The People of the Mist

. But Otter did not venture to guide them to this point, for there they should be seen by the sentries, and, notwithstanding their masquerade dress, awkward questions might be asked whi

ed near the water's edge, almost opposite to the south-west angle o

ed and I have brought you straight. Yonder is the house of the Yellow

Africa? How was it possible even that they could obtain access to it? Viewed from far off, the thing had seemed small-to be done somehow. But now! And yet they must do something, or all t

e a long way on this business, and I am not going to turn my back to it now. I have never yet turn

at we made a plan, for the night draws on. Now, Baas, here is a thick tr

hs. All the camp lay beneath them like a map, and Otter, clinging monkey-wise to a branch, pointed

king and talking, some were gambling, others were going on their business. One group-captains, to judge from the richness of their attire-were standing round the arms-house and peeping through a grating in the wall, which they reach

at the maid who is called the Shepherdess. She is locked up there

ce. Presently a drum was beaten, and men appea

aves," said Otter again. "See,

ment to let down the drawbridge. He obeyed and they crossed. Each man with a bucket was followed by another who bore a wooden spoon, while a third behind them carried water in a large gourd. Having come to the first of the open sheds, they began their round

and the officers gathered to

s sick," s

hippopotamus-hide whip began to strike at a dar

sed the fetters on the limbs of the poor creature-apparently a woman-thus freeing her from the long iron bar. This done, some of the officers sauntering after

vil buries his dead and cu

began to descend the tree hastily, an exam

mps are strong, and, after all, better the belly of a fish than the hold of a slave dhow. Wow! who do these things? Is i

to discuss the blessings of civilisation as they have often been put in

and gazing into the gathering gloom with his hawk-like eyes. Thus he had sat beside his

o please you; now give us the benefit of your suggestions

them kill their masters,

ot much pluck in sl

n there," she replied, "and they will

ed at Otter, seek

and the sea wind rises and will blow hard before midnight. Moreover all these houses are thatched, and in a wind fire jumps. But can a regiment have

entrance to the Nest while it is still dark, before the moon rises. I know the watchword, 'Devil,' and dis

r, "but how about

bush; she could be of no help i

e you go I go also; moreover my mist

and gain the slave camp. Then we must try to free some of the slaves and send them round through the garden into the morass to fire the reeds, should the wind blow strong enough. Meanwhile I propose to walk boldly into the camp, salute Pereira, pass myself off as a slaver with a dhow at the m

l need all our strength to-night. Then we will g

haps because of the associations of the place, which, for him, were painful, perhaps because of the magnitude of their undertaking. Never had he known such a tale, never had he seen such an adventure as this-that two men and

improve their spirits; also, as Otter had predicted, the wind was r

ssed till it w

e," said Leonard; "there will soon be

the water-gate. Here was a place where boats and canoes were tied, both for convenience in crossing the canal to and from the camp

rose other sounds, the voice of groaning broken by an occasional wail wrung out of the mi

start," said Leonard; "there is a

the splash of oars, and a boat crept past them a

llenge of the sentry in Portug

ce. "The very best of friends goes here. An honest trader called Xavier

s a man to see in the dark, big as you are? W

rsed boat and I will tell you. You know

day to-morrow loading up the blackbirds. One is in by the way-a small one from Madagascar. The captain is a stranger, a big Frenchman named Pierre, or he may be an Englishman for anything I know.

ask because, if so, I

if he could. But how is the English girl?

een bought, the priest Francisco is to marry her to the lucky man, there and then. The old fellow i

ter? We have a good law of divorce in these parts, friend. I am going in for that girl;

sum, senor, but you are rich. Not like us poor

isions out of her, Leonard could not see which. Then Xavier and the sentry went up

and, understand, you are my servant; as for Soa, she is the guide, or interpreter, or anyone you like. We must pass the gates, but

ight forget something in the canoe, and the sentry might help me to find it af

silent you must be. A

and Otter took the paddle. First he let her float gently down stream and under cover

current for a language on this coast. "You will have us into the bank, I tell you. Curse this wind and the darkness! Steady n

rattled and the voice of

ne who is a stranger and would pay his respects to your

me?" asked the g

e dwarf my servant, and as for the old wo

e sentry; "none come in

r say it was in his letter? 'Fiend!'

o you ha

y are in some demand just now. Come, let us in; we

the door, and stopped,

he said; "you speak Portugu

English lord and a French creole, born in the Mauritius at your service, an

eonard swaggered up the steps followed by the other two. Already they

en to bring up the keg of brandy, my little pr

man and the keg is heavy for me alone-if you will

on addressing the sentry, "if you wish to earn a little present and a drink, perhaps you will give

e man briskly, and led

his hand upon the hilt of the Arab sabre which he wore, while Leonard and Soa waited above. Th

don't see it," said

nswered Otter; "it is in the ste

of a blow and a heavy splash. They hearkened on, but nothing more was to be heard

hem. In the dim light Leonard could see that

, silent is the man for ever," whispered