away the wild
beasts. Ned was allowed to sit near one, round which Mohammed and the
other Arabs collected. Hoping to throw them off their guard, he assumed
as unconcerned an air as possible, endeavouring to make them believe
that he was reconciled to his lot. He was still as much in the dark as
ever as to what they intended to do with him. Their purpose could
scarcely be to sell him as a slave, but possibly they thought that by
exhibiting him as a prisoner to the black chiefs they might gain the
credit of having defeated the English.
In a short time their evening meal was brought by the attendants, one of
whom, when they were served, placed a bowl of rice, seasoned with red
pepper and salt, before him. It was the food the slaves were fed upon.
Though aware of this, he was too hungry to refuse it, and trying to look
perfectly satisfied, he ate up the rice as if it was exactly the dish he
preferred, and then put out the bowl to ask for more.
Mohammed shook his head to signify that he must be content with the
share given him, while the rest seemed highly amused with his look of
disappointment. After some time they retired to sleep in some rude
huts, which their attendants had put up for them, when he was led away
by his two watchful guards. He was placed as usual between them, and
lay down, covering himself up with a piece of matting which one of the
Arabs more kindly disposed than the rest had given him. Drawing the
matting over his head, he pretended to go to sleep, but he kept his eye
at a hole, through which he could partially see what was taking place.
He waited for some time watching his guards until their loud snores
assured him that their slumbers were not feigned, and at length all
sounds having ceased in the camp, he cautiously lifted up his head to
ascertain whether any sentries had been placed near him, but he could
see none either on the one side or the other. The fires had burnt low.
"Some one will soon come to wake them up," he thought; "it will be
imprudent to move yet." He waited for some time longer, but the flames
got lower and lower, and at last the glare they had thrown on the
neighbouring trees faded away.
"Now or never is my time to escape," he said to himself. Creeping out
from under his mat, which he left raised up in the centre to appear as
if he was still beneath it, he crawled along for some distance on his
hands and knees. He stopped, however, every now and then to ascertain
if any sentry, who might have been lying down, had risen to his feet and
was likely to discover him. Thus advancing a few yards at a time, he
made his way towards the river. His intention was then to continue down
along it until he could find a canoe. He had nearly gained the water
when cries, shrieks, and loud shouts reached his ear, followed by the
sound of fire-arms. Several bullets came whistling close to his head;
to avoid them he sprang behind the trunk of a large tree. Scarcely had
he done so, when he heard close to him the crash of bushes, and a huge
animal bounded by carrying in its jaws what, seen through the gloom,
appeared to be the dead body of a man. He heard a faint cry as if from
a human voice, followed by the continued crash of the underwood as the
creature rushed along the very course he had intended to pursue. Hardly
had it disappeared than the cries and shouts, growing nearer and nearer,
showed him that a number of men from the camp were coming in pursuit of
the animal, and that he could scarcely avoid being discovered. Even if
this should happen, he had reason to be thankful that he had not
attempted to make his escape sooner, or he would in all probability have
met the lion and fallen a victim instead of the man who had been carried
off. He crouched down among the thick roots of the tree, hoping that
even now he might not be discovered; at the same time he felt that it
would be madness to attempt to pursue the course he had intended down
the river, as he should in all probability, if he did so, encounter the
lion which had carried off the man. He waited, his heart beating
quickly. The blacks came on, shouting at the top of their voices to
keep up their courage and to frighten the lion, but did not discover
him. He must now decide what to do, either to return to the camp and
wait for another opportunity or to continue his flight. Every day would
increase his distance from the coast and the difficulties he must
encounter to reach it. The thought occurred to him that he might cross
the river and go down on the opposite bank, though he did not fail to
remember that crocodiles or hippopotami might be lying concealed in its
bed, but he resolved to run the risk rather than again place himself in
the power of the Arabs. Not a moment was to be lost. He sprang from
his place of concealment and ran towards the bank. Scarcely had he
reached it than he heard the men coming back, shouting as before to each
other, for they had not ventured to follow the lion far, knowing that
their companion must by that time have been dead. He did not therefore
hesitate. Slipping into the water, he struck out across the stream. He
had got nearly half-way over, when he became aware that the shouts he
heard were directed at him. Not daring to look back, he swam on with
all his strength, hoping that no one would venture to follow him.
On and on he went. Thoughts of crocodiles and hippopotami would
intrude, but he trusted that the noise made by the blacks would drive
them away. No shots were fired at him. Why this was he could not
tell--perhaps he was no longer seen. Then the idea occurred that some
one might be pursuing him: still, undaunted, he continued his course.
Reeds flanked the opposite bank of the stream; should he be able to
force his way through them? If he could, they would afford him
concealment. He could distinguish them rising up like a wall before
him; he at last reached them, and began to struggle through the barrier.
It was hard work, for the water was still too deep to allow him to
wade, and the reeds bent down as he clutched them; still, as those he
first grasped yielded, he seized others, and hauled himself along. At
length his feet touched the bottom, and he was able to make somewhat
better progress. He had not time to consider what he should do when he
had gained the firm ground. There might be other lions in the way, but
he resolved not to be deterred by the fear of encountering them; he
dreaded far more falling into the hands of the Arabs. He expected every
moment to reach the shore, when one of his feet stuck fast in the mud.
He endeavoured to obtain a firmer foothold by pressing down the reeds so
that he might stand upon them, but this caused considerable delay, and
in his efforts he was nearly falling on his face into the water. At
length he succeeded in drawing out his foot, and once more he struggled
on. The noise made by the bending reeds had prevented him from hearing
a loud rustling at no great distance which now struck his ear. It might
be caused by one of the huge inhabitants of the river. Should an
hippopotamus have discovered him, he must seek for safety by climbing
the nearest tree he could reach. The idea incited him to fresh
exertions. He sprang forward, his hand touched the firm ground. He
drew himself up the bank, but was so exhausted by his efforts that he
had scarcely strength sufficient to run for a tree. As he stood for a
few moments endeavouring to recover himself, he fixed on one a short
distance off, a branch of which hung down sufficiently low to enable him
to swing himself up by it. He took one glance also behind him. The
darkness prevented him from seeing the figures of this Arabs on the
opposite side, but he could hear their voices still shouting loudly.
Having recovered his breath, he once more started off in the direction
of the tree. Should he there find that he was not pursued, as he
expected, he intended to continue his course along the bank of the
river. He reached the tree, and was on the point of grasping the bough
when he heard men shouting behind him, and, glancing over his shoulder,
he distinguished amid the gloom three dark figures coming on at full
speed. He hoped, however, that he might not have been seen, and that,
if he could once get into the tree, they might pass by. He made frantic
efforts to draw himself up, and had just succeeded when he felt his foot
seized by a human hand. He in vain endeavoured to free himself. The
gruff voice of a black shouted to him, and he recognised it as that of
one of his former guards. The man pulled away at his leg with such
force that he was compelled to let go his hold, and would have fallen
heavily to the ground had not his other pursuers, who came up, caught
him. Once more he found himself a prisoner. His captors, he judged by
the way they spoke, were abusing him, though he could not understand
what they said. Further resistance was useless, so he resigned himself
to his fate. What they were going to do with him he could not tell;
whether they would recross the river or remain on the side he had
reached. They led him down to the bank, from which a large amount of
shouting was exchanged. This finally ceased, and he found himself being
led up the stream, as he concluded, towards a ford, or to some spot
where a crossing might be more easily effected than at the place where
he had swum over. He was right in his conjectures, for after some time
torches appeared on the opposite side, and his captors, dragging him
along, plunged into the stream, and began to wade across, shouting and
shrieking at the top of their voices as they did so, and boating the
water with some long sticks to drive away the crocodiles. Several Arabs
and blacks with torches received the party as they landed, casting
scowling looks at poor Ned, who had abundance of abuse heaped upon him
for his futile attempt to escape. On being led back to the camp,
however, he was allowed to dry his wet clothes before the fire, which he
did by taking some of them off at a time.
It was a sore trial to him to be all alone without any human being to
whom he could speak. At last the blacks led him back to the very spot
from which he had escaped, and he was allowed to cover himself up again
with his mat. He saw, however, that one of the men was sitting by his
side to keep watch.
He was too much exhausted to think over his disappointment, or to fear
any evil consequences from remaining so long wet. He soon fell into a
deep slumber, from which he was aroused by one of the blacks shaking him
by the shoulder, while another brought a bowl of rice and a cup of
coffee.
On looking round he perceived that the caravan was preparing to march.
The pagazis had shouldered their loads, and the Arabs were girding
themselves for the journey. Knowing that he would have to accompany
them, he got up ready to obey the summons to move. He was surprised to
see Mohammed, the leader, approaching him. The Arab chief spoke a few
words, laughing heartily, slapped him on the shoulder in a familiar way,
and Ned concluded that he was complimenting him on the manner he had
attempted his escape. He then lifted his gun as if about to shoot, and
put it into his hands, making signs that he was to use it, and Ned
surmised that it was intended he should fight for the Arabs.
After this Mohammed seemed much more friendly than before, and invited
him frequently to march by his side. The river was crossed by the ford,
and the caravan proceeded westward.
Ned cast many a lingering look behind as he got further and further from
the stream by means of which he had hoped to rejoin his friends. He was
too strictly watched, however, to have the slightest chance of escaping.
The country near the coast had been almost depopulated, and very few
villages or habitations of any description were passed. As the caravan
advanced more people were met with, and several large villages were
seen, to the chiefs of some of which the Arabs paid a sort of tribute in
beads and wire, and occasionally cloth, for the sake of retaining their
friendship.
Shortly afterwards they were joined by another caravan, containing even
more men than their own, and together they formed a large party. He was
introduced formally to the new-comers, who seemed to look at him with
much interest and treat him with respect. Though allowed to wander in
the neighbourhood of the camp he found that one of the blacks was always
strictly watching him, and that even had he intended to escape he should
have no opportunity of so doing. He now observed that the Arabs marched
more cautiously than heretofore, that scouts were sent out and returned
frequently to report what was going on in front. At last one day the
caravan halted earlier than usual, and the pagazis were immediately set
to work to cut down young trees, with which stockades were formed round
the camp, and every man remained under arms. The Arab leaders, seated
on carpets outside their huts, held long consultations, which, though
Ned attended them, he was unable to understand a word that was said. He
guessed, however, from their gestures and the expression of their
countenances, that some were counselling peace and others war--that the
advice of the latter prevailed he judged from the excited tones of their
voices, while the chief's touched the hilts of their swords, or drew
them from their scabbards and flourished them in the air. The opinion
he came to from all he heard and saw was that some potentate or other,
through whose country they desired to pass, had prohibited their
progress, and that they had determined to force their onward way in
spite of his opposition. That many of the chiefs had for some time been
prepared for this Ned was convinced from the preparations they had made.
Leaving a garrison within the camp to guard their goods, the next
morning the little army commenced its march, each chief dressed in his
gayest attire, attended by a lad carrying his gun, drums beating,
colours flying, and musical instruments emitting strange sounds, while
the black followers of the Arabs chanted their various war songs in
discordant tones. Mohammed had sent for Ned, and by signs made him
understand that he was to be his armour-bearer, and to accompany him to
battle. Ned was very much inclined to decline the honour. He
questioned whether the Arabs had any right to insist on marching through
a country claimed by others. Whatever quarrel might exist it was no
concern of his. Then came the point, should he refuse, he would be
looked upon with contempt and treated as a slave, and would have less
chance of escaping; as to the danger, it did not enter into his
calculations. "The Arab insists on my accompanying him, and will make
me promise to fight, so fight I must," he thought. "I do not see how I
can help myself." He therefore nodded and patted the gun handed him,
showing that he knew well how to use it. The chiefs marched forward in
high spirits, congratulating each other beforehand on the victory they
expected to achieve. Ned kept by Mohammed's side, carrying the chief's
gun as well as his own, an honour he would gladly have dispensed with.
About noon the force halted to dine, and two hours afterwards they came
in sight, from the top of slightly elevated ground, of a stockaded
enclosure, the interior filled with huts on the side of a gentle slope.
The chiefs pointed towards it and addressed their followers, who replied
with loud shouts. Ned guessed that it was the place about to be
attacked. No other enemies had been seen, and the village did not
appear capable of holding out against so formidable a force. The Arabs,
expecting to gain an easy victory, advanced in loose order to the
attack. While one party rushed at the gate to break it open, the
remainder halting fired their muskets, but as the stockades were thick
no injury was inflicted on the garrison. Not a missile was shot in
return. Emboldened by this they were advancing close up to the
stockade, when suddenly a shower of bullets, accompanied by a flight of
arrows, came whistling about their heads. Several of the attacking
party fell dead, pierced through and through, two or three of the chief
Arabs being among them, while others were badly wounded.
Mohammed, taking his gun from Ned's hand and shouting his battle cry,
rushed forward, firing as he advanced. In the meantime the gate had
been opened. Many of the Arabs and a large number of their followers
sprang in. No resistance was offered. Others were about to follow when
the gate was shut, and directly afterwards the sharp rattle of musketry
was heard, mingled with the shouts of the Arabs and the shrieks and
cries of the negroes, but not a shot, was fired at those outside. Then
there came an ominous silence. Suddenly it was broken by renewed
firing, but this time the shots were directed towards the assailants,
who were still pressing on to the walls. In vain they attempted to
force the gate, numbers were falling; already half their number, with
those cut to pieces inside the village, were killed or wounded, and
Mohammed, calling his followers round him, retreated, leaving all the
dead and many of the worst wounded behind to the mercy of the victors.
They hurried on until they were beyond the range of the muskets of the
fort, when they halted, and Mohammed asked whether they would renew the
attack and revenge the loss of their friends or retreat.
The point was settled by the appearance of a band of black warriors
armed, some with shields and spears and others with muskets, issuing
from the gate.
The retreat was continued, and Mohammed had the greatest difficulty in
preventing it from becoming a disorganised flight. Bravely he faced
about, and setting the example to his men fired his musket at the
advancing foe; but the latter, halting when the Arabs stopped, kept out
of range, again advancing as soon as they moved on.
Ned remained with Mohammed, who shook his head mournfully as if
acknowledging his defeat. He had reason to look grave. The distance to
the camp was great, they were in an enemy's country, and there was more
than one defile to pass through, while the thick woods and tall grass on
either side might conceal large bodies of their foes. Again and again
the Arab called on his men to keep together, and not to be disheartened,
though he himself showed his apprehensions by the expression of his
countenance. For a couple of hours the retreating force had marched on,
the dark band of savages hovering in their rear, but not venturing near
enough to come to blows.
Mohammed continued to cast anxious glances on either hand, and retained
his musket instead of giving it back to Ned to carry for him. Ned
longed to be able to ask him what hope there was of getting back safe to
the camp, but when he made signs the chief only gave in return an
ominous shake of the head.
One of the denies they had to pass through was entered, Mohammed gazed
round even more anxiously than before, scanning every rock and bush
which might conceal a foe. While their pursuers were still in sight,
the narrowest part was gained. The chief had inspired Ned with his own
apprehensions, and every moment he expected to be assailed by a shower
of arrows and javelins. He breathed more freely when they once more
entered the open country. As they advanced they looked behind, hoping
that the negroes would not have ventured through the pass, but they were
still pursuing. The Arabs dared not halt to rest or take any
refreshment, for it was all-important to reach their camp before
nightfall. Once there, as it was well stored with provisions, they
might wait for reinforcements.
A thick wood, however, was before them and another rocky defile. As
they approached the wood, Mohammed again showed his anxiety. Several of
the men now gave in, the wounded especially suffered greatly, and one by
one they dropped, no attempt being made to carry them on. The wood,
however, was passed, and next the defile appeared. Their figures cast
long shadows on the ground, and the entrance to the gorge looked dark
and threatening. The fugitives were too much fatigued to climb the
heights to ascertain if any foes lurked among them. "On, on!" was the
cry, Mohammed and the other chiefs leading. Ned cast one look behind,
and saw that the negroes were pressing forward in their rear at a faster
pace than before; the move was ominous. The pass was entered. The men
went on at a sharp run, each eager to get through. Not a shout was
uttered, the tramp of many feet alone was heard, when suddenly the
comparative silence was broken by fierce shrieks and cries, and from all
sides came showers of arrows and javelins, while from the heights above
their heads rushed down a complete avalanche of rocks and stones. Ned
saw Mohammed pierced through by an arrow; all the other chiefs the next
instant shared the same fate. There was no hope of escaping by pushing
forward, as the path was barred by a band of shrieking savages, while on
every side lay the dead or dying, crushed by stones or pierced by arrows
and darts. In the rear he could distinguish the few survivors
endeavouring to cut their way out by the road they had come, fighting
desperately with the band of warriors who had pursued them, but they too
were quickly brought to the ground, and not half a dozen of his
companions remained standing. He was looking round to see whether any
overhanging rock or hollow would afford him shelter, when a stone struck
his head and he sank almost senseless to the ground. The next instant
the savages in front came rushing on, while others, descending from the
heights, leapt into the ravine. He gave himself up for lost. The
savages sprang forward, uttering cries more of terror than victory. No
one attempted to strike the fallen. Some climbed up the rocks, others
rushed at headlong speed through the ravine. The cause was evident,
they were being pursued. A rattling fire was opened upon them, the
bullets striking either the rocks or the ground close to where Ned lay,
he being partly protected, however, by the bodies of the Arab chiefs,
none hit him. The savages continued their flight until they joined the
party at the western end of the pass. Here they turned about,
encouraged by their friends, to meet the fresh body of Arabs. A fierce
fight now took place, and the Arabs had cause to repent their imprudence
in so hurriedly pushing forward. Several of their leaders fell, and
they in their turn retreated. Ned saw them coming, and at the same time
he observed that a number of the savages had again climbed the heights
and were preparing to assail them as they had Mohammed's party.
Fortunately for the Arabs, the Africans had expended most of their
missiles. Ned implored the first who passed in their retreat to lift
him up and to carry him with them, for he fully expected to be trampled
to death should he not be killed by the falling rocks or the arrows of
the savages. His cries were unheeded; already the greater number had
passed by, when he saw an Arab, evidently a chief, bringing up the rear,
and encouraging the men under him by continuing their fire to keep the
foe in check. Ned recognised him as the Arab whose life he had saved
from the sinking dhow.
"Sayd, Sayd!" he shouted, "don't you know me? Do help me out of this."
"Yes, yes, I will save you," answered the Arab. There was no time for
further words, and stooping down Sayd lifted Ned in his arms and, with
the aid of one of his followers, bore him on through the pass, while his
men, as before, kept their pursuers at bay.
The open country was at length gained. The savages, although they might
rightly claim the victory, having suffered severely, showed no
inclination to continue the pursuit.
Of the whole force, however, which had marched out in the morning with
Mohammed not a dozen remained alive, and most of those were badly
wounded. Ned was unable to speak to Sayd until the fortified camp was
gained. No sooner had they arrived than their ears were deafened by the
wailing cries of the women mourning for their husbands and relatives
slain, and it was some time before Ned could obtain the rest he so much
required after the injury he had received and the fatigues he had gone
through.