e wide, free ocean.

For some minutes the Kafirs stood, talking, laughing like children as
they gazed upon the long, low form of the distant steamship, concerning
which many of their quaint remarks and conjectures would have been
amusing enough at any other time. And, as if anything was wanting to
keep him alive to the peril of his position, Hlangani, stepping to the
prisoner's side, observed:

"The time has come to blind you, Ixeshane."

The words were grim enough in all conscience--frightful enough to more
than justify the start which Eustace could not repress, as he turned to
the speaker. But a glance was enough to reassure him. The chief
advanced toward him, holding nothing more formidable than a folded
handkerchief.

To the ordeal of being blindfolded Eustace submitted without a word. He
recognised its force. They were nearing their destination. Even a
captive, probably foredoomed to death, was not to be allowed to take
mental notes of the approaches to the present retreat of the Paramount
Chief. Besides, by insuring such ignorance, they would render any
chance of his possible escape the more futile. But as he walked,
steered by one of his escort, who kept a hand on his shoulder, he
concentrated every faculty, short of the sight of which he was
temporarily deprived, upon observations relating to the lay of the
ground. One thing he knew. Wherever they might be they were at no
great distance from the sea coast. That was something.

Suddenly a diversion occurred. A long, loud, peculiar cry sounded from
some distance in front. It was a signal. As it was answered by the
returning warriors, once more the wild war-song was raised, and being
taken up all along the line, the forest echoed with the thunderous roar
of the savage strophe, and the clash of weapons beating time to the
weird and thrilling chant. For some minutes thus they marched; then by
the sound Eustace knew that his escort was forming up in martial array
around him; knew moreover, from this circumstance, that the forest had
come to an end. Then the bandage was suddenly removed from his eyes.

The abrupt transition from darkness to light was bewildering. But he
made out that he was standing in front of a hut, which his captors were
ordering him to enter. In the momentary glance which he could obtain he
saw that other huts were standing around, and beyond the crowd of armed
men which encompassed him he could descry the faces of women and