but seemed more inclined to take prisoners than to kill.
The chief whom Hans had seen at first, came up to the Zulus, and
commenced feeling their arms and bodies, as a purchaser pinches cattle.
At first a feeling of alarm came across Hans, as he fancied he had
fallen among a party of cannibals, who captured men to eat at their
great feasts; but this he could not reconcile with the half-civilised
look of the men, and their having guns. Only one other explanation
seemed probable, however, and when this occurred to him, Hans was
surprised he had not thought of it before. Rumours had often been heard
amongst the old colonists that up the East Coast the white men used to
persuade the natives sometimes to go on board ship, and then to make
them prisoners, and sell them in distant lands for slaves. Hans now
thought that he and the Zulus could be captured for no other reason, and
this idea was little less satisfactory than was that of being eaten by
cannibals. That a Kaffir could be thus captured and sold, Hans did not
doubt; but it seemed to him impossible that a white man could be thus
treated, and he therefore hoped that, as soon as he reached the
head-quarters of wherever he might be going, he would be liberated.

For four days the party marched on through a country in which there
seemed no inhabitants. Game was shot occasionally, and the Zulus, as
well as Hans, were well fed, this convincing Hans that he and they were
destined to be sold for slaves, as a fat, plump, healthy-looking slave
would always fetch more than one who was thinner or weakly-looking. At
the end of the fourth day Hans saw the sea, distant only a few miles,
and near the sea he saw, as he advanced, several huts built two stories
high, and indicating much more architectural skill than the kraals of
the Zulus.

Several men, women, and children came out from these huts to welcome the
return of the expedition, which had evidently been out slave-hunting.
They all looked at Hans with great interest, but took not the slightest
notice of his remonstrances or earnest appeals for liberty. He was
taken with the Zulus to a large hut, in which there were benches and
large wooden rails. To these were attached chains and fastenings for
the hands and legs. The men were evidently accustomed to the work of
securing prisoners, and fastened Hans and the Zulus in a very few
minutes, shortly afterwards bringing them some boiled rice and milk;
then locking them in, l