tercede in their behalf! This
was but his duty.

Willem strove to make him understand that he was recognised, hoping the
knowledge of that would stimulate him to exert himself on their behalf.
The attempt wholly failed. With a scornful expression upon his
features, the man moved away.

"That's Sindo," muttered Willem to his fellow-prisoners. "He appears at
home among them. Will he not assist us?"

"Yaas, that is Sindo," said Congo, "but he no help you."

"Why do you think so, Cong?"

"He no big enough fool do dat."

This might be true. Sindo had once got into trouble through treason,
and had narrowly escaped death. He would be a fool to incur such a
danger again, in the new home he had found for himself.

This was the construction Groot Willem was inclined to put on the
African's conduct. Sindo was acting ungratefully. He had not shown the
slightest sympathy for those who had befriended him in his hour of
adversity. On the contrary, he had cut their acquaintance in the most
unceremonious manner.

All night long they lay in their thongs. Morning came and still they
were not set free.

"What does this treatment mean?" asked Hendrik. "What do they intend
doing with us?"

"I am beginning to have fears that Congo is right," answered Willem.
"They do mean harm. They have robbed and kept us tied up all night.
Those acts look suspicious."

"But dare they deprive us of life?" asked the ex-cornet. "We are white
men, and of a race who avenge each other's wrongs. Will they not be
afraid of the consequences of proceeding to extremities?"

"So I once would have thought," replied Willem, "but from the way we are
now treated, I believe they fear nothing."

"I tell you, baas Willem," joined in Congo, "the chief here got too much
fear."

"Indeed! He has a peculiar way of showing it."

"I mean, he's 'fraid to let us go. We'll have to die, baas Willem."

The Kaffir uttered these words with a resigned expression of
countenance, that proclaimed him inspired by a firm conviction of their
truth.

"Must this be, Hendrik?" said Willem, turning to his companion. "It
hardly seems possible. Tell me, am I dreaming?"

"I can answer for myself," replied Hendrik, "for I was never more awake.
The rheims around my wrists are nearly cutting off my hands. I shall
die if I have to remain tied up much longer. But dare these people put
us to death?"

For a time, the captives remained silent. They were reflecting