278 



THE CAPTIVE AND HIS CAPTORS. 



have been beyond his power, but for the removal of the harrowing suspicion that 

 had almost caused him to faint a brief while before. 



The ever-present thought with him was as to the probable outcome of all this. 

 What did these frightful-looking natives intend to do with him ? Would they per- 

 sist in keeping him prisoner ? Would they take him far away to their homes, or, 

 knowing he belonged to a detested race, would they put him to death ? If he was 

 retained in their custody for some days, would Jack Harvey and his comrades in 

 camp be able to do anything for his liberation ? Was it not possible that they would 

 consent to his departure, and, if not, could he effect his own escape in the darkness? 



These and similar questions filled his mind as he sat down on the ground in 

 the midst of his captors, very much after the manner a friendly visitor would havf 

 assumed who had called to pay his respects to the natives. 



CAPTIVE AND CAPTORS. 



At the end of an hour, Dick decided to settle the question whether they meant 

 to hold him in custody. Rising to his feet, he made a low salaam, and, without 

 asking for his weapons or the cloth, turned about to walk away. 



Whatever hope he had in that direction was dissipated on the instant, by half 

 the warriors leaping to their feet and brandishing their assagais, or javelins, uttering 

 excited words, with such an expression of ferocity that he resumed his seat with 

 more haste than dignity. 



It was not the mere failure of the attempt that gave Dick Brownell cause for 

 disquietude. He had shown his captors his eagerness to part company with* them, 

 and they were certain to guard him more closely than ever. 



