“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.