But in a few moments a change came over the scene. Six painted warriors came running from the north-west to meet the marching force, which halted, swallowing up the runners into its own mass. A few minutes passed; then the whole body wheeled about and returned to the spot where the Swahilis and their negroes were still grouped in a circle.
"Men from the village come to report our escape," said John.
"But why should that make the chief turn back?" rejoined Ferrier. "It ought to have the opposite effect."
"I take it that the chief is so mad at being done that he has decided not to go until he has caught me again."
"But your escape is no news to him. They've seen you already."
"That's true. Well, I can't account for it; but it's clear that those six fellows have caused a change in the tide, and I wish them at Halifax."
The conference was resumed, and continued until dark. There was no further outburst. Ferrier utilized the time to finish the second bastion: it was impossible to doubt that the enemy was planning an attack. It would not be made in the night, but must be looked for as soon as morning broke. Ferrier's expression was very grave as he helped John to reach his little grass hut in the centre of the fort. He had made an inspection of the stock of provisions during the morning, and knew that it would not last beyond another day.
"I won't worry John to-night," he thought, "but he'll have to know in the morning."
Though convinced that no attack would be made during the dark hours, Ferrier took the precaution of putting four men on sentry-go. He insisted on John's going to bed as soon as he had had his massaging, and sat down by the fire himself, in no cheerful frame of mind. He knew he would get little sleep that night, for the negro, though willing enough, is ever an untrustworthy sentinel. And when he reflected on the horde of savage enemies without, he could not look forward with confidence to the issue of the coming fight. He canvassed the possibility of help coming from Nairobi or Fort Hall, reckoning how long it would take for the messenger to reach Mr. Gillespie, and how long for a rescue party to gain the fort. But he found the very elements of the calculation uncertain; try as he might, he could not recollect clearly how many days had passed since they left the farm. Never before had he understood the savage man's indifference to time; it was now clear; time is an invention of civilization.
While he was sitting thus brooding over the fire, one of the sentries, an askari of his original safari, came running to him.