Then, having called Henri Marais apart and talked to him for a little while, he replied: "No, not now, I think; the matter is too serious.

After we have eaten we will listen to your story, Mynheer Quatermain, and meanwhile I command you not to leave this place." "Do you mean that I am a prisoner, commandant ?" I asked.
"If you put it so--yes, Mynheer Quatermain--a prisoner who has to explain how some sixty of our brothers, who were your companions, came to be butchered like beasts in Zululand, while you escaped.

Now, no more words; by and by doubtless there will be plenty of them.

Here you, Carolus and Johannes, keep watch upon this Englishman, of whom I hear strange stories, with your guns loaded, please, and when we send to you, lead him before us." "As usual, your cousin Hernan brings evil gifts," I said to Marie bitterly.

"Well, let us also eat our dinner, which perhaps the Heeren Carolus and Johannes will do us the honour to share--bringing their loaded guns with them." Carolus and Johannes accepted the invitation, and from them we heard much news, all of it terrible enough to learn, especially the details of the massacre in that district, which, because of this fearful event is now and always will be known as Weenen, or The Place of Weeping.