In reply to
some further question the negro launched into a detailed narrative,
to which Durnovo listened eagerly.
"He says," said the latter to Oscard, "that the Plateau is in
possession of the Masais. It was taken two months ago. The blacks
were sold as slaves; the two Englishmen were tortured to death and
their bodies burnt."
Oscard never moved a muscle.
"Ask him if he is quite sure about it."
"Quite," replied Durnovo, after questioning. "By God! Oscard; what
a pity! But I always knew it. I knew it was quite hopeless from
the first."
He passed his brown hand nervously over his face, where the
perspiration stood in beads.
"Yes," said Oscard slowly; "but I think we will go on all the same."
"What!" cried Durnovo. "Go on?"
"Yes," replied Guy Oscard; "we will go on, and if I find you trying
to desert I'll shoot you down like a rat."
CHAPTER XXVI. IN PERIL
He made no sign; the fires of Hell were round him,
The Pit of Hell below.
"About as bad as they can be, sir. That's how things is." Joseph
set down his master's breakfast on the rough table that stood in
front of his tent and looked at Jack Meredith.
Meredith had a way of performing most of his toilet outside his
tent, and while Joseph made his discouraging report he was engaged
in buttoning his waistcoat.
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