Part 10 (1/2)
Denis interpreted what the chief said to Percy, as naturally anxious to know the result of the conversation
”We must put the best face we can on the matter,” he added, ”and I only hope that they'll let us keep our guns”
This seemed very doubtful, for froard their prisoners with any affectionate feeling Lionel had not hitherto spoken, and as they found that Percy was unacquainted with their language, they supposed that he was so likewise
”Don't speak to them, Lionel,” said Denis ”I'll act as interpreter, and then you may be able to find out why they have taken us prisoners, and what they intend to do to us”
”It will be wise to do so,” answered Lionel; ”and if I aet away, I will let Uncle Hendricks knohat has happened, and he will very soon be down upon these gentleood idea, and I hope that youwe 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 harh,” 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 h 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 thethat they are about to carry us off Should we be separated, we e, remember that”
As he spoke, two Kaffirs seized each of the lads soet 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 thethe, rode forward, while the rest of the party, holding fast the young Englishmen, followed behind
They first ascended the hill, dohich 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 puzzlesI a Panda and his son Cetchould not treat us in this fashi+on, as they have always shown a tolerably friendly feeling towards the English”
”I have been trying to listen to what the , but I cannot make out what they intend to do with us,” observed Lionel
”At all events, it is a coether,”
said Percy ”It strikes es for souess”
Poor Gozo looked very crestfallen, as he was led along at soto 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 co scornful looks at hi to rest or take any food; sometiround, 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 beloere assee concourse of i here and there, others collected round fires were engaged in cooking, while a considerable nu up huts
”Who can they be?” asked Percy
”I suppose that they must be Cetchwayo's followers, and if so we shall find him there He, at all events, is not likely to do us any harenerally supposed, he wishes to be friends with the English I know that he so, although he is said to have almost as much power in the country as his fat old father,” answered Denis ”I'll try and find out frouards”
When Denis, however, put the question to the Zulus, they, not understanding, or not wishi+ng to give him information, ht,” said Denis ”When Cetchwayo finds that we belong to Hendricks, whom he knoell, he will set us at liberty, and soundly rate our captors for carrying us off”
They were still, however, left in doubt as to how they were to be treated The chiefs on horseback proceeded down the hill, and directed their course towards one end of the valley, where a large hut had been put up, before which was seated a tall, rather stout personage, with several chiefs standing near hi him out to Percy ”I never saw the black prince, but he answers his description”
On reaching the neighbourhood of the hut, the chiefs dis their horses to soh the usual ceren to his followers to colance at them; perhaps it was habitual to his countenance
”Can either of you speak the Zulu tongue?” he inquired in a gruff voice