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Thus we journeyed in the centre of a square whence any escape would
have been impossible； for I forgot to say that our keepers Har？t and
Mar？t rode exactly behind us； at such a distance that we could call to
them if we wished。
At first I found this method of travelling very tiring； as does
everyone who is quite unaccustomed to camel…back。 Indeed the swing and
the jolt of the swift creature beneath me seemed to wrench my bones
asunder to such an extent that at the beginning I had once or twice to
be lifted from the saddle when； after hours of torture； at length we
camped for the night。 Poor Savage suffered even more than I did； for
the motion reduced him to a kind of jelly。 Ragnall； however； who I
think had ridden camels before； felt little inconvenience； and the
same may be said of Hans； who rode in all sorts of positions；
sometimes sideways like a lady； and at others kneeling on the saddle
like a monkey on a barrel…organ。 Also； being very light and tough as
rimpis； the swaying motion did not seem to affect him。
By degrees all these troubles left us to such an extent that I could
cover my fifty miles a day； more or less； without even feeling tired。
Indeed I grew to like the life in that pure and sparkling desert air；
perhaps because it was so restful。 Day after day we journeyed on
across the endless； sandy plain； watching the sun rise； watching it
grow high； watching it sink again。 Night after night we ate our simple
food with appetite and slept beneath the glittering stars till the new
dawn broke in glory from the bosom of the immeasurable East。
We spoke but little during all this time。 It was as though the silence
of the wilderness had got hold of us and sealed our lips。 Or perhaps
each of us was occupied with his own thoughts。 At any rate I know that
for my part I seemed to live in a kind of dreamland； thinking of the
past； reflecting much upon the innumerable problems of this passing
show called life； but not paying much heed to the future。 What did the
future matter to me； who did not know whether I should have a share of
it even for another month； or week； or day； surrounded as I was by the
shadow of death？ No； I troubled little as to any earthly future；
although I admit that in this oasis of calm I reflected upon that
state where past； present and future will all be one； also that those
reflections； which were in their essence a kind of unshaped prayer；
brought much calm to my spirit。
With the regiment of escort we had practically no communication； I
think that they had been forbidden to talk to us。 They were a very
silent set of men； finely…made； capable persons； of an Arab type；
light rather than dark in colour； who seemed for the most part to
communicate with each other by signs or in low…muttered words。
Evidently they looked upon Har？t and Mar？t with great veneration； for
any order which either of these brethren gave； if they were brethren；
was obeyed without dispute or delay。 Thus； when I happened to mention
that I had lost a pocket…knife at one of our camping…places two days'
journey back； three of them； much against my wish； were ordered to
return to look for it； and did so； making no question。 Eight days
later they rejoined us much exhausted and having lost a camel； but
with the knife； which they handed to me with a low bow； and I confess
that I felt ashamed to take the thing。
Nor did we exchange many further confidences with Har？t and Mar？t。 Up
to the time of our arrival at the boundaries of the Kendah country；
our only talk with them was of the incidents of travel； of where we
should camp； of how far it might be to the next water； for water…holes
or old wells existed in this desert； of such birds as we saw； and so
forth。 As to other and more important matters a kind of truce seemed
to prevail。 Still； I observed that they were always studying us； and
especially Lord Ragnall； who rode on day after day； self…absorbed and
staring straight in front of him as though he looked at something we
could not see。
Thus we covered hundreds of miles； not less than five hundred at the
least； reckoning our progress at only thirty miles a day； including
stoppages。 For occasionally we stopped at the water…holes or small
oases； where the camels drank and rested。 Indeed； these were so
conveniently arranged that I came to the conclusion that once there
must have been some established route running across these wastelands
to the south； of which the traditional knowledge remained with the
Kendah people。 If so； it had not been used for generations； for save
those of one or two that had died on the outward march； we saw no
skeletons of camels or other beasts； or indeed any sign of man。 The
place was an absolute wilderness where nothing lived except a few
small mammals at the oases and the birds that passed over it in the
air on their way to more fertile regions。 Of these； by the way； I saw
many that are known both to Europe and Africa； especially ducks and
cranes； also storks that； for aught I can say； may have come from far…
off； homely Holland。
At last the character of the country began to change。 Grass appeared
on its lower…lying stretches； then bushes； then occasional trees and
among the trees a few buck。 Halting the caravan I crept out and shot
two of these buck with a right and left； a feat that caused our grave
escort to stare in a fashion which showed me that they had never seen
anything of the sort done before。
That night； while we were eating the venison with relish； since it was
the first fresh meat that we had tasted for many a day； I observed
that the disposition of our camp was different from its common form。
Thus it was smaller and placed on an eminence。 Also the camels were
not allowed to graze where they would as usual； but were kept within a
limited area while their riders were arranged in groups outside of
them。 Further； the stores were piled near our tents； in the centre；
with guards set over them。 I asked Har？t and Mar？t； who were sharing
our meal； the reason of these alterations。
〃It is because we are on the borders of the Kendah country；〃 answered
old Har？t。 〃Four days' more march will bring us there； Macumazana。〃
〃Then why should you take precautions against your own people？ Surely
they will welcome you。〃
〃With spears perhaps。 Macumazana； learn that the Kendah are not one
but two people。 As you may have heard before； we are the White Kendah；
but there are also Black Kendah who outnumber us many times over；
though in the beginning we from the north conquered them； or so says
our history。 The White Kendah have their own territory； but as there
is no other road； to reach it we must pass through that of the Black
Kendah； where it is always possible that we may be attacked；
especially as we bring strangers into the land。〃
〃How is it then that the Black Kendah allow you to live at all； Har？t；
if they are so much the more numerous？〃
〃Because of fear； Macu