“A good idea, and I hope that you may succeed,” said Denis. “In the meantime the best thing we can do is to pretend to be as much at our ease as possible. I don’t think the fellows intend to kill us, or to do us any harm.”
“They look fierce enough,” said Percy. “I only hope, Lionel, that you’ll be able to carry out your plan; but you must run no unnecessary risk. I should think that Hendricks is sure to search for us, when he finds that we do not return; whereas, should they find you trying to run away, they might, in very wantonness, send an assegai through you.”
“If I try to run, it will be at night, when there will be very little chance of being discovered,” answered Lionel; “I hear the men saying that they are about to carry us off. Should we be separated, we must keep up our courage, remember that.”
As he spoke, two Kaffirs seized each of the lads somewhat roughly by the arms, to make them get up, and at the same time snatched their rifles out of their hands. This done, the chiefs, squatting down, appropriated the remainder of the venison, which they quickly ate up, while their followers stood holding their prisoners at a little distance. The chiefs then rising, ordered the men who had charge of the horses to bring them up, and mounting, rode forward, while the rest of the party, holding fast the young Englishmen, followed behind.
They first ascended the hill, down which Denis and his companions had come, but they soon altered their course, and proceeded first to the south, and then turning due west continued their march.
“I can’t say that I quite like the way they are treating us,” said Denis. “It shows that they are not animated by any friendly spirit, or they would not have ridden our horses while they make us walk. It puzzles me to say to what party they can belong. I am nearly certain that King Panda and his son Cetchwayo would not treat us in this fashion, as they have always shown a tolerably friendly feeling towards the English.”
“I have been trying to listen to what the men have been saying, but I cannot make out what they intend to do with us,” observed Lionel.
“At all events, it is a comfort that we are allowed to keep together,” said Percy. “It strikes me that perhaps their object is to hold us as hostages for some purpose or other, but what purpose that is I can’t even guess.”
Poor Gozo looked very crestfallen, as he was led along at some distance from his young masters; he, apparently, fully expecting to be put to death.
They proceeded for some way at a rapid rate, which, active as the three friends were, they found it very difficult to keep up with. Occasionally the chiefs looked back to see that they were coming, and Denis thought he saw them laughing and casting scornful looks at him and his companions. They went on without stopping to rest or take any food; sometimes up hill, sometimes down, across valleys, and over rocky ground, until, as evening was approaching, the hum of human voices was heard. Some little distance ahead a kraal was seen on the side of a hill, while in the valley below were assembled a large concourse of men employed in various ways; some formed into regiments were marching here and there, others collected round fires were engaged in cooking, while a considerable number were employed in putting up huts.