Richard Galbraith, Mariner Part 14

Zenuta returning, I informed her of Metilulu's wish. She displayed much concern on hearing it, and finally declared that she felt sure he meant mischief.

"Do you think so, Zenuta?" I said very indifferently, for I could not even trust her with the fact that I was about to escape; for I should have had to add that I must leave her behind, and we never again should meet. Poor girl! But what _could_ I do? "I do _not_ think so," I continued; "he has proved himself so hospitable to me up to this time, that I do not believe he would change. At any rate, he will a.s.suredly listen to my arguments; and finally, Zenuta, you are aware," I added solemnly, pointing upward, "that my faith rests in One above, who has power to save me if He please, had all the chiefs in Caffraria willed my death."

She looked doubtfully and with awe at me, then said, with touching earnestness, "May He, then, save you, Galbrth, if He really can, my beloved!"

Despite my apparent indifference, Zenuta's behaviour naturally made me more certain than ever that to stay till the morrow would be like signing my own death-warrant; therefore, for all Metilulu's peaceful message, I determined to be gone that night.

How long the time appeared before it came. When it did, however, it could not have been more kind to me, for the moon did not rise till late and the night was very dark. So, anxiously waiting alone in my hut, I listened till all grew silent in the kraal, and I felt sure its inmates were wrapped in sleep. Then I glided out, my kaross tied up, the tobacco strung round my shoulders, and my shield and a.s.sagais in my hand. Fearing to quit the place by the usual egress, lest the dogs should create a disturbance and alarm the sleepers, I stealthily skirted my hut till I reached the fence, where, with a strength made great by the imminence of my danger, I forced the poles asunder and squeezed myself through. When I was outside, I gave a long sigh of relief for I felt free, safe, but not quite safe enough. On the contrary, I was very anxious to put as great a distance between the kraal and myself as possible before my absence could be discovered. So quickly I hurried on, keeping a sharp look-out around and breathing many blessings upon the darkness; but I had not gone far when the moon, showing the tip of its broad disc over the hills, east a silver ray of light on the opposite horizon, warning me of its approach, and I glanced keenly on each side for some bushes to conceal my figure from view.

As I did so I came to a most abrupt halt, for among the trees some distance off, where the moonbeams fell, I could swear I saw the dusky forms of Kaffirs gliding in and out about the trunks. A moment's careful inspection proved to me that they did not belong to the tribe I had just left, but were advancing apparently with the extremest caution.

What could it mean? There was but one answer. Some Chief was retaliating upon Metilulu the attack he had not many days ago made upon him. But what was I to do? Make use of the confusion that must ensue to favour my escape! No; I could not do it; for I recalled the kindness I had experienced from these people, and thought of the helpless women, Zenuta above all, and children who lay sleeping, unconscious of the approaching enemy who, in a brief s.p.a.ce, would ma.s.sacre them with the most barbaric cruelty.

My resolve was instantly taken. With the greatest speed I could muster, I swiftly returned to the kraal, entering by the same way I had left.

Then having flung my kaross and tobacco back into the hut, I ran first to the "boys'" huts, they being the nearest, afterwards to the men's, whispering the word of alarm--"The enemy is upon us."

Quickly the whole kraal was astir, and, hastily arming themselves with shields and a.s.sagais, commenced as quietly as possible driving the cattle to the bush, for the first thought of the besieger is to seize the cows, while that of the besieged is to prevent his doing so.

Through the enemy advancing at the back of the kraal, we were able to quit it unperceived with the oxen, women, and children, for the latter also were to take refuge in the bush till the fight was over. We were but just in time, for scarcely had all been safely placed than, ere we could get back, with yells like an army of fiends, the place was surrounded by the enemy, who scaled the fence like a swarm of black beetles, flourishing their weapons, and proving by their behaviour how little mercy the sleeping inmates would have obtained had they been there.

Speedily, however, they discovered that the kraal was empty, and their howls of baffled rage was only excelled by those they uttered when a shower of a.s.sagais from our party showed that they were expected and prepared for. Then for the first time I witnessed a Kaffir method of warfare. Each man crouched behind his shield, or held it so as to protect his head, only glancing out when he cast his weapon with unerring aim at his enemy.

The moon was now fully up, lighting the entire scene, which was both picturesque and animated. The air at first seemed darkened by the flying a.s.sagais, and I, forgetful of the danger I had so lately and perhaps still did run, threw mine with as good a will as any of them.

Many of our men fell; but I soon perceived that our numbers far exceeded the enemy, who no doubt had reckoned on a surprise for success. They began visibly to give way, and shortly after, forming into a compact body, the shields held in front like a wall, as against them the native spears are useless, they commenced a slow retreat, for they had speedily taken to the open field when the fight began. Slowly we followed, casting our spears as they did as we proceeded, when, suddenly, over the fence surrounding the huts, several black forms were seen to leap, and the next moment sharp pointed tongues of flame shot up from numerous parts into the air.

They had fired the kraal!

The yells of rage now came from our party, as frantic for revenge they made a furious charge on the enemy, who fled with all haste to the bush, leaving many wounded behind them, who were pitilessly slaughtered by the infuriated pursuers. But the bush once gained, it became useless to follow further, therefore the order was given to return and collect the cattle, which were becoming restive and ungovernable at the sight of the flames.

To have saved the kraal, I need not say, would have been impossible, constructed as it was of wood and thatch, so, having got the oxen safe, we encamped on the hillside, where--the Kaffirs breathing vows of a terrible vengeance--we sat to watch it burn out; and a fine sight truly it was, forming a grand picture, for the spiral ma.s.ses of flame rushing with a roar upward, lighted for some distance around the strangely grand African scenery, while the broad faced moon, with her attendant stars, shone placidly down from above.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

METILULU EXPRESSES HIS GRAt.i.tUDE--HIS REVENGE--THE LOST FOUND.

Scarcely had morning dawned, than Metilulu, surrounded by his counsellors, coming up, warmly thanked me in words full of the sincerest grat.i.tude for having saved the lives of his tribe, as a.s.suredly, but for my warning, they would all have been ma.s.sacred before the men could have even had time to seize their weapons in defence. The little Chief seemed indeed so vastly pleased that I thought his praises would never cease, and I began to be rather tired of listening, when he suddenly put to me a question, which I had expected he would from the first. This was, "How it happened that I had been so lucky to see the enemy's approach at so late an hour?" Of course, I dared not give the right reason; but, on the contrary, seized the opportunity this occasion offered to improve my position and consequence in Metilulu's eyes by saying,--

"That I had been much concerned respecting the drought, which threatened such great suffering to his people and cattle, particularly after sending the message to him regarding the coming rain. The thought that he would fancy I only intended to deceive him made it impossible for me to sleep; therefore, I had walked outside the huts to note what aspect the moon would possess on rising, feeling sure, if she displayed the slightest mistiness on her disc, that rain could not be far off. It was at the time when so engaged that, happening to glance through an opening in the fence towards the bush, I had become conscious of dark, moving figures in the distance, and, guessing foul play, had immediately given the alarm to the kraal."

Metilulu listened very attentively, as did his counsellors, and, when I had finished, asked with much anxiety,--

"Did you see the moon rise? If so, what was its appearance?"

"It appeared with a slight halo about it," I rejoined.

"We shall have rain, then?" he said interrogatively.

To answer this in the affirmative, I had only to look up to the heavens, without any aid from my previous knowledge of the halo, and I told him that I believed rain would fall very shortly, perhaps even before night.

He smiled with great satisfaction at this, saying, if it proved true, I should be his rain-maker for the future. Then taking his leave, I saw him proceed direct to the prophet and address that withered, sour specimen of humanity.

I learned afterwards, from Tugela, that Metilulu had accused him of wishing to destroy the man who had turned out to be the best friend the tribe had, while he ended by a.s.serting, on the strength of my word alone, that the rain was coming, and very speedily too, though the white man yet lived. The rain-maker, perceiving the champion I had in the Chief, had muttered out something about a mistake; it must have been some one of their own people, whose evil spirit had caused his spells to fail till now. I rather admired that "till now," the conceit was so extremely cool.

Such a flagrant act of imposture as this in our country would have speedily ruined all the prestige of a conjuror, much less a prophet; but there it had not the least effect, and if the rain had not come as I had predicted, no doubt the prophet would have triumphed enormously, and again been set to work to smell out another unfortunate victim, if he had not still persisted--as very likely he might--that the worker of all this evil was myself.

As it was, however, plenteous and refreshing rains fell that day; the rivers again began to flow, and the springs and wells to fill--all of which had an effect wonderful to behold upon the natives. They danced, they shouted, they sang, and fairly embraced each other and their dear cattle, the destruction of their kraal appearing to sink into quite a minor affair. It was far from doing so with Metilulu, a brave little fellow, despite his obesity. Before the day was out, he had called his chief warriors together, to arrange with them how and when to take dire vengeance upon his enemy. Not one of the tribe was loathe to do this; therefore, it was determined that, directly they could erect a kraal sufficiently large to keep the cattle and women in safety, the whole body of Kaffirs, with Metilulu himself at their head, should, leaving only enough behind to protect the women and cows, depart for the enemy's dwellings, upon whom they swore to have a terrible retribution.

Consequently three days after, when an isibaya had been hurriedly constructed for the cattle and huts for the females, children, and those who were to remain as their guards, the war party set out, I among their number, by permission of the chief, who now seemed ready to grant anything I desired--a willingness on his Majesty's part which I hoped soon to put to a great test, by stating my earnest desire to return to my own people and land.

We set forth after sun-down, so as to reach the enemy's quarters in the middle of the night, which we succeeded in doing, for after having marched for nearly four hours, we came abruptly on the kraal, laying, bathed in moonlight, all silent and still just at the foot of a slight incline.

I think it need not be stated that I had no intention to play any part in the affair about to take place, for the men I was with were acting no better than had those who had attacked them, while from experience I knew they could be quite, as cruel. But aware my presence or absence could do neither harm nor good, I had really come hoping thereby to gain still further Metilulu's friendship, so that perhaps he might the more readily grant my request to be pa.s.sed on to a white settlement.

Falling back, therefore, to the rear as the Kaffirs advanced, I manoeuvred to remain in the shadow of the bush while they went on. In the kraal before me there was, unfortunately, no wakeful eye to warn the sleepers of their danger, and the Kaffirs, approaching silently with the stealthy tread of a cat, had even scaled the fences before a sound was heard. Then the dogs began to bark and the cows to low, for in Caffraria cattle can at times be made to serve in place of the watchful canine animals themselves; but, before their masters could be aroused by the warning, they were startled into consciousness of their peril by their huts being pierced by the a.s.sagais of the enemy, whose loud yells of triumph rang awfully through the still air.

A terrible scene ensued--warriors who had had only time to seize their weapons issued forth but to be slaughtered, while women and children mostly shared the same fate. Some of the fragile huts were crushed down altogether--the inmates under them--into which heaps the enemy frequently thrust their spears to destroy the miserable beings beneath.

I waited impatiently for an end to this frightful scene of bloodshed, and each moment expected to see the cattle drawn out to a place of safety and the kraal set on fire as ours had been; but there appeared no signs of this. Owing to the unfairness of the fight, it speedily began to subside; yet the cattle remained in the isibaya. Had the enemy been exterminated, or had they yielded?

I waited yet a little longer, then became certain one or other was the case, for the fight seemed over, while Metilulu's regiment were already forming into order. Consequently, thinking it as well now to join them, I hastened from the bush and entered the kraal. It presented a horrible sight to one who, like myself, was unused to bloodshed and battlefields, though no doubt it was not so ghastly as that presented by one of our civilised engagements; for here were no shattered limbs, no torn gaping wounds, no headless trunks, and bodies rent in twain by cannon shot.

The a.s.sagai, or, occasionally, the k.n.o.b-kerrie, had alone been used; and strewn over the ground were the dead forms of the Kaffirs, the spears which had caused their deaths yet remaining buried deep up the shaft in the victims, the victors not having had time to collect them. In some parts, where the fight had been the thickest, they laid in heaps; yet, with but few exceptions, the positions of all retained a look of graceful, easy repose. Notwithstanding, to me, it was a sickening sight to behold so many who, but an hour before, had been full of healthful life, now lying there extended on the plain--dead.

On going a little further I perceived Metilulu standing in the isibaya, inspecting the numbering the cattle by some of his men, while others were forming the survivors into their proper regiments, to discover which of the tribe had fallen. Having no wish to join either I strolled on, wondering in my own mind as to what they intended to do with the slain, for to leave them where they were under the tropical sun of day would soon render the spot unbearable and detrimental to the existence of the survivors.

Just at this moment I chanced to come across Tugela, bearing a message from Metilulu to one of his warriors, and, as I was going his way, I asked him with some curiosity, "How the fight had terminated."

"All those who had not been slain," he said, "had finally yielded and consented to submit to Metilulu, accepting him for their chief.

Therefore, as the kraal was ready for immediate occupation, and stood in a much better situation regarding vegetation and water than his, the little Chief had issued orders for all the huts to be taken care of, as he intended at once to make the place his own abode, while the vanquished were to build themselves a kraal a little distance off."

"But what will you do with these heaps of slain?" I asked. "If they remain here long the air will be full of pestilential vapours."

"Those who like to bury their friends have permission to do so,"

rejoined Tugela, "The others will be dragged far into the bush for the wild beasts to devour, or thrown into the rivers for the crocodiles. We never bury them as you English do."

Saying which he hurried on with his message; and, even as he went, I perceived numerous parties of "boys" removing the fallen men for the purpose Tugela had stated. Whether they ascertained if all they took were really dead, particularly when the bodies were those of the enemy, I cannot tell, but I rather think not.

On being once more alone I continued my walk, and had the satisfaction of relieving from under the debris of a fallen hut a poor woman with an a.s.sagai wound in her side, who immediately, with much chattering, scurried off to the bush, clasping a baby in her arms, and leaving me no time to tell her that she would be quite safe if she liked to remain at the kraal.

It was soon after this that I came to a second demolished dwelling, from whence I fancied there issued murmuring sounds of life. Thinking I might be so fortunate as to rescue another unfortunate being, I listened attentively, and speedily, by the slight upheaving of the rubbish, was convinced some person was beneath--whereupon I set to work as fast as I could to clear away the heap so as to make an opening, all the while a.s.suring those inside that there was no cause for fear, the fight was over, and peace concluded. I had nearly effected my purpose, when suddenly a grizzled head was thrust up into the moonlight--the ruined hut looking something like a hencoop fastened about the neck. After glancing quickly round, the possessor of the head exclaimed, to my utter amazement, "Well, jib-booms and top-sails, but this is a queer scene, this is."

I reeled back mute with astonishment at the words, which recalled to me the apparition's attention, and he continued--

"Well, you black n.i.g.g.e.r, how long are you going to stand there? Why don't you help a fellow out, instead of jabbering your confounded lingo, which I don't understand a word of, though I've heerd nothin' but it for nigh a year, and what's more, I _won't_ understand it if I stay another; for it's the devil's own tongue itself, that it are."

By this time I had recovered myself, and, dashing forward, tore away the remains of the ruins; then, as the other started up, I threw myself on his neck overcome with emotion.

"Now, I say, you n.i.g.g.e.r, what are you up to?" he exclaimed.