"
"Well," said the German, "this is the case. Last evening I count the sheep
at the kraal--twenty are missing. I ask the herd; he tells me they are
with the other flock; he tells me so distinctly; how can I think he lies?
This afternoon I count the other flock. The sheep are not there. I come
back here: the herd is gone; the sheep are gone. But I cannot--no, I will
not--believe he stole them," said the German, growing suddenly excited.
"Some one else, but not he. I know that boy. I knew him three years. He
is a good boy. I have seen him deeply affected on account of his soul.
And she would send the police after him! I say I would rather make the
loss good myself. I will not have it; he has fled in fear. I know his
heart. It was," said the German, with a little gentle hesitation, "under
my words that he first felt his need of a Saviour."
Bonaparte cracked some more almonds, then said, yawning, and more as though
he asked for the sake of having something to converse about than from any
interest he felt in the subject:
"And what has become of the herd's wife?"
The German was alight again in a moment.
"Yes; his wife. She has a child six days old, and Tant Sannie would turn
her out into the fields this night. That," said the German rising, "that
is what I call cruelty--diabolical cruelty.
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