it,
in case of emergency, were half-a-dozen rounds of grape-shot and powder.

"Lots of ammunition, if we should want to use it," said Leonard. "It
never occurred to those gentlemen that a gun can shoot two ways. And
now, Otter, lead us to the slaves, quick."

"This way, Baas, but first we must find the tools; they are in the
guard-hut, I suppose."

So they crept back to the hut, holding their heads as low as possible,
for the light was increasing, although the moon was not yet up, and they
feared lest they should be seen against the sky-line. Here they found
boxes containing nippers, chisels, and other instruments such as are
used to undo the irons upon slaves. Also they found the keys of the
padlocks that locked the iron bars to which the captives were tethered.
Taking a lantern with them, but leaving another burning as before in the
hut, lest its absence should excite suspicion, they passed through two
strong gates and down the steps on the further side of the embankment. A
few paces beyond stood the first slave-shed, a rough erection supported
on posts, but without sides.

They entered the shed, Otter leading the way with the lantern. In the
middle of it was a path, and on either side of this path ran the long
bars to which the captives were fastened in a double row. Perhaps there
might have been two hundred and fifty of them in this shed. Here the
sights and scenes were such as need not be described. Of the miserable
captives some lay on the wet ground, men and women together, trying to
forget their sorrows in sleep; but the most part of them were awake, and
the sound of moans ran up and down their lines like the moaning of trees
in the wind.

When they saw the light the slaves ceased moaning, and crouched upon the
ground like dogs that await the whip, for they thought that this was
a visit from their captors. Some of them, indeed, stretched out their
manacled hands imploring pity, but these were the exceptions; the most
of them had abandoned hope and were sunk in dull despair. It was pitiful
to see the glance of their terror-filled eyes and the answering quiver
of their wealed frames whenever an arm was lifted or a sudden movement
made.

Soa went down the line, rapidly examining the faces of the slaves.

"Do you see any of Mavoom's people?" asked Leonard anxiously.

"Not here, White Man; let us go to the next shed, unless you want to
loose these."

"No good in that, mother," said Otter; "they would only