388 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
began to think that the climax of awkward experiences 
had been attained. We are but creatures of a moment 
in action and in life, so that we are often impelled to 
meditate upon the past and compare it with the present. 
This seemed the worst of all the vicissitudes which had 
yet disturbed me. 
The doubt as to what was going to happen was as bad 
as staring, pale death in the face. What would the king- 
do with me ? There was but one thing, should he 
suspect me of being a spy. I soon resigned myself to 
fate. Oh, if I could only speak to the people ! 
Disturbed nights were passed, and in the daytime I 
had many moments of terrible suspense. One night as 
I sat in that wild place my thoughts wandered to John, 
to Taroman and the few “ faithfuls ” who had left me 
many, many miles to the south. Had they ever arrived at 
the “ New Valhalla,” at Buluwayo, to tell my old friends 
where and how I had been deserted ? How strong was 
the yearning to know what had happened ! It was now 
long since I had bidden adieu to my old followers. 
During this reverie I had been oblivious to surround- 
ing noises of passers-by. All at once, however, I was 
startled by a piercing shriek as of some one in dire 
distress, the cry being instantaneously followed by the 
sharp report of a gun in close proximity. Springing to 
my feet I was outside the small enclosure in a moment. 
Not a soul was to be seen, not a sound heard ; the place 
was as silent as the tomb. 
Much impressed by this mystery, and cogitating upon 
its possible meaning, I returned to the hut, and, closing 
the small grass-thatched door, lay down to try and sleep 
away the uneasy night. The effort was useless, for 
in a little time arose the noise of many disputing 
voices, while the people in crowds surged past the hut 
talking as though their lives depended upon their words. 
I wondered if all the hubbub was about me, and if so 
what might be the next move. Attributing the whole 
uproar to the influence of their accursed beer, I once more 
rolled over in the endeavour to forget myself and the 
world. 
