"But I have no goods with which to trade, and I would not deprive you of
your gains. My captain will, however, I am sure, repay any one for the
expenses of my journey."
"But you can do without goods; you have Mohammed's musket, and with it
you may shoot some elephants; besides which, it is just possible that we
may have to attack some villages if the inhabitants refuse to supply us
with tusks or provisions. It is very likely that some will do so, in
which case you will have a right to the booty we may obtain."
"I thought, friend Sayd, that you were going on a hunting and trading
expedition?"
"It is the Arabs' way of trading when the negroes are obstinate,"
answered Sayd, with a laugh.
Ned, on hearing this, became somewhat suspicious of the intentions of
the Arabs, but he feared he should be unable to help himself. He
resolved, however, that should an opportunity offer, to get back to the
coast at all risks.
The caravan to which Sayd belonged was far larger than that of Mohammed.
It was under the command of a magnificent fellow in appearance,
Habib-ibn-Abdullah, to whom his followers looked with reverential awe.
There were numerous other chiefs, each attended by fifty or more black
free men or slaves, some armed with muskets or swords, and the rest with
spears and knives, or bows and arrows. Sayd had about fifty of these
men under his orders, entrusted to him by his father and other relatives
at Zanzibar.
The caravan waited in the entrenched camp, expecting every hour to be
attacked; but the negro chiefs had gained information of the number of
the garrison, and thought it wiser not to make the attempt, intending
probably to way-lay the caravan on its march, and cut it off should an
opportunity occur.
Several days passed by; no enemy appearing, Abdullah, mustering his men,
ordered the march to begin. With drums beating, colours flying, and
trumpets sounding, they marched out in gallant array, the armed men
guarding the pagazis, who carried the bales of cloth, boxes of beads,
and coils of wire. Though they looked so formidable, Ned, after the
disgraceful defeat suffered by Mohammed, did not feel that confidence
which he might otherwise have experienced. To avoid the defiles which
had proved so disastrous to their friends, Abdullah took a course to the
northward, which, after being pursued for a couple of days, was changed
to the westward. Ned looked out anxiously in the hopes of meeting a
return caravan; still none appeared, and he was convinced that it would
be madness to attempt returning by himself without the means of even
paying for his food. Sayd was as kind and attentive as he could desire,
generally marching alongside him, when they managed to converse freely
together, the young Arab eking out his English by signs. A strict watch
was kept night and day for enemies, but none ventured to attack them.
Abdullah, however, consented to pay tribute to the various chiefs
through whose territory the caravan passed. It consisted of so many
yards of cloth, with a string or two of beads or several lengths of
wire. Although muskets, powder, and shot were in demand, the Arabs
refused to part with them, suspecting that the weapons might be turned
against themselves when any difficulty might arise. The country of the
more warlike tribes having been passed, the Arabs marched with less
caution than before, their hunters being sent out to kill game, which
appeared in great abundance--elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wild boars,
zebras, and deer of various species, besides guinea-fowl, pelicans, and
numerous other birds.
Ned had a great inclination to join these hunting parties, but Sayd
persuaded him to remain in camp, indeed, on most occasions, he felt too
much fatigued to take any unnecessary exercise.
An ample supply of meat put the caravan in good spirits, and they
marched on, shouting and singing, feeling themselves capable of
conquering the world.
"We have now a country before us very different to any we have yet
traversed," observed Sayd. "The slaves will not sing quite so loudly."
They had just arrived at a small stream. Here Abdullah issued the order
that every man should fill his water-bottle.
"We will carry a gourd apiece in addition, it will be well worth while
bearing the extra weight, for before many days are over we shall esteem
a few drops of water of as great value as so many pieces of gold,"
observed Sayd. "See how leaden the sky looks yonder, and how the air
seems to dance over the surface of the earth."
Some of the chiefs desired to camp where they were, but Abdullah was
eager to push on, as they had marched but two hours that morning. A
water-hole, he said, would be found before nightfall, or the people
might dig and the precious fluid would be discovered beneath the earth.
After a short halt, therefore, they recommenced their march. The
chiefs, who did not carry even their own muskets, found it easy enough,
but the pagazis groaned under their heavy loads as they tramped over the
baked ground. Scarcely a tree was to be seen, and such shrubs and
plants only as require little water. The sun sinking towards the
horizon appeared like a ball of fire, setting the whole western sky
ablaze. Not a breath of air fanned the cheeks of the weary men. Ned
did not complain, but he felt dreadfully tired, and had to apply so
frequently to his gourd that it was nearly empty.
"We have not yet got half-way over the desert," observed Sayd. "I
advise you, my friend, to husband that precious liquid."
"But Abdullah believes that there is a water-hole before us."
"His belief will not bring it there!" answered Sayd. "It may by this
time be dried up, and we may have many a long mile to march before we
reach another."
A few minutes after this a line of trees appeared ahead. The blacks
raised a shout of joy, supposing that beneath their shade the looked-for
water would be discovered. Worn out as many of them were, they hastened
their steps until even the carriers broke into a run, and the whole mass
rushed eagerly down the bank, but as they reached the bottom a cry of
bitter disappointment escaped them; not a drop of liquid was to be seen,
only a smooth mass of black mud, with cracks across in all directions,
showing that the water had evaporated.
Water must be had at every cost, or the whole party might perish. Their
numbers, their arms, their courage would not avail them. Those who had
before traversed the country immediately set to work with pointed sticks
to dig along the bed of what was once a stream, in the hopes of
obtaining water, and many dug holes of five and six feet deep, but no
water appeared.
"Then, men, you must dig deeper," shouted the chiefs as they went about
among their people.
A little thick liquid bubbled up, the labourers shouted with joy, and
several of the more thirsty rushed in, and kneeling down lapped it up,
although it was of the consistency of mud.
The men again set to work, and at length a sufficient quantity of water
came bubbling up to enable their companions to obtain a few mouthfuls.
The camp fires were then lit, and the men gathered close round them, for
it was a locality where a prowling lion was very likely to pay them a
visit.
Sayd and Ned had a sufficient amount of water to prevent them suffering.
As Ned looked out over the dark plain, he could see objects flitting
by. Sayd thought that they were deer, which, fleet of foot, were
passing across the desert to some more fertile region. Several times
the roars of lions were heard, but none ventured near the camp, being
scared by the bright blaze kept up.
At an early hour all were again on foot, and eagerly descended into the
holes, which now contained rather more water than on the previous
evening, but still barely sufficient to quench their thirst. There was
none to fill their water-bottles. The Arabs, kneeling on their carpets,
joined by the Mohammedans among their followers, offered up their
prayers to Allah as the first gleam of the sun rose above the horizon;
then the morning meal being hastily taken, the pagazis shouldered their
loads and the march commenced.
As Sayd had predicted, no songs, no shouts were heard; even the merriest
among the blacks were silent. Scarcely a word was uttered as the
caravan moved forward, the dull sound of human feet treading the baked
earth alone broke the silence. On and on they trudged; the sun, as he
rose, got hotter and hotter, striking down with intense force on their
heads. Ned marched alongside Sayd. The latter had two favoured
followers--young Hassan, partly of Arab birth, who acted as his
gun-bearer; and a huge negro, a freed man, Sambroko by name, possessed
of prodigious strength and courage. These two had followed their
master's example, and supplied themselves with gourds of water, two of
which the negro carried slung round his neck.
For some hours the caravan proceeded as rapidly as at first. It was
hoped that a stream would be found soon after noon, where Abdullah
promised to halt to give the men the rest they so much needed; but noon
was passed, already the sun was in their eyes, and no stream was seen.
To halt now would be to lose precious time. With parched lips and
starting eyeballs the men pushed on, and, instead of songs and jokes,
cries and groans were heard on every side. Now a weary pagazi sank
down, declaring that he could carry his load no longer; now another and
another followed his example. In vain the Arab leaders urged them to
rise with threats and curses, using the points of their spears. The
hapless men staggered on, then dropping their loads attempted to fly.
Two were shot dead as a warning to the rest, and their masters
distributed their loads among the others who appeared better able to
carry them, but, ere long, others sinking down, stretched themselves on
the ground and were left to die in the desert. Time would have been
lost in attempting to carry them.
"Is this the way you Arabs treat your followers?" asked Ned, who felt
indignant at the apparent cruelty of the chiefs.
"They are but slaves," answered Sayd in a careless tone. "Necessity has
no law; let us go forward, or their fate may be ours."
"Onwards, onwards!" was the cry. The chiefs shouted to their people to
keep together, for already many were straggling behind. They had
started, feeling confident that by their numbers all difficulties would
be overcome, but had they mustered ten thousand men the same fate by
which they were now threatened might have overtaken them. Even young
Hassan, generally so joyous and dauntless, began to complain; but
Sambroko took him by the arm and helped him along, every now and then
applying his water-bottle to his lips.
Among the pagazis Ned had observed a young man of pleasing countenance,
who had always been amongst the merriest of the merry, though his load
was heavier than that of many. He had never complained, but was now
staggering along endeavouring to keep up with the rest. Ned, seeing how
much he was suffering, offered him a draught from his own water-bottle.
"Stop!" cried Sayd. "You will want it for yourself."
"I cannot disappoint him," answered Ned, as he poured the water down the
lad's throat.
The young pagazi's countenance brightened, and he uttered an expression
of gratitude as he again attempted to follow his companions.
"I should like to carry some of his load," said Ned. "He is younger
than the rest, and it is too much for him. Here! let me help you
along," he added, making signs of his intention.
"You will bring contempt on yourself if you do that," observed Sayd.
"No Arab would demean himself by carrying a load."
"An Englishman thinks nothing derogatory when necessary," answered Ned,
taking the package off the shoulders of the youth, who, while he
expressed his gratitude, seemed much astonished at the offer being made.
Ned trudged on with it manfully for some minutes, but soon began to feel
the weight oppressive. Sambroko observed him, and, taking hold of the
load, swung it on his own back and carried it a considerable distance.
Then calling to the young pagazi bade him carry it forward.
Ned begged Sayd to thank Sambroko, who answered, that though he could no
longer bear to see his master's friend thus fatigue himself, the young
pagazi must expect no further help from him.
"But I must try and help him, for I could not bear to see the poor
fellow sink down and die as so many are doing."
"There is nothing strange in that," remarked Sambroko. "I once crossed
a desert larger than this, and one half our number were left behind; but
we got through and returned during the wet season with large cargoes of
ivory, and our masters, for I was then a slave, were well content."
Sayd translated to Ned what was said.
"I wonder the Arabs venture into a country where so many lose their
lives," said Ned.
"The profits are great," answered Sayd. "Men will dare and do anything
for gain; each hopes to be more fortunate than his predecessor."
The young slave, greatly rested and refreshed by the water, and even
more by the sympathy shown him, marched forward with an almost elastic
step.
"O young master!" he said, looking at Ned, "my heart feels light. I
thought no one cared for poor Chando; but I now know that there are kind
men in the world."
Sayd explained the meaning of the black's words.
"Chando!" repeated Ned. "I have heard that name before. Inquire where
he comes from, and how long he has been a slave."
Sayd put the questions.
"From the village of Kamwawi in Warua," answered the young pagazi
without hesitation. "It is far, far away from here. It is so long ago
since I was taken that I could not find my way back; but were I once
there, I should know it again. The hills around it, the beautiful lake,
into which falls many a sparkling stream, rushing down amid rocks and
tall trees. Would that we were there now instead of toiling over this
arid desert. How delightful it would be to plunge into some cool and
sheltered pool where no crocodile or hippopotamus could reach us. What
draughts of water we would drink," and the black opened his mouth as if
to pour some of the longed-for fluid down it.
Sayd imitated the movement of his lips as he translated what was said.
"Chando! Chando!" repeated Ned. "Ask him if he had a father or mother
living when he was carried off to become a slave."
"I had a mother, but whether or not she escaped from the slaves I cannot
say. I never saw her again. I once had a father, whom I remember well;
he used to carry me in his arms, and give me wild grapes and sweet
fruit. He was either killed by a lion or an elephant, or was captured
by the slave hunters, who, it was said, had been prowling about in the
neighbourhood at that time, though they did not venture to attack our
village, which was too strong for them."
Ned became very much interested in the account Chando gave of himself.
"Inquire whether he can recollect the name of his father."
Sayd put the question.
"Yes, I remember it perfectly well. It was Baraka."
Ned gave a shout of joy, and forgetting his danger and fatigue, and all
that was still before him, he rushed forward, and, grasping Chando's
hand, exclaimed--
"I know your father; I promised him that I would search for you, and now
I have found you. There can be no mistake about it. He told me that
his son's name was Chando, and you say your father's name was Baraka,
that he disappeared, and has never since come back. I would far rather
have found you than made my escape, or returned to the coast the
possessor of hundreds of elephants' tusks."
Sayd's exclamations of surprise somewhat interrupted Ned's remarks as he
translated them to Chando. The latter almost let his load drop in his
agitation as he asked, "Is Baraka--is my father still alive? O my young
master, can you take me to him? Can you find my mother, that we may be
together and be once more happy as we were before he was carried away to
become a slave?"
"The very thing I wish to do," answered Ned. "I will try to get your
master to give you your freedom at once; or, if he will not now do so,
as soon as we return to the coast."
So deeply interested were Ned and his companions in the discovery he had
made, that they forgot for a time their fatigue and their thirst. Even
Sambroko and young Hassan listened eagerly.
"I know where Kamwawi is!" exclaimed the huge black. "It is to the
north-west, but it would take many days to reach. It is a fine country,
and the people are brave and warlike; though the slave hunters sometimes
go there to trap the natives, they seldom venture to attack the
villages."
"It is true, it is true!" answered Chando. "I was captured whilst out
hunting elephants with some other lads. They all died--I alone lived;
and after being sold several times became the slave of Abdullah. It was
better than being sent away on board a dhow to be carried to some far
off land, where I might have been ill-treated by strangers, and have no
chance of meeting with any of my own people."
"We must try to reach Kamwawi, and endeavour to ascertain whether
Chando's mother is still alive. I promised her husband to bring her
back as well as her son if I could find them. It would be a glorious
thing to rescue both," exclaimed Ned.
"To do that would be impossible," answered Sayd. "Abdullah will not
lead the caravan so far away for such an object. Even should we reach
the village you speak of, we should be looked upon as enemies, besides
which, the woman is by this time dead, or is married to another husband,
and she would not wish to quit her home to go to a distant country for
the mere chance of finding her husband alive. You must give up the
idea, my friend; the undertaking, I repeat, is impossible."
Ned made no reply, there was too much truth, he feared, in Sayd's
remarks. For some time he tramped on, thinking over the matter. At
last he again turned to the Arab--
"Sayd," he exclaimed, "I want you to do me a favour--to obtain Chando's
liberty. If you have to purchase his freedom, as I suppose you must, I
will promise, when we return to the coast, to repay you the cost,
whatever it may be."
Sayd smiled at the request.
"Abdullah is not the man willingly to dispose of a healthy slave, who
will be able to carry a whole tusk on his shoulders back to the coast,"
he answered. "Perhaps when the journey is over he may be ready to talk
over the matter, but he will demand a high price, of that you may be
certain."
"I will pay him any price he may ask. I am sure I shall find friends
ready to help me to advance the money until I can send it to them from
England."
This answer showed that, although Ned was tramping over the desert in
the interior of Africa without a penny in his pocket, or any equivalent
in his possession, he had not lost his spirits, and was as sanguine as
ever as to getting home some day. As he looked round, however, at the
haggard countenances of the Arab leaders and their armed followers, as
well as at those of the pagazis, he might with good reason have dreaded
that none of them would ever reach the fertile region said to lie beyond
the desert. Already many more had fallen, and their track was strewn
with the bodies of dead or dying men.
The survivors staggered on, well knowing that to stop was certain
destruction. The Arabs no longer attempted to drive them forward, or to
distribute the loads of those who sank down among the rest. They
themselves were too eager to reach a stream where they might quench
their thirst and rest their weary limbs. They would then send back to
recover the loads, and pick up any of the men who might still be alive.
But hour after hour went by, and the hot sun glared in their faces like
the flame from a furnace, almost blinding their eyes. Darkness came on,
but still they pushed forward. The same cry resounded from all parts of
the caravan: "They must march through the night." Should they halt, how
many would be alive in the morning? Ned had told Chando to keep close
to his side, and had supplied him every now and then with a few drops of
water. Had others seen this, Ned would have run the risk of having his
bottle taken from him. He would, indeed, have been glad to share the
water with his companions, but he knew that, divided among many, it
would avail them nothing. Not a word was now exchanged among any of
Sayd's party, but they kept compactly together. At length Ned caught
sight of some objects rising up ahead. They were tall trees with
spreading branches. They would not grow thus unless with nourishment
from below.
The Arabs and their followers raised a shout, and pressed forward.
Every instant they expected to come upon a stream. Several of the trees
were passed, and none was seen. At length they reached a bank below
which the stars were reflected as in a mirror.
"Water! water!" was the cry, and Arabs and soldiers and slaves dashing
forward, their strength suddenly revived, plunged their faces into the
pool, regardless of the danger they ran. Some, more prudent, drank the
water from their hands, or from cups they carried, but several,
exhausted, fell with their heads below the surface. Some of these were
rescued by their comrades, but many were drowned before they could be
drawn out. The leaders now issued the order to encamp, and the pagazis,
piling their loads, were compelled to search for wood.
On the different bands being mustered by their respective chiefs, nearly
half were found missing. Ned set out to search for Chando, and brought
him to Sayd's fire to hear more of his adventures, but, though generally
talkative, he was scarcely able to utter a word. Directly the scanty
meal had been consumed, the weary blacks as well as their masters were
asleep. A few hours only were allowed them to rest, when, their
strength being somewhat recovered, a large party with water-bottles were
sent along the way they had come to the relief of any who might have
survived, and to bring in their loads. A few lives were thus saved, and
much of the property dropped was recovered.
Sayd had lost several of his men, but he took the matter very coolly,
observing "that it was the will of Allah, and could not be avoided."
Heavy as the loss of life had been, the Arabs were still sufficiently
numerous to march forward to the rich country where they expected to
obtain all their hearts desired. A halt, however, of several days was
absolutely necessary to recruit their strength. As Sayd was less
fatigued than any of the other chiefs, he undertook to go out hunting in
order to obtain food, which was greatly required. Ned offered to
accompany him. He took Sambroko, Hassan, and three more of his own
followers, and having permission to select any experienced hunters from
among the rest of the men, recollecting what Chando had said, he fixed
among others on him. All were well-armed with muskets, or bows and
arrows and spears, and with darts or long knives. Chando, being the
most experienced elephant hunter, was sent ahead to look out for game.
The nature of the forest caused the party to become somewhat separated.
Ned kept as close as he could to Sayd. Some time had elapsed, when Ned
heard a loud trumpeting coming from the forest in front of them.
"That's an elephant," shouted Sayd, who was some distance off. "Move
carefully forward, and when the creature appears fire steadily, and then
spring on one side, but beware lest he sees you, or he may make a rush
at you."
Ned resolved to follow this advice. Again they advanced. Ned saw Sayd
enter an open glade. He had got but a few yards along it, when a
crashing sound from the opposite side was heard, followed by a loud
trumpeting. With trunk erect and open mouth a huge elephant dashed out
of the cover, catching sight as he came into the open of the Arab. Ned
had his gun ready, and, as the animal drew near, steadying his weapon
against the trunk of a tree, he fired. The bullet struck the creature,
but still it advanced, trumpeting loudly, its rage increased, with its
keen eyes fixed on Sayd. The Arab saw it coming, and knowing that, if
its progress was not stopped, his destruction was certain, fired at its
head, and then, his courage giving way, turned round to fly. Ned gave
up his friend for lost. The huge brute would break through all
impediments to reach his victim. Just then Ned saw a black form
emerging from the wood and springing over the ground at a rate
surpassing that of the elephant, against whose thick frontal bone Sayd's
bullet had been ineffective. With trunk uplifted the animal had got
within ten paces of the Arab, when the black overtook it, a sharp sword
in his hand; the weapon flashed for an instant, and descended on the
elephant's left hinder leg; then springing on one side the black
inflicted another tremendous gash on the right. The monster staggered
on, and was about to seize the Arab with its trunk, when, uttering a
shriek of pain and baffled rage, down it came with a crash to the earth.
Sayd, stopping in his flight, turned and saw that his deliverer was the
pagazi Chando, while Ned at the same moment springing forward
congratulated him on his escape. Chando, without speaking, plunged his
sword in the neck of the elephant. The rest of the party on hearing the
firing made their way up to the spot, and complimented Chando on his
achievement.
"I am grateful, and must see how I can reward you," said Sayd to the
young pagazi.
As meat was much wanted at the camp, the party immediately commenced
cutting up the elephant, while messengers were despatched to summon
carriers to convey the flesh and tusks. As soon as it was sent off the
hunters continued the chase. Ned shot a zebra, which raised him in the
estimation of his companions. A giraffe was also seen, and creeping up
to it among the long grass the party surrounded it. Before it could
escape a bullet from Sayd's gun wounded it in the shoulder, when spears
and javelins thrust at it from every side soon ended its life. There
was great rejoicing when this meat was brought into camp, and the Arabs
and their followers feasting luxuriously forgot their toils and
sufferings.