More from
curiosity than for any other reason I consented and accompanied by
Bausi, Babemba and many of the Mazitu, all of us, except Brother John,
who remained behind to attend to the wounded, climbed over the debris
of the south gate and walked through the black ruins of the huts,
across the market-place that was strewn with dead, to what had been
our own quarters.
These were a melancholy sight, a mere heap of sodden and still smoking
ashes. I could have wept when I looked at them, thinking of all the
trade goods and stores that were consumed beneath, necessities for the
most part, the destruction of which must make our return journey one
of great hardship.
Well, there was nothing to be said or done, so after a few minutes of
contemplation we turned to continue our walk through what had been the
royal quarters to the north gate. Hans, who, I noted, had been
ferreting about in his furtive way as though he were looking for
something, and I were the last to leave. Suddenly he laid his hand
upon my arm and said:
"Baas, listen! I hear a ghost.
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