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.
