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396 DICK SANDS, THE BOY CAPTAIN. 4t. CHAPTER XIII. IN CAPTIVITY. So far from Mrs. Weldon and Jack having succumbed to the hardships to which they bad been exposed, they were both alive, and together with Cousin Benedict were now in Kazonndé. Ailter the assault upon the ant-hill they had ail three been conveyed beyond the encampment to a spot where a rude palanquin was in readiness for Mrs. Weldon and her son. The journey hcnce to Kazonndé was conse- quently accomplished without much difficulty; Cousin Benedict, who performed it on foot, was allowed to entomo- logize as much as he plcased upon the road, so that to hîm the distance was a matter of no concern. The party reached thcir destination a week sooner than Ibn Hamish's caravan, and the prisoners were lodged in Alvez' quarters* Jack was much better. After leaving the marshy dis- tricts he had no return of fever, and as a certain amount of indulgence had been allowed them on their journey, both he and his mothcr, as far as their health was concemed, might be said to be in a satisfactory condition. Of the rest of her former companions Mrs. Weldon could hear nothing. She had herself been a witness of the escape of Hercules, but of course knew nothing further of his fate ; as for Dick Sands, she entertained a sanguine hope that his white skin would protect him from any severe treat- ment ; but for Nan and the other poor negroes, hère upon African soil, she feared the very worst Being entirely shut off from communication with the outer world, she was quite unaware of the arrivai of the