I
spent five days on the bank of the river trying to find it--couldn't. Paid
a Kaffer nine pounds to go in and look for it at the risk of his life--
couldn't find it."
The German would have translated this information, but the Boer-woman gave
no ear.
"No, no; he goes tonight. See how he looks at me--a poor unprotected
female! If he wrongs me, who is to do me right?" cried Tant Sannie.
"I think," said the German in an undertone, if you didn't look at her quite
so much it might be advisable. She--ah--she--might--imagine that you liked
her too well,--in fact--ah--"
"Certainly, my dear friend, certainly," said the stranger. "I shall not
look at her."
Saying this, he turned his nose full upon a small Kaffer of two years old.
That small naked son of Ham became instantly so terrified that he fled to
his mother's blanket for protection, howling horribly.
Upon this the newcomer fixed his eyes pensively on the stamp-block, folding
his hands on the head of his cane. His boots were broken, but he still had
the cane of a gentleman.
"You vagabonds se Engelschman!" said Tant Sannie, looking straight at him.
This was a near approach to plain English; but the man contemplated the
block abstractedly, wholly unconscious that any antagonism was being
displayed toward him.
"You might not be a Scotchman or anything of that kind, might you?"
suggested the German.
Pages:
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48