But Dick Sand soon had reason to think that the convoy would soon reach its destination.  Though he did not understand the language employed by the chiefs of the caravan, sometimes Arab, sometimes the African idiom, he remarked that the name of an important market of that region was often pronounced.  It was the name Kazounde, and he knew that a very great trade in slaves was carried on there.  He was then naturally led to believe that there the fate of the prisoners would be decided, whether for the profit of the king of that district or for the benefit of some rich trader of the country.  We know that he was not mistaken.

Now, Dick Sand, being posted in the facts of modern geography, knew very exactly what is known of Kazounde.  The distance from Saint Paul de Loanda to this city does not exceed four hundred miles, and consequently two hundred and fifty miles, at the most, separates it from the camp established on the Coanza.  Dick Sand made his calculation approximately, taking the distance traveled by the little troop under Harris’s lead as the base.  Now, under ordinary circumstances, this journey would only require from ten to twelve days.  Doubling that time for the needs of a caravan already exhausted by a long route, Dick Sand might estimate the length of the journey from the Coanza to Kazounde at three weeks.

Dick Sand wished very much to impart what he believed he knew to Tom and his companions.  It would be a kind of consolation for them to be assured that they were not being led to the center of Africa, into those fatal countries which they could not hope to leave.  Now, a few words uttered in passing would be sufficient to enlighten them.  Would he succeed in saying those words?

Tom and Bat—­chance had reunited the father and son—­Acteon and Austin, forked two by two, were at the right extremity of the camp.  An overseer and a dozen soldiers watched them.

Dick Sand, free in his movements, resolved to gradually diminish the distance that separated him from his companions to fifty steps.  He then commenced to maneuver to that end.

Very likely old Tom divined Dick Sand’s thought.  A word, pronounced in a low voice, warned his companions to be attentive.  They did not stir, but they kept themselves ready to see, as well as to hear.

Soon, with an indifferent air, Dick Sand had gained fifty steps more.  From the place where he then was, he could have called out, in such a manner as to be heard, that name Kazounde, and tell them what the probable length of the journey would be.  But to complete his instructions, and confer with them on their conduct during the journey, would be still better.  He then continued to draw nearer to them.  Already his heart was beating with hope; he was only a few steps from the desired end, when the overseer, as if he had suddenly penetrated his intention, rushed on him.  At the cries of that enraged person, ten soldiers ran to the spot, and Dick Sand was brutally led back to the rear, while Tom and his companions were taken to the other extremity of the camp.