ho helped in the capture and who now formed
the escort had even hearts of stone they would have pitied their
prisoner. The very fact that he had made a very gallant and determined
fight for freedom would have aroused their enthusiasm and respect. But
these men of Kumasi had long since had all such feelings driven from
their breasts. The constant succession of cruelties of the most
frightful nature perpetrated at Kumasi had hardened them to all human
feeling and misery. They had, every one of them, from the time when
they were mere children, been daily witnesses of executions, of
unmeaning and ferocious tortures, and of endless bloodshed. Mercy they
had never encountered. There was but one punishment for prisoners and
evil-doers alike, for the thief, the murderer, and those whose cruel
fate had caused them to be born in slavery. The executioners stretched
out their greedy and remorseless hands for all, and who could say when
their turn would come? Was it remarkable, therefore, that these men
marched on before and behind their prisoner, belabouring him when his
steps flagged, and shouting oaths at him? And so, in this sorry plight,
his feet tingling still, while his hands felt as if the skin would
burst, so tight were the lashings, Dick was hurried on through the dark
and sombre forest out to the clearing and to the site where had stood
the mine stockade. There, as the procession halted, he threw himself on
the ground in an exhausted condition, wishing almost that he might die.
His thirst was now unbearable, while his head throbbed and ached from
the blow he had received. No wonder, too, if he were apathetic, if his
fate were now a matter of little concern to him; for his present
miseries overshadowed all else.

"Give him some water, and put him in the shade," ordered the half-caste.
"Two of you stand over him with your guns, and if he moves thrash him
with the vine. We will teach him how to behave while he is in our
hands."

He glared at his prisoner, who took not the slightest notice of him.
But as soon as the water was brought Dick drank it greedily, for he was
parched. Then he lay down, his hands still secured behind his back, and
very soon, utterly wearied by his night's work, and by his struggle with
the enemy, he fell fast asleep, enjoying a dreamless rest which was of
the greatest service to him.

What would have been the feelings of those gallant souls away down the
river had they known of the tre