CAPTURED BY AFRICAN SAVAGES 269 



thought himself in no great danger and perhaps 

 cause them to relax their vigilance. 



There was small hope of escape from the 

 hut in which he spent the nights. His guards 

 bound his hands and feet and, moreover, kept 

 watch with his guns outside. On the third 

 morning they freed only his legs. After that 

 they tied a bark rope ten feet long round his 

 neck and led him outside before a throng of 

 shouting men, women, and children. He thought 

 that the death sentence had been pronounced 

 and that the crowd had gathered to witness 

 his execution. 



The guards led him through the shouting, 

 jeering throng, out of the village, and down a 

 trail. After a time the people who had fol- 

 lowed began to turn back. Barrett knew then 

 that, for the present at least, no harm was com- 

 ing to him; for if he were to be killed the vil- 

 lagers would certainly wish to be present. 



All that day Barrett and his guards travelled 

 northward. They stopped for the midday meal 

 at one village and at nightfall reached another 

 one. There Barrett's guards turned him over 

 to new guards, who took the rifles and watched 

 the hut in which he lay bound. For two more 



