按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ripening。 The luxuriant appearance of these crops suggested that the
rains must have been plentiful and the season all that could be
desired。 From some of the villages by the track arose a miserable
sound of wailing。 Evidently their inhabitants had already heard that
certain of their menkind had fallen in that morning's fight。
At the end of the third hour we began to enter the great forest which
I had seen when first we looked down on Kendahland。 It was filled with
splendid trees； most of them quite strange to me； but perhaps because
of the denseness of their overshadowing crowns there was comparatively
no undergrowth。 The general effect of the place was very gloomy； since
little light could pass through the interlacing foliage of the tops of
those mighty trees。
Towards evening we came to a clearing in this forest； it may have been
four or five miles in diameter； but whether it was natural or
artificial I am not sure。 I think； however； that it was probably the
former for two reasons： the hollow nature of the ground； which lay a
good many feet lower than the surrounding forest； and the wonderful
fertility of the soil； which suggested that it had once been deposited
upon an old lake bottom。 Never did I see such crops as those that grew
upon that clearing； they were magnificent。
Wending our way along the road that ran through the tall corn； for
here every inch was cultivated； we came suddenly upon the capital of
the Black Kendah； which was known as Simba Town。 It was a large place；
somewhat different from any other African settlement with which I am
acquainted； inasmuch as it was not only stockaded but completely
surrounded by a broad artificial moat filled with water from a stream
that ran through the centre of the town； over which moat there were
four timber bridges placed at the cardinal points of the compass。
These bridges were strong enough to bear horses or stock； but so made
that in the event of attack they could be destroyed in a few minutes。
Riding through the eastern gate； a stout timber structure on the
farther side of the corresponding bridge； where the king was received
with salutes by an armed guard； we entered one of the main streets of
the town which ran from north to south and from east to west。 It was
broad and on either side of it were the dwellings of the inhabitants
set close together because the space within the stockade was limited。
These were not huts but square buildings of mud with flat roofs of
some kind of cement。 Evidently they were built upon the model of
Oriental and North African houses of which some debased tradition
remained with these people。 Thus a stairway or ladder ran from the
interior to the roof of each house； whereon its inhabitants were
accustomed； as I discovered afterwards； to sleep during a good part of
the year； also to eat in the cool of the day。 Many of them were
gathered there now to watch us pass； men； women； and children； all
except the little ones decently clothed in long garments of various
colours； the women for the most part in white and the men in a kind of
bluish linen。
I saw at once that they had already heard of the fight and of the
considerable losses which their people had sustained； for their
reception of us prisoners was most unfriendly。 Indeed the men shook
their fists at us； the women screamed out curses； while the children
stuck out their tongues in token of derision or defiance。 Most of
these demonstrations； however； were directed at Mar？t and his
followers； who only smiled indifferently。 At me they stared in wonder
not unmixed with fear。
A quarter of a mile or so from the gate we came to an inner enclosure；
that answered to the South African cattle kraal； surrounded by a dry
ditch and a timber palisade outside of which was planted a green fence
of some shrub with long white thorns。 Here we passed through more
gates； to find ourselves in an oval space； perhaps five acres in
extent。 Evidently this served as a market ground； but all around it
were open sheds where hundreds of horses were stabled。 No cattle
seemed to be kept there； except a few that with sheep and goats were
driven in every day for slaughter purposes at a shambles at the north
end； from the great stock kraals built beyond the forest to the south；
where they were safe from possible raiding by the White Kendah。
A tall reed fence cut off the southern end of this marketplace；
outside of which we were ordered to dismount。 Passing through yet
another gate we found within the fence a large hut or house built on
the same model as the others in the town； which Mar？t whispered to me
was that of the king。 Behind it were smaller houses in which lived his
queen and women； good…looking females； who advanced to meet him with
obsequious bows。 To the right and left were two more buildings of
about equal size； one of which was occupied by the royal guard and the
other was the guest…house whither we were conducted。
It proved to be a comfortable dwelling about thirty feet square but
containing only one room； with various huts behind it that served for
cooking and other purposes。 In one of these the three camelmen were
placed。 Immediately on our arrival food was brought to us； a lamb or
kid roasted whole upon a wooden platter； and some green mealie…cobs
boiled upon another platter； also water to drink and wash with in
earthenware jars of sun…dried clay。
I ate heartily； for I was starving。 Then； as it was useless to attempt
precautions against murder； without any talk to my fellow prisoner；
for which we were both too tired； I threw myself down on a mattress
stuffed with corn husks in a corner of the hut； drew a skin rug over
me and； having commended myself to the protection of the Power above；
fell fast asleep。
CHAPTER XII
THE FIRST CURSE
The next thing I remember was feeling upon my face the sunlight that
poured through a window…place which was protected by immovable wooden
bars。 For a while I lay still； reflecting as memory returned to me
upon all the events of the previous day and upon my present unhappy
position。 Here I was a prisoner in the hands of a horde of fierce
savages who had every reason to hate me； for though this was done in
self…defence； had I not killed a number of their people against whom
personally I had no quarrel？ It was true that their king had promised
me safety； but what reliance could be put upon the word of such a man？
Unless something occurred to save me； without doubt my days were
numbered。 In this way or in that I should be murdered； which served me
right for ever entering upon such a business。
The only satisfactory point in the story was that； for the present at
any rate； Ragnall and Savage had escaped； though doubtless sooner or
later fate would overtake them also。 I was sure that they had escaped；
since two of the camelmen with us had informed Mar？t that they saw
them swept away surrounded by our people and quite unharm