The three lads found themselves the sole occupants of a hut about seven
feet in diameter, and of a height scarcely sufficient to enable them to
stand upright, except in the centre. There was but one opening, through
which they had been compelled to creep, and this was closed by one of
their guards sitting down before it, with his knees drawn up to his
chin, the only light and air they enjoyed being admitted through the
small space above his shoulders.
"It isn't altogether pleasant to be shut up like rats in a trap," said
Denis, as he surveyed the hut; "but it might have been worse if a party
of Kaffirs had slept in it last night. As far as I can judge it hasn't
been occupied before."
"If it had, there would have been mats and bundles of grass," observed
Lionel; "whereas we shall have nothing but the bare ground to lie on."
"As the ground appears to be perfectly dry, we need not complain of
that," observed Percy, "I only hope that the chief will let us go in the
morning."
"There's very little chance of that," said Denis. "He intends that we
should be of some use to him, or he would not have sent his people to
capture us. I wonder whether he will send us some food."
"I can't say I feel very hungry," observed Percy. "It is fortunate that
we took a good dinner."
They waited and waited, expecting that Umbulazi would think of them, but
no food was brought. At last Denis spoke to their Kaffir guard, saying
that they were very hungry, and would be much obliged if he would obtain
some provisions; but no answer was returned to his request.
"I believe the fellow is asleep," said Lionel. "Yes! listen, I can hear
him snoring. I see his head nodding through the opening. If that's the
way he keeps guard, I think I can play him a trick; and the chances are
the rest of the fellows are asleep also. It is now nearly dark outside.
In a little time the whole camp will have lain down. We could easily
make a hole under the wall of the hut, large enough for me to creep
through, and once outside, if the guards don't catch me, I could find my
way to where the horses are feeding."
"A capital idea," said Denis. "I don't think there will be much
difficulty in carrying it out."
"But you would run a fearful risk of having an assegai sent through you
if you were discovered," exclaimed Percy. "For your own sake I had much
rather you did not make the attempt."
"I am not afraid of that," answered Lionel. "I'll take good care not to
be caught. I know the ways of the people, where they are likely to be
sleeping, and where their guards are posted. The chances are they will
be asleep in a short time, like that fellow who is acting as doorkeeper
to us. If I can manage to reach our camp, Hendricks will soon come and
set you free."
"But suppose you were to meet a lion or leopard, as you have no rifle,
how would you defend yourself?"
"I would keep out of his way, and shout and shriek at the top of my
voice, you may depend upon that," he answered.
Percy was at last induced, though not very willingly, to consent to
Lionel's making the attempt he proposed.
They all three sat down on the ground to talk over the matter, and
agreed that it would not be wise to commence operations until later on
in the night.
Fortunately Percy had a match-box, for the Zulus had not rifled their
pockets, and striking a light, he ascertained that it was about eleven
o'clock.
"We cannot have a better time," said Denis, "so we'll set to work
immediately; but I say, we must keep talking, lest that black guard of
ours should open his ears and suspect something."
They accordingly all three began talking as if holding some exciting
discussion, Denis every now and then giving way to a hearty laugh.
Percy tried to imitate him, but did not succeed very well, for he was
exceedingly anxious about Lionel's undertaking, which he thought more
dangerous than it really was. Having no tools except their knives, the
operation was a long one. They cut through the lower part of the twigs,
and had to scrape away the earth with their hands. Only two could work
at a time, and they took it by turns, the third sitting near the door to
hide his companions or give notice, should the guard awake and look in.
"We shall be through in another minute!" exclaimed Lionel. "Hurrah, it
is done now!" he cried out soon afterwards. "I can be through in a
moment. What is the old fellow at the door about?"
"He is still snoring away," answered Percy.
"Well, then, do you and Denis keep talking and laughing, and I'll slip
out."
"But do come back if you find any difficulty in making your way to the
horses," said Percy. "It would be far better that we should submit to
whatever the prince intends than that you should run the risk of being
killed."
"No fear," answered Lionel, as he shook hands with his companions.
"Depend upon it, I shall be safe with Hendricks before the morning.
Good-bye!" and he began to crawl through the opening. He stopped,
however, before he was quite through, and backing in said, "Remember to
close the hole, Denis, before the morning, so that, if possible, the
Zulus might not discover how I got out."
"I'll do my best," said Denis, and Lionel again crawled through the
opening. Not the slightest noise was made, so that the guards at the
entrance of the hut, even if they had not been asleep, would not have
heard him. Denis, as soon as he had gone, lay down with his head to the
opening to listen. No sound reached his ears. He then crept partly
through, but could see nothing. Not a person was stirring, not even a
dog barked. "Lionel will get clear, I hope," he said, as he drew back
into the hut. "He is a wonderfully sharp, clever little fellow. As he
lived so long among the Zulus, he knows all their ways. Even if he
meets any one, he will be able to pretend to be a young Zulu, provided
it is still dark, though of course his dress would betray him in
daylight. I almost wish that we had gone too," said Denis. "If he
succeed, so might we."
"Not so sure of that," observed Percy. "Three objects moving along the
ground would be more likely to be discovered than one; and if I were
addressed, I, at all events, could not pretend to be a Zulu boy,
whatever you might do. Still, it would have been satisfactory had we
all got free; but then, what would have become of poor Gozo? They would
have assegaid him in revenge. Depend upon it, we were wiser to remain.
Perhaps, after all, Lionel is hiding, and may find it necessary to come
back."
They waited anxiously, almost fearing to hear Lionel's voice. Time went
on, but he did not make his appearance. At last Denis thought that he
might venture to stop up the opening; so he began shovelling in the
earth and replacing the twigs; he knew, however, should any one examine
the outside, it must be discovered that a hole had been made; but it was
just possible that it might not be observed, and he amused himself by
thinking that if so how puzzled the Zulus would be to account for the
disappearance of Lionel.
"I'll pretend not to know what has become of him, and to be as much
astonished as they are," he said, laughing. "I'll suggest that he might
have vanished through the roof, or that he was not put in at all, or
that he has evaporated, although, to be sure, they won't know what that
means, and I don't know how I could well explain it, as the Kaffir
tongue has nothing equivalent to the term. However, I'll do my best to
mystify them."
"I would rather not make the attempt. I always hold that we ought to
tell the truth and stand the consequences," said Percy. "He had a
perfect right to run away, and he exercised that right. I would rather
you said what had happened, and that he had gone only for our sakes, to
let our friends know what has become of us."
"Well, we'll see how things turn out," said Denis. "Are you not
beginning to feel hungry?"
"Indeed I am, and sleepy too," answered Percy. "I would rather have
something to eat; but as we cannot get that, the best thing we can do is
to go to sleep. I'll try, although our couches are not of the most
luxurious description."
Percy lay down, as did Denis. They felt various creatures crawling over
them; but they knew that they must bear such annoyances patiently.
Their eyes in a short time closed, and they went fast asleep. They were
aroused at early dawn by the shouts and cries of hundreds of voices.
The Zulu gaoler no longer stopped up the doorway by his black body.
They concluded that he was not afraid they would attempt to escape
during daylight, as they would certainly be seen.
Denis therefore crawled out of the hut to look about him. The sun was
just rising over the hills to the eastward. The whole valley, at the
farther end of which they were, was filled with warriors formed into
regiments of four or five hundred men each. Some little distance off,
in front of his hut, stood the chief, Umbulazi, surrounded by his
counsellors and other wise men.
Suddenly all the men commenced performing the most extraordinary antics,
leaping, and whirling, and twisting, and turning, at the same time
uttering the loudest shrieks and cries at the top of their voices.
"What are they about?" asked Percy, who had crept out after Denis.
"They are simply dancing a war dance in honour of their chief. We shall
have an opportunity of witnessing their performance."
The chief and his attendants were so busily employed in watching the
troops, that they did not observe the young Englishmen standing outside
their prison.
Presently the leading regiment began to move forward, the men still
leaping, twisting, and turning, shaking their shields, quivering their
assegais, and shouting all the time until they approached to where the
chief stood, when halting for an instant they redoubled their efforts,
and then passed on (it cannot be said they marched) to give room for
another party who went through the same style of performance.
When the whole had passed in review, they dispersed in different
directions, some to bring in wood, and others to slaughter some oxen
which had been driven into the camp for the purpose.
So occupied had Umbulazi been with this extraordinary review of his
troops, that he had apparently forgotten all about his prisoners, who
meantime stood watching the proceedings, much interested with the
curious spectacle. Denis at length proposed that they should make off,
catch their horses, and gallop away. Percy was opposed to this, as it
was nearly certain they would be seen and followed.
"I'm afraid you are right," said Denis; "and there's another strong
argument in favour of staying--I'm so desperately hungry, that I don't
think I could ride far without food; and as these fellows will soon be
having breakfast, I conclude that they will have the grace to offer us
some. If they don't, I shall make bold to go and take it, for they
won't object, even though they may intend to assegai us directly
afterwards."
They waited until the review was over. Denis then advised Percy to go
back into the hut, while he set off on a foraging expedition.
"If we two were to go together, they would wonder what had become of
Lionel, but if I alone appear, they will suppose that you are both
inside the hut," he said. "The chances are, they don't put in their
heads to find out; for everybody is so busily employed that they won't
trouble themselves about us."
Percy agreed to the proposal, and creeping in, sat down to wait the
return of Denis.
"There's nothing like putting a bold face upon the matter," thought
Denis; and seeing Umbulazi standing in front of his hut, he walked
boldly up to him.
"_Unigane_!" he said, saluting him in the Kaffir fashion.
"_Saka bona_," answered the chief, equivalent to good morning. "What is
it you want, my friend?"
"My companions and I were made prisoners by your people, but I conclude
that you do not wish to starve us, and we want some breakfast," answered
Denis.
"You should have remained inside the hut where you were placed, and it
would have been brought to you," said the chief, apparently just
recollecting all about his captives. "How dare you come out?"
"To obtain some fresh air, and to see you review your magnificent army,"
answered Denis.
"And you think that my soldiers are fine fellows?" said the chief,
evidently well pleased. "They will be able to drive Cetchwayo and all
his followers out of the country, so that none will be left to oppose
me."
"I have not seen Cetchwayo's army, so that I cannot reply to that
remark," answered Denis. "What is in the future no man can tell."
"Ah! but I have engaged a famous enchantress who knows all things that
are going to happen. She is to come to me this morning, having spent
the night in looking into the future, and will tell me what is to be my
fate, whether I shall be defeated or gain the victory and become king of
the Zulus."
"If you become king of the country, you will wish to be friends with the
English, as Panda is. Now it strikes me, the best way to show your
friendly intentions is to treat well those who fall into your power. I
hope therefore, after we have had some breakfast, that you will restore
us our rifles and horses, and allow us to return to those who are
waiting for us."
"Go back to your hut, and wait until I send for you!" answered Umbulazi,
making a grimace from which Denis drew no favourable augury. He thought
it wise to obey.
"What news?" asked Percy, as he entered.
"One certain piece of news is that Lionel got off safe; but what the
chief intends doing with us is more than I can say. I hope he will send
us some breakfast; if not, we must forage for ourselves. The fellows
down there will soon have their meat cooked and their mealy cakes baked.
Before they have eaten them all up I will go down to one of the fires
and claim a portion."
They waited for some time.
"I can stand this no longer!" cried Denis at last, and he got up
intending to proceed to the nearest fire, when just as he crawled
through the opening a Kaffir woman appeared carrying a basket on her
head.
"The chief has sent you this," she said; "you are to eat it and be
thankful; but he bids me tell you that if you attempt to run away you
will be killed."
"We are much obliged to the chief," said Denis, as the girl placed the
basket on the ground. "Tell him that we wish to remain friends, and
that when he gives us permission we will bid him good-bye."
Denis, however, was too hungry to say more, and taking up the basket
entered the hut. It contained a gourd of whey, some mealy cakes and
cooked buffalo flesh.
"This isn't bad, after all," observed Denis as they fell to. "We have
got Lionel's share as well as our own; however, we may stow that away in
case we want it."
They had just finished their meal when their attention was attracted by
a loud hubbub outside.
Denis crept out to ascertain the cause of the noise. Percy followed
him, when they saw the whole Zulu army collected in two long lines,
extending to the farther end of the valley. In the distance appeared
one of the strangest figures imaginable. It was that, as the dress
betokened, of a woman. Slowly she advanced up the centre, between the
two lines of warriors, followed by a dozen men or more, carrying large
shields, against which they beat with their clubs, making a sound like
that of drums. As she drew near it was seen that she was bedecked in
the most curious fashion. Her nose was painted white, as was one of her
eyelids, while the other was dyed with red earth. Her long hair was
plastered together by a mixture of grease and clay blackened with
charcoal. Round her neck were suspended coils of the entrails of
animals stuffed with fat, while her hair was stuck over in all
directions with the gall bladders of animals. Several dried snakes, a
human skull, and the heads and claws of birds, hung suspended from her
shoulders, besides which she wore a necklace made of human finger bones,
and rings of the same description round her ankles, her only actual
garment being a short kilt hanging from her waist. In her left hand she
held a wand with long tails at its end, which she flourished vigorously
above her head as she advanced with prancing steps up the valley. In
her right she carried her magic rattle, which she shook violently, now
on one side, now on the other. The men drew aside to let her pass and
to avoid being struck either by her wand or rattle, evidently holding
her in great awe. On she came, however, disregarding their terror, and
showing no inclination to denounce any of them as evil-doers, the
service wizards and enchantresses are generally employed in rendering to
the governing powers. As she got near to Umbulazi, she increased the
rapidity of her movements, springing forward in the most wonderful
manner, now turning to one side, now to the other, and bounding high in
the air, while the charms she wore rattled and bumped against her body.
Umbulazi and the chiefs round him watched these proceedings with intense
eagerness, wondering what she would next do. Presently her eye fell on
Denis and Percy.
"I think we should be wise to get into our hut," exclaimed Percy. "I
don't like the look of that hideous creature."
Before, however, they could do so she was up to them, and flourishing
her magical wand she struck them both on the shoulders. Although the
blows did not hurt them, the effects were likely to prove disastrous.
In another instant she had bounded away, and was apparently about to
retire between the lines of soldiers. She had not gone far, however,
before Umbulazi shouted to her to return.
Almost directly she had delivered the blows, several of the Zulu
warriors, chiefs and others, rushed with threatening gestures towards
the two captives. Denis, who was well acquainted with the customs of
the Zulus, fully expected that a cruel death was instantly to be their
lot; but mustering all his courage, he put on as determined a look as he
could assume.
"We're in for it, Percy," he said, "so you must be prepared for the
worst; but I'll try what I can do with these abominable savages."
Then looking boldly at the surrounding chiefs he addressed them in an
undaunted tone.
"What are ye about to do, my friends?" he asked. "Because that strange
woman struck us, are we to be treated as if we had committed some crime
or were your sworn enemies?"
But no reply was deigned; all the expostulations he could offer were
without the slightest effect. He and Percy were dragged up to the hut
of the chief, before whom the woman was standing. He had just put the
important question for her to answer--whether if he went to war he
should obtain success over his enemies.
"Success will attend those who are the bravest and most numerous. See
yonder host spread out before you. Can you doubt, O Prince, that
victory will be yours?" she replied, in a loud chanting tone.
Umbulazi looked highly pleased at this answer.
"You hear what the wise woman says?" he exclaimed, turning to his
chiefs.
"We will fight, we will gain the victory," they shouted.
Denis and Percy were all this time watching the proceedings with the
greatest anxiety, wondering what would happen to them.
"What would you have me do with these white boys?" asked the chief.
"They have come as spies into your camp. They are the sons of those who
have often tried to dispossess you of your lands. Let them, before the
sun sets, be pierced through with assegais, and become as the dust of
the earth."
"What does she say?" asked Percy, observing the expression of Denis's
countenance.
"Something not very pleasant to us. She advises these fellows to kill
us. But she has made a mistake, and not for the first time in her life;
for she declares that we came into the camp to act as spies. Now the
prince and the rest of the chiefs know perfectly well that we were
brought in prisoners, and I should think they will have wit enough to
see that she knows nothing about the matter."
From the remarks made by the chiefs, and the fierce glances they cast at
him and Percy, Denis however felt anything but sure that they would do
so.
"I'm very thankful that Lionel escaped," said Percy. "He will tell
Hendricks where we are, and if we do not return, he will know what has
become of us. Still I can scarcely fancy that these fellows will really
put us to death."
"I don't think they would if they were left to themselves," said Denis;
"but that dreadful old woman has so wonderful an influence on their
superstitious minds, that she can induce them to do anything she likes.
Now I suspect that she is in the interest of the other party, and she
thinks that if these fellows can be induced to kill us, they will make
our countrymen their enemies."
"If they are to die, the sooner they are put to death the better,"
exclaimed Umbulazi. "We will then, my brave warriors, set forth, sure
of victory, to fight our foes."
Just at this juncture a large band of warriors was seen approaching the
camp, led by a chief, who could be distinguished as such by the plumes
in his head-dress, his cloak, and kilt of skins, and the ornaments on
his oblong shield. He hastened on with his followers towards where
Umbulazi was standing. As he drew near, Denis exclaimed--
"I am much mistaken if that young chief is not Mangaleesu, who was for
so long living near Maritzburg. He was always a great friend of
Lionel's and mine, and I'm sure he would not see us massacred without
trying to save us." Denis however waited until the fresh arrivals had
paid their respects in the usual fashion to the prince. He then shouted
out in English, "Mangaleesu, Mangaleesu! come and save us. These people
accuse us of being spies, and threaten to kill us, although the prince
himself knows we were brought into the camp against our wills, and that
our only object is to get back to Hendricks, with whom we are
travelling."
Mangaleesu, on hearing his name called, came up to them, and at once
addressing their captors, inquired what crime they had committed.
No one could at first answer him, but at last one of them observed that
the great enchantress declared that they had come into the camp as
spies.
"But you all know that they were brought into the camp, and I will
answer for it that they have no evil intentions against the prince or
any one else. If we were to kill them, we should make all the white men
in Natal our enemies," answered Mangaleesu.
His arguments appeared to be prevailing, when the savage old hag,
fearing that her influence would be lost, should her orders not be
obeyed, shouted out in a croaking voice--
"Kill them! kill them! If they are allowed to live, you cannot gain the
victory."
"If they are killed," cried Mangaleesu, "neither I nor my followers can
unite with those who allow so cruel an act. The English have always
been my friends, and I will not see them ill-treated, notwithstanding
what that old woman says. It was not long since that she was seen
paying a visit to Cetchwayo, and who can tell that she has not been sent
by him to betray us?"
The hag, who heard all that was said, began to move uneasily, and
gradually drew back from the crowd, until she joined the men who had
accompanied her into the camp. So deeply steeped in superstition were
the minds of the Zulus, that they could not divest themselves of the
idea that her predictions would be fulfilled, in spite of all Mangaleesu
had said. Denis and Percy were therefore kept strictly guarded in their
midst.
They could see the old witch at some distance gesticulating violently,
waving her arms about, occasionally leaping from side to side in the
most extraordinary fashion. Now and then she pointed to them in a way
which made them fear that she was still urging the chiefs to put them to
death. Mangaleesu was the only one who held out. Had he not arrived,
it seemed very probable that the savages would have plunged their
assegais in their bodies. Even now their lives hung in the balance.
For some time she was seen talking to several men, among whom were those
who had been their guards during the night. Presently she advanced, and
as she waved her wand, and pointed towards them, Denis heard her
exclaim--
"There were three of them! Where is the third? Without him the number
is incomplete."
The prince, who seemed to have forgotten this fact, on hearing her
speak, exclaimed--
"You are right, most sagacious prophetess. There were three. Bring him
forth, that he may suffer the doom of the others."
Instantly several of the young chiefs rushed to the hut, and were seen,
one after the other, crawling in.
"They'll be mighty puzzled when they find that he's not there," said
Denis. "I'm doubly thankful that he got off if we are to be killed, and
there seems a great chance of that."
"Do you think they'll have the barbarity to put us to death?" asked
Percy. "What object can they have in doing so?"
"Those fellows think no more of killing a man than we do of snuffing out
a candle. If Mangaleesu cannot persuade them to let us go, we'll have a
poor chance indeed of escape."
It seemed that Denis was right in his conjectures. The dreadful old
witch was evidently bent on their destruction. Still, while there's
life there's hope, and Percy did not give way to despair. They both
maintained as calm a manner as they could command.
Again Mangaleesu addressed the prince with a boldness which astonished
the other chiefs, who regarded the dreadful old impostor with the most
profound awe; but he was again out-talked, both by her and the other
chiefs. Presently the men who had gone into the hut to look for Lionel
returned with the astonishing announcement that he was not to be found,
declaring that they could not account for his disappearance.
"What has become of your companion?" asked Umbulazi.
"We were not set to watch him, and if he's not there, it's clear that
he's gone," answered Denis, adding in English, "and I hope you are much
the wiser for the information."
"How did he go?" asked the prince.
"If he walked, he went on two legs," answered Denis.
"But how did he get out of the hut?" inquired the Prince.
"The guards who had us in charge should answer that question," said
Denis, in the same tone as before.
"Where are the guards? Send them here!" cried Umbulazi, in an angry
tone.
Denis feared that the poor fellows would lose their lives, and unwilling
to have them put to death, he cried out--
"They are not to blame. He is but a small boy, so he crept out by a
hole, through which a large man could not have forced his way. He is
with our friends long ago, I hope, so you need not trouble yourselves
about him."
This answer, however, did not save the unfortunate guards, who soon
approached, looking very downcast.
"I gave three prisoners into your charge; here are two, but where is the
third?" asked the prince.
The three guards could not reply. At last one of them asked permission
to go and search the hut. The prince told them that they might do so,
but must come back and be killed, if they did not find the boy.
As may be supposed, they were a long time in making the search, and
although the Zulus are very indifferent to death, yet they were
naturally unwilling to go back and be killed. Denis earnestly hoped
that they would try and make their escape, for he justly feared that
should the prince once see blood flowing, like the savage tiger, he
would be even more ready than before to shed theirs.
At last the prince, growing impatient, ordered some men to go to the hut
and bring out the guards, either with or without the prisoner. The
unhappy wretches were quickly dragged forward.
"Where is the boy?" asked the prince.
No answer was given.
"Kill them!" he exclaimed; and in an instant some heavy clubs descended
on their heads, and each man lay in his blood, pierced by a dozen
assegais.
"It will be our turn next!" cried Denis. "Are you ready, Percy?"
"As much as I can be. How thankful I am that Lionel escaped!" As he
spoke, a dozen warriors with their assegais uplifted, still dripping
with the blood of their former victims, approached; but at that moment
there was a cry that some white men were coming, one of them waving a
flag.
"Hold!" exclaimed Umbulazi. "It will not be wise to kill the prisoners
just as their countrymen are coming. I would rather have them as
friends than enemies."
Denis, who heard him speak, felt his heart bound.
"I don't think we shall die just yet," he said to Percy, "for here come
Hendricks and Crawford and Umgolo, with a dozen armed men close behind
them."