Often since then I have wondered
what became of them. Doubtless some perished, and the rest worked
their way back to their homes or found new ones among other tribes.
The experiences of those who escaped must be interesting to them if
they still live. I can well imagine the legends in which these will be
embodied two or three generations hence.
Deducting the slave people and the bearers whom we had wrung out of
Hassan, we were now a party of seventeen, namely eleven Zulu hunters
including Mavovo, two white men, Hans and Sammy, and the two Mazitus
who had elected to remain with us, while round us was a great circle
of savages which closed in slowly.
As the light grew--it was long in coming on that dull morning--and the
mist lifted, I examined these people, without seeming to take any
particular notice of them. They were tall, much taller than the
average Zulu, and slighter in their build, also lighter in colour.
Like the Zulus they carried large hide shields and one very broad-
bladed spear. Throwing assegais seemed to be wanting, but in place of
them I saw that they were armed with short bows, which, together with
a quiver of arrows, were slung upon their backs.
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