Chapter Eighteen.
I Prepare to Escape—I Leave the Kraal, but Quickly Return—The Enemy—The Kraal in Flames.
Lying there on my sleeping-mat I contemplated my hazardous position with feelings better imagined than described. My flesh crept as I recalled the horrible torture I had seen practiced on the wretched wizard, and felt how in a few days, if fortune did not favour me, I too might undergo the same.
I tried to draw consolation from the fact, that Metilulu—for a great wonder—had shown much repugnance in accepting the rain-maker’s statement, and had declared he would reserve his decision, respecting the white man’s removal, till the morrow; but I could abstract but little comfort from this, feeling assured that if the drought continued the land would be brought into such a terrible state of famine, that, if not from his own will, Metilulu, to save himself from the fury of the people, would be compelled to give, me over into the merciless grasp of the enraged prophet. No; there was only one way left to me. I felt my life was no longer safe there—if reprieved by Metilulu’s friendship until the next day, it was but deferring my ultimate fate; therefore I resolved, if possible, to escape that very night, and take to the bush, being more willing to trust to its perils than those I knew I ran with the witch-doctors.
Having come to this resolve, I thought the best way to avoid creating any suspicions of my intent was to go about as usual; so, rising, I repaired to my cows to see if they required any care, then went to my small patch of tobacco land, where, collecting many leaves, and rolling them fit for use, I wrapped each separate parcel in reeds, according to the custom of the Kaffirs, who place them in their huts, where they can be seen by all, for the possession of a large store of tobacco is a great pride to the natives, as they reckon their superiority over their fellows by it.
As may be easily conceived, I did not do it for this purpose, but prepared them in these small portions so that I could easily carry them about my person in my intended flight; for I perfectly well knew the value of the plant in the bush, not only as a comfort to its possessor, but because it is equivalent to the use of money in England when you require services rendered, for a Kaffir will do anything to possess some of the much-prized weed.
Frequently, while so engaged, I cast anxious glances to windward to note if there was the least sign of rain clouds appearing, but from north to south, from east to west all continued to be one clear, blue, unbroken expanse. Once, noticing a slight mist on the horizon, I wetted the palm of my hand and held it up in that direction, when I fancied I could detect the faint touch of a cooler breeze. If so, there might really be rain before morning, but certainly not earlier; therefore, it made no change in my resolve to be off that night, if possible.
Having done all I could to my patch of land, which I mentally hoped never to see again, I took my packets of tobacco and turned homewards. The men having little to do, and no heart to do that, were mostly seated about the kraal, smoking or talking respecting the drought and the deaths of their cows. As well as I could, without making it perceptible, I avoided these groups, for the fear displayed on my approach—some retreating altogether, while all regarded me with a strange look of covert suspicion—was now fully explained, the truth being that they each regarded me as the wilful cause of their present dire suffering.
I wisely took no heed of their manner, pretending not to perceive it, though in truth it made me most uncomfortable, for I fancied it likely these men, urged to frenzy by reflecting on the approaching famine, might rise up at any moment, surround my hut, demand me of Metilulu, make me a prisoner, and torture me to their hearts’ content—a deed for which they would afterwards rejoice, and no doubt receive the praises of the Prophets and Metilulu himself, for, as far as I could judge, even as I had returned to the kraal, the wind had slightly shifted, and rain might not be two days off, when its subsequent arrival would of course be attributed to my death. No pleasant reflection; and I could have regarded the men about me with the same horror as did the poor mis-called wizard when the witch-doctor, after his farcical snuffing the air, suddenly, as if he had smelt him out, dropped upon the wretched victim; but, conquering any outward sign of uneasiness, I exchanged a few casual remarks with those I met, taking no note at their not always being returned.
On reaching my hut I found Zenuta still there, so, as I wished to be alone to make some little preparation for the night, I sent her out on an errand; then, placing the wicker-door before the entrance, that the interior could not be easily seen, I took two hard stones which I had brought in with me, and cautiously began rubbing up the heads of the few assagais I had managed to retain to as sharp a point as I could make them.
The work took me some little time, and had the effect of engaging my thoughts and preventing me dwelling too much upon my perilous position. I then selected the best skins I possessed, placing them ready to put on, with my kaross, which I intended to make serve for a sleeping-mat, as I should, no doubt, have to camp out for many nights in the bush; afterwards putting the rolls of tobacco in a piece of hide, I stowed it away with the rest, to be ready to hand when I started.
I had scarcely ended, and the hour was, as far as I could judge, about six o’clock European time, when a shadow fell over the doorway, and the next moment a “boy,” slim and handsome in figure, as Kaffirs all are in youth, crept in on hands and knees. I recognised him as one of those who attended on Metilulu, and my heart fell, fearing that the chief had changed his mind, and determined to surrender me to the rain-doctor even then; for when he had honoured me with any message before, it had usually come through Tugela. But the messenger’s first words allayed my fears at once on this point.
After the ordinary every-day salutations, the “boy” stated that Metilulu had sent to say he desired me not to take my cows out the next day, but entrust them to another, for he wished me to wait upon him, as he had something of much importance to communicate.
I answered directly that the noble Metilulu had ever shown me—a stranger—so much kindness, that his will was as law to me, even as to his own people; therefore I should certainly not take my cows out the next day, but would attend upon him as he desired. “I should like also,” I added, “if the chief would permit me to inform him that, as far as my knowledge as a sailor went, I hoped and believed we should have rain before two days were over.”
The messenger seemed much pleased at my reply, feeling, perhaps, that I was safe in their clutches, and started off to bear it immediately to Metilulu.
I had purposely made my answer touch upon the kindness of the chief, with the hope that the little praise might act in my favour, and I had also mentioned the coming rain, thinking it possible that it might excite Metilulu’s curiosity, so, if I did not effect my escape, that he would defer my execution, to see if the “white man’s” prophecy was correct. I knew my reply would be delivered verbatim; for these Kaffir messengers can carry them for miles, but never vary in a syllable.
Zenuta returning, I informed her of Metilulu’s wish. She displayed much concern on hearing it, and finally declared that she felt sure he meant mischief.
“Do you think so, Zenuta?” I said very indifferently, for I could not even trust her with the fact that I was about to escape; for I should have had to add that I must leave her behind, and we never again should meet. Poor girl! But what could I do? “I do not think so,” I continued; “he has proved himself so hospitable to me up to this time, that I do not believe he would change. At any rate, he will assuredly listen to my arguments; and finally, Zenuta, you are aware,” I added solemnly, pointing upward, “that my faith rests in One above, who has power to save me if He please, had all the chiefs in Caffraria willed my death.”
She looked doubtfully and with awe at me, then said, with touching earnestness, “May He, then, save you, Galbrth, if He really can, my beloved!”
Despite my apparent indifference, Zenuta’s behaviour naturally made me more certain than ever that to stay till the morrow would be like signing my own death-warrant; therefore, for all Metilulu’s peaceful message, I determined to be gone that night.
How long the time appeared before it came. When it did, however, it could not have been more kind to me, for the moon did not rise till late and the night was very dark. So, anxiously waiting alone in my hut, I listened till all grew silent in the kraal, and I felt sure its inmates were wrapped in sleep. Then I glided out, my kaross tied up, the tobacco strung round my shoulders, and my shield and assagais in my hand. Fearing to quit the place by the usual egress, lest the dogs should create a disturbance and alarm the sleepers, I stealthily skirted my hut till I reached the fence, where, with a strength made great by the imminence of my danger, I forced the poles asunder and squeezed myself through. When I was outside, I gave a long sigh of relief for I felt free, safe, but not quite safe enough. On the contrary, I was very anxious to put as great a distance between the kraal and myself as possible before my absence could be discovered. So quickly I hurried on, keeping a sharp look-out around and breathing many blessings upon the darkness; but I had not gone far when the moon, showing the tip of its broad disc over the hills, east a silver ray of light on the opposite horizon, warning me of its approach, and I glanced keenly on each side for some bushes to conceal my figure from view.
As I did so I came to a most abrupt halt, for among the trees some distance off, where the moonbeams fell, I could swear I saw the dusky forms of Kaffirs gliding in and out about the trunks. A moment’s careful inspection proved to me that they did not belong to the tribe I had just left, but were advancing apparently with the extremest caution. What could it mean? There was but one answer. Some Chief was retaliating upon Metilulu the attack he had not many days ago made upon him. But what was I to do? Make use of the confusion that must ensue to favour my escape! No; I could not do it; for I recalled the kindness I had experienced from these people, and thought of the helpless women, Zenuta above all, and children who lay sleeping, unconscious of the approaching enemy who, in a brief space, would massacre them with the most barbaric cruelty.
My resolve was instantly taken. With the greatest speed I could muster, I swiftly returned to the kraal, entering by the same way I had left. Then having flung my kaross and tobacco back into the hut, I ran first to the “boys’” huts, they being the nearest, afterwards to the men’s, whispering the word of alarm—“The enemy is upon us.”
Quickly the whole kraal was astir, and, hastily arming themselves with shields and assagais, commenced as quietly as possible driving the cattle to the bush, for the first thought of the besieger is to seize the cows, while that of the besieged is to prevent his doing so.
Through the enemy advancing at the back of the kraal, we were able to quit it unperceived with the oxen, women, and children, for the latter also were to take refuge in the bush till the fight was over. We were but just in time, for scarcely had all been safely placed than, ere we could get back, with yells like an army of fiends, the place was surrounded by the enemy, who scaled the fence like a swarm of black beetles, flourishing their weapons, and proving by their behaviour how little mercy the sleeping inmates would have obtained had they been there.
Speedily, however, they discovered that the kraal was empty, and their howls of baffled rage was only excelled by those they uttered when a shower of assagais from our party showed that they were expected and prepared for. Then for the first time I witnessed a Kaffir method of warfare. Each man crouched behind his shield, or held it so as to protect his head, only glancing out when he cast his weapon with unerring aim at his enemy.
The moon was now fully up, lighting the entire scene, which was both picturesque and animated. The air at first seemed darkened by the flying assagais, and I, forgetful of the danger I had so lately and perhaps still did run, threw mine with as good a will as any of them.
Many of our men fell; but I soon perceived that our numbers far exceeded the enemy, who no doubt had reckoned on a surprise for success. They began visibly to give way, and shortly after, forming into a compact body, the shields held in front like a wall, as against them the native spears are useless, they commenced a slow retreat, for they had speedily taken to the open field when the fight began. Slowly we followed, casting our spears as they did as we proceeded, when, suddenly, over the fence surrounding the huts, several black forms were seen to leap, and the next moment sharp pointed tongues of flame shot up from numerous parts into the air.
They had fired the kraal!
The yells of rage now came from our party, as frantic for revenge they made a furious charge on the enemy, who fled with all haste to the bush, leaving many wounded behind them, who were pitilessly slaughtered by the infuriated pursuers. But the bush once gained, it became useless to follow further, therefore the order was given to return and collect the cattle, which were becoming restive and ungovernable at the sight of the flames.
To have saved the kraal, I need not say, would have been impossible, constructed as it was of wood and thatch, so, having got the oxen safe, we encamped on the hillside, where—the Kaffirs breathing vows of a terrible vengeance—we sat to watch it burn out; and a fine sight truly it was, forming a grand picture, for the spiral masses of flame rushing with a roar upward, lighted for some distance around the strangely grand African scenery, while the broad faced moon, with her attendant stars, shone placidly down from above.