CHAPTER SEVEN.
IN THE HANDS OF THE ZULUS.
The three lads found themselves the sole occupants of a hut about sevenfeet in diameter, and of a height scarcely sufficient to enable them tostand upright, except in the centre. There was but one opening, throughwhich they had been compelled to creep, and this was closed by one oftheir guards sitting down before it, with his knees drawn up to hischin, the only light and air they enjoyed being admitted through thesmall space above his shoulders.
"It isn't altogether pleasant to be shut up like rats in a trap," saidDenis, as he surveyed the hut; "but it might have been worse if a partyof Kaffirs had slept in it last night. As far as I can judge it hasn'tbeen occupied before."
"If it had, there would have been mats and bundles of grass," observedLionel; "whereas we shall have nothing but the bare ground to lie on."
"As the ground appears to be perfectly dry, we need not complain ofthat," observed Percy, "I only hope that the chief will let us go in themorning."
"There's very little chance of that," said Denis. "He intends that weshould be of some use to him, or he would not have sent his people tocapture us. I wonder whether he will send us some food."
"I can't say I feel very hungry," observed Percy. "It is fortunate thatwe took a good dinner."
They waited and waited, expecting that Umbulazi would think of them, butno food was brought. At last Denis spoke to their Kaffir guard, sayingthat they were very hungry, and would be much obliged if he would obtainsome provisions; but no answer was returned to his request.
"I believe the fellow is asleep," said Lionel. "Yes! listen, I can hearhim snoring. I see his head nodding through the opening. If that's theway he keeps guard, I think I can play him a trick; and the chances arethe rest of the fellows are asleep also. It is now nearly dark outside.In a little time the whole camp will have lain down. We could easilymake a hole under the wall of the hut, large enough for me to creepthrough, and once outside, if the guards don't catch me, I could find myway to where the horses are feeding."
"A capital idea," said Denis. "I don't think there will be muchdifficulty in carrying it out."
"But you would run a fearful risk of having an assegai sent through youif you were discovered," exclaimed Percy. "For your own sake I had muchrather you did not make the attempt."
"I am not afraid of that," answered Lionel. "I'll take good care not tobe caught. I know the ways of the people, where they are likely to besleeping, and where their guards are posted. The chances are they willbe asleep in a short time, like that fellow who is acting as doorkeeperto us. If I can manage to reach our camp, Hendricks will soon come andset you free."
"But suppose you were to meet a lion or leopard, as you have no rifle,how would you defend yourself?"
"I would keep out of his way, and shout and shriek at the top of myvoice, you may depend upon that," he answered.
Percy was at last induced, though not very willingly, to consent toLionel's making the attempt he proposed.
They all three sat down on the ground to talk over the matter, andagreed that it would not be wise to commence operations until later onin the night.
Fortunately Percy had a match-box, for the Zulus had not rifled theirpockets, and striking a light, he ascertained that it was about eleveno'clock.
"We cannot have a better time," said Denis, "so we'll set to workimmediately; but I say, we must keep talking, lest that black guard ofours should open his ears and suspect something."
They accordingly all three began talking as if holding some excitingdiscussion, Denis every now and then giving way to a hearty laugh.
Percy tried to imitate him, but did not succeed very well, for he wasexceedingly anxious about Lionel's undertaking, which he thought moredangerous than it really was. Having no tools except their knives, theoperation was a long one. They cut through the lower part of the twigs,and had to scrape away the earth with their hands. Only two could workat a time, and they took it by turns, the third sitting near the door tohide his companions or give notice, should the guard awake and look in.
"We shall be through in another minute!" exclaimed Lionel. "Hurrah, itis done now!" he cried out soon afterwards. "I can be through in amoment. What is the old fellow at the door about?"
"He is still snoring away," answered Percy.
"Well, then, do you and Denis keep talking and laughing, and I'll slipout."
"But do come back if you find any difficulty in making your way to thehorses," said Percy. "It would be far better that we should submit towhatever the prince intends than that you should run the risk of beingkilled."
"No fear," answered Lionel, as he shook hands with his companions."Depend upon it, I shall be safe with Hendricks before the morning.Good-bye!" and he began to crawl through the opening. He stopped,however, before he was quite through, and backing in said, "Remember toclose the hole, Denis, before the morning, so that, if possible, theZulus might not discover how I got out."
"I'll do my best," said Denis, and Lionel again crawled through theopening. Not the slightest noise was made, so that the guards at theentrance of the hut, even if they had not been asleep, would not haveheard him. Denis, as soon as he had gone, lay down with his head to theopening to listen. No sound reached his ears. He then crept partlythrough, but could see nothing. Not a person was stirring, not even adog barked. "Lionel will get clear, I hope," he said, as he drew backinto the hut. "He is a wonderfully sharp, clever little fellow. As helived so long among the Zulus, he knows all their ways. Even if hemeets any one, he will be able to pretend to be a young Zulu, providedit is still dark, though of course his dress would betray him indaylight. I almost wish that we had gone too," said Denis. "If hesucceed, so might we."
"Not so sure of that," observed Percy. "Three objects moving along theground would be more likely to be discovered than one; and if I wereaddressed, I, at all events, could not pretend to be a Zulu boy,whatever you might do. Still, it would have been satisfactory had weall got free; but then, what would have become of poor Gozo? They wouldhave assegaid him in revenge. Depend upon it, we were wiser to remain.Perhaps, after all, Lionel is hiding, and may find it necessary to comeback."
They waited anxiously, almost fearing to hear Lionel's voice. Time wenton, but he did not make his appearance. At last Denis thought that hemight venture to stop up the opening; so he began shovelling in theearth and replacing the twigs; he knew, however, should any one examinethe outside, it must be discovered that a hole had been made; but it wasjust possible that it might not be observed, and he amused himself bythinking that if so how puzzled the Zulus would be to account for thedisappearance of Lionel.
"I'll pretend not to know what has become of him, and to be as muchastonished as they are," he said, laughing. "I'll suggest that he mighthave vanished through the roof, or that he was not put in at all, orthat he has evaporated, although, to be sure, they won't know what thatmeans, and I don't know how I could well explain it, as the Kaffirtongue has nothing equivalent to the term. However, I'll do my best tomystify them."
"I would rather not make the attempt. I always hold that we ought totell the truth and stand the consequences," said Percy. "He had aperfect right to run away, and he exercised that right. I would ratheryou said what had happened, and that he had gone only for our sakes, tolet our friends know what has become of us."
"Well, we'll see how things turn out," said Denis. "Are you notbeginning to feel hungry?"
"Indeed I am, and sleepy too," answered Percy. "I would rather havesomething to eat; but as we cannot get that, the best thing we can do isto go to sleep. I'll try, although our couches are not of the mostluxurious description."
Percy lay down, as did Denis. They felt various creatures crawling overthem; but they knew that they must bear such annoyances patiently.Their eyes in a short time closed, and they went fast asleep. They werearoused at early dawn by the shouts and cries of hundreds of voices.The Zulu gaoler no longer stopped
up the doorway by his black body.They concluded that he was not afraid they would attempt to escapeduring daylight, as they would certainly be seen.
Denis therefore crawled out of the hut to look about him. The sun wasjust rising over the hills to the eastward. The whole valley, at thefarther end of which they were, was filled with warriors formed intoregiments of four or five hundred men each. Some little distance off,in front of his hut, stood the chief, Umbulazi, surrounded by hiscounsellors and other wise men.
Suddenly all the men commenced performing the most extraordinary antics,leaping, and whirling, and twisting, and turning, at the same timeuttering the loudest shrieks and cries at the top of their voices.
"What are they about?" asked Percy, who had crept out after Denis.
"They are simply dancing a war dance in honour of their chief. We shallhave an opportunity of witnessing their performance."
The chief and his attendants were so busily employed in watching thetroops, that they did not observe the young Englishmen standing outsidetheir prison.
Presently the leading regiment began to move forward, the men stillleaping, twisting, and turning, shaking their shields, quivering theirassegais, and shouting all the time until they approached to where thechief stood, when halting for an instant they redoubled their efforts,and then passed on (it cannot be said they marched) to give room foranother party who went through the same style of performance.
When the whole had passed in review, they dispersed in differentdirections, some to bring in wood, and others to slaughter some oxenwhich had been driven into the camp for the purpose.
So occupied had Umbulazi been with this extraordinary review of histroops, that he had apparently forgotten all about his prisoners, whomeantime stood watching the proceedings, much interested with thecurious spectacle. Denis at length proposed that they should make off,catch their horses, and gallop away. Percy was opposed to this, as itwas nearly certain they would be seen and followed.
"I'm afraid you are right," said Denis; "and there's another strongargument in favour of staying--I'm so desperately hungry, that I don'tthink I could ride far without food; and as these fellows will soon behaving breakfast, I conclude that they will have the grace to offer ussome. If they don't, I shall make bold to go and take it, for theywon't object, even though they may intend to assegai us directlyafterwards."
They waited until the review was over. Denis then advised Percy to goback into the hut, while he set off on a foraging expedition.
"If we two were to go together, they would wonder what had become ofLionel, but if I alone appear, they will suppose that you are bothinside the hut," he said. "The chances are, they don't put in theirheads to find out; for everybody is so busily employed that they won'ttrouble themselves about us."
Percy agreed to the proposal, and creeping in, sat down to wait thereturn of Denis.
"There's nothing like putting a bold face upon the matter," thoughtDenis; and seeing Umbulazi standing in front of his hut, he walkedboldly up to him.
"_Unigane_!" he said, saluting him in the Kaffir fashion.
"_Saka bona_," answered the chief, equivalent to good morning. "What isit you want, my friend?"
"My companions and I were made prisoners by your people, but I concludethat you do not wish to starve us, and we want some breakfast," answeredDenis.
"You should have remained inside the hut where you were placed, and itwould have been brought to you," said the chief, apparently justrecollecting all about his captives. "How dare you come out?"
"To obtain some fresh air, and to see you review your magnificent army,"answered Denis.
"And you think that my soldiers are fine fellows?" said the chief,evidently well pleased. "They will be able to drive Cetchwayo and allhis followers out of the country, so that none will be left to opposeme."
"I have not seen Cetchwayo's army, so that I cannot reply to thatremark," answered Denis. "What is in the future no man can tell."
"Ah! but I have engaged a famous enchantress who knows all things thatare going to happen. She is to come to me this morning, having spentthe night in looking into the future, and will tell me what is to be myfate, whether I shall be defeated or gain the victory and become king ofthe Zulus."
"If you become king of the country, you will wish to be friends with theEnglish, as Panda is. Now it strikes me, the best way to show yourfriendly intentions is to treat well those who fall into your power. Ihope therefore, after we have had some breakfast, that you will restoreus our rifles and horses, and allow us to return to those who arewaiting for us."
"Go back to your hut, and wait until I send for you!" answered Umbulazi,making a grimace from which Denis drew no favourable augury. He thoughtit wise to obey.
"What news?" asked Percy, as he entered.
"One certain piece of news is that Lionel got off safe; but what thechief intends doing with us is more than I can say. I hope he will sendus some breakfast; if not, we must forage for ourselves. The fellowsdown there will soon have their meat cooked and their mealy cakes baked.Before they have eaten them all up I will go down to one of the firesand claim a portion."
They waited for some time.
"I can stand this no longer!" cried Denis at last, and he got upintending to proceed to the nearest fire, when just as he crawledthrough the opening a Kaffir woman appeared carrying a basket on herhead.
"The chief has sent you this," she said; "you are to eat it and bethankful; but he bids me tell you that if you attempt to run away youwill be killed."
"We are much obliged to the chief," said Denis, as the girl placed thebasket on the ground. "Tell him that we wish to remain friends, andthat when he gives us permission we will bid him good-bye."
Denis, however, was too hungry to say more, and taking up the basketentered the hut. It contained a gourd of whey, some mealy cakes andcooked buffalo flesh.
"This isn't bad, after all," observed Denis as they fell to. "We havegot Lionel's share as well as our own; however, we may stow that away incase we want it."
They had just finished their meal when their attention was attracted bya loud hubbub outside.
Denis crept out to ascertain the cause of the noise. Percy followedhim, when they saw the whole Zulu army collected in two long lines,extending to the farther end of the valley. In the distance appearedone of the strangest figures imaginable. It was that, as the dressbetokened, of a woman. Slowly she advanced up the centre, between thetwo lines of warriors, followed by a dozen men or more, carrying largeshields, against which they beat with their clubs, making a sound likethat of drums. As she drew near it was seen that she was bedecked inthe most curious fashion. Her nose was painted white, as was one of hereyelids, while the other was dyed with red earth. Her long hair wasplastered together by a mixture of grease and clay blackened withcharcoal. Round her neck were suspended coils of the entrails ofanimals stuffed with fat, while her hair was stuck over in alldirections with the gall bladders of animals. Several dried snakes, ahuman skull, and the heads and claws of birds, hung suspended from hershoulders, besides which she wore a necklace made of human finger bones,and rings of the same description round her ankles, her only actualgarment being a short kilt hanging from her waist. In her left hand sheheld a wand with long tails at its end, which she flourished vigorouslyabove her head as she advanced with prancing steps up the valley. Inher right she carried her magic rattle, which she shook violently, nowon one side, now on the other. The men drew aside to let her pass andto avoid being struck either by her wand or rattle, evidently holdingher in great awe. On she came, however, disregarding their terror, andshowing no inclination to denounce any of them as evil-doers, theservice wizards and enchantresses are generally employed in rendering tothe governing powers. As she got near to Umbulazi, she increased therapidity of her movements, springing forward in the most wonderfulmanner, now turning to one side, now to the other, and bounding high inthe air, while the charms she wore rattled and bumped against her body.U
mbulazi and the chiefs round him watched these proceedings with intenseeagerness, wondering what she would next do. Presently her eye fell onDenis and Percy.
"I think we should be wise to get into our hut," exclaimed Percy. "Idon't like the look of that hideous creature."
Before, however, they could do so she was up to them, and flourishingher magical wand she struck them both on the shoulders. Although theblows did not hurt them, the effects were likely to prove disastrous.In another instant she had bounded away, and was apparently about toretire between the lines of soldiers. She had not gone far, however,before Umbulazi shouted to her to return.
Almost directly she had delivered the blows, several of the Zuluwarriors, chiefs and others, rushed with threatening gestures towardsthe two captives. Denis, who was well acquainted with the customs ofthe Zulus, fully expected that a cruel death was instantly to be theirlot; but mustering all his courage, he put on as determined a look as hecould assume.
"We're in for it, Percy," he said, "so you must be prepared for theworst; but I'll try what I can do with these abominable savages."
Then looking boldly at the surrounding chiefs he addressed them in anundaunted tone.
"What are ye about to do, my friends?" he asked. "Because that strangewoman struck us, are we to be treated as if we had committed some crimeor were your sworn enemies?"
But no reply was deigned; all the expostulations he could offer werewithout the slightest effect. He and Percy were dragged up to the hutof the chief, before whom the woman was standing. He had just put theimportant question for her to answer--whether if he went to war heshould obtain success over his enemies.
"Success will attend those who are the bravest and most numerous. Seeyonder host spread out before you. Can you doubt, O Prince, thatvictory will be yours?" she replied, in a loud chanting tone.
Umbulazi looked highly pleased at this answer.
"You hear what the wise woman says?" he exclaimed, turning to hischiefs.
"We will fight, we will gain the victory," they shouted.
Denis and Percy were all this time watching the proceedings with thegreatest anxiety, wondering what would happen to them.
"What would you have me do with these white boys?" asked the chief.
"They have come as spies into your camp. They are the sons of those whohave often tried to dispossess you of your lands. Let them, before thesun sets, be pierced through with assegais, and become as the dust ofthe earth."
"What does she say?" asked Percy, observing the expression of Denis'scountenance.
"Something not very pleasant to us. She advises these fellows to killus. But she has made a mistake, and not for the first time in her life;for she declares that we came into the camp to act as spies. Now theprince and the rest of the chiefs know perfectly well that we werebrought in prisoners, and I should think they will have wit enough tosee that she knows nothing about the matter."
From the remarks made by the chiefs, and the fierce glances they cast athim and Percy, Denis however felt anything but sure that they would doso.
"I'm very thankful that Lionel escaped," said Percy. "He will tellHendricks where we are, and if we do not return, he will know what hasbecome of us. Still I can scarcely fancy that these fellows will reallyput us to death."
"I don't think they would if they were left to themselves," said Denis;"but that dreadful old woman has so wonderful an influence on theirsuperstitious minds, that she can induce them to do anything she likes.Now I suspect that she is in the interest of the other party, and shethinks that if these fellows can be induced to kill us, they will makeour countrymen their enemies."
"If they are to die, the sooner they are put to death the better,"exclaimed Umbulazi. "We will then, my brave warriors, set forth, sureof victory, to fight our foes."
Just at this juncture a large band of warriors was seen approaching thecamp, led by a chief, who could be distinguished as such by the plumesin his head-dress, his cloak, and kilt of skins, and the ornaments onhis oblong shield. He hastened on with his followers towards whereUmbulazi was standing. As he drew near, Denis exclaimed--
"I am much mistaken if that young chief is not Mangaleesu, who was forso long living near Maritzburg. He was always a great friend ofLionel's and mine, and I'm sure he would not see us massacred withouttrying to save us." Denis however waited until the fresh arrivals hadpaid their respects in the usual fashion to the prince. He then shoutedout in English, "Mangaleesu, Mangaleesu! come and save us. These peopleaccuse us of being spies, and threaten to kill us, although the princehimself knows we were brought into the camp against our wills, and thatour only object is to get back to Hendricks, with whom we aretravelling."
Mangaleesu, on hearing his name called, came up to them, and at onceaddressing their captors, inquired what crime they had committed.
No one could at first answer him, but at last one of them observed thatthe great enchantress declared that they had come into the camp asspies.
"But you all know that they were brought into the camp, and I willanswer for it that they have no evil intentions against the prince orany one else. If we were to kill them, we should make all the white menin Natal our enemies," answered Mangaleesu.
His arguments appeared to be prevailing, when the savage old hag,fearing that her influence would be lost, should her orders not beobeyed, shouted out in a croaking voice--
"Kill them! kill them! If they are allowed to live, you cannot gain thevictory."
"If they are killed," cried Mangaleesu, "neither I nor my followers canunite with those who allow so cruel an act. The English have alwaysbeen my friends, and I will not see them ill-treated, notwithstandingwhat that old woman says. It was not long since that she was seenpaying a visit to Cetchwayo, and who can tell that she has not been sentby him to betray us?"
The hag, who heard all that was said, began to move uneasily, andgradually drew back from the crowd, until she joined the men who hadaccompanied her into the camp. So deeply steeped in superstition werethe minds of the Zulus, that they could not divest themselves of theidea that her predictions would be fulfilled, in spite of all Mangaleesuhad said. Denis and Percy were therefore kept strictly guarded in theirmidst.
They could see the old witch at some distance gesticulating violently,waving her arms about, occasionally leaping from side to side in themost extraordinary fashion. Now and then she pointed to them in a waywhich made them fear that she was still urging the chiefs to put them todeath. Mangaleesu was the only one who held out. Had he not arrived,it seemed very probable that the savages would have plunged theirassegais in their bodies. Even now their lives hung in the balance.For some time she was seen talking to several men, among whom were thosewho had been their guards during the night. Presently she advanced, andas she waved her wand, and pointed towards them, Denis heard herexclaim--
"There were three of them! Where is the third? Without him the numberis incomplete."
The prince, who seemed to have forgotten this fact, on hearing herspeak, exclaimed--
"You are right, most sagacious prophetess. There were three. Bring himforth, that he may suffer the doom of the others."
Instantly several of the young chiefs rushed to the hut, and were seen,one after the other, crawling in.
"They'll be mighty puzzled when they find that he's not there," saidDenis. "I'm doubly thankful that he got off if we are to be killed, andthere seems a great chance of that."
"Do you think they'll have the barbarity to put us to death?" askedPercy. "What object can they have in doing so?"
"Those fellows think no more of killing a man than we do of snuffing outa candle. If Mangaleesu cannot persuade them to let us go, we'll have apoor chance indeed of escape."
It seemed that Denis was right in his conjectures. The dreadful oldwitch was evidently bent on their destruction. Still, while there'slife there's hope, and Percy did not give way to despair. They bothmaintained as calm a manner as they could command.
"What has become of your companion?" asked Umbulazi.
"We were not set to watch him, and if he's not there, it's clear thathe's gone," answered Denis, adding in English, "and I hope you are muchthe 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," saidDenis, in the same tone as before.
"Where are the guards? Send them here!" cried Umbulazi, in an angrytone.
Denis feared that the poor fellows would lose their lives, and unwillingto have them put to death, he cried out--
"They are not to blame. He is but a small boy, so he crept out by ahole, through which a large man could not have forced his way. He iswith our friends long ago, I hope, so you need not trouble yourselvesabout him."
This answer, however, did not save the unfortunate guards, who soonapproached, looking very downcast.
"I gave three prisoners into your charge; here are two, but where is thethird?" asked the prince.
The three guards could not reply. At last one of them asked permissionto go and search the hut. The prince told them that they might do so,but must come back and be killed, if they did not find the boy.
As may be supposed, they were a long time in making the search, andalthough the Zulus are very indifferent to death, yet they werenaturally unwilling to go back and be killed. Denis earnestly hopedthat they would try and make their escape, for he justly feared thatshould the prince once see blood flowing, like the savage tiger, hewould be even more ready than before to shed theirs.
At last the prince, growing impatient, ordered some men to go to the hutand bring out the guards, either with or without the prisoner. Theunhappy wretches were quickly dragged forward.
"Where is the boy?" asked the prince.
No answer was given.
"Kill them!" he exclaimed; and in an instant some heavy clubs descendedon their heads, and each man lay in his blood, pierced by a dozenassegais.
"It will be our turn next!" cried Denis. "Are you ready, Percy?"
"As much as I can be. How thankful I am that Lionel escaped!" As hespoke, a dozen warriors with their assegais uplifted, still drippingwith the blood of their former victims, approached; but at that momentthere was a cry that some white men were coming, one of them waving aflag.
"Hold!" exclaimed Umbulazi. "It will not be wise to kill the prisonersjust as their countrymen are coming. I would rather have them asfriends than enemies."
Denis, who heard him speak, felt his heart bound.
"I don't think we shall die just yet," he said to Percy, "for here comeHendricks and Crawford and Umgolo, with a dozen armed men close behindthem."
Hendricks the Hunter; Or, The Border Farm: A Tale of Zululand Page 7