Part 14 (1/2)

Supper, that evening, was not a particularly convivial institution; in fact, the conversation was mainly sustained by Warren Even the two small boys were instinctively subdued

”By Jove, I believe we are going to have a storot up ”We'd better saddle up and _trek_ before it coht just escape it,” said Le Sage, with alacrity ”I'll go and see about getting the horses up”

The sun was setting in gloomy, lurid fire behind an opaque curtain of inky cloud, as they went forth into the open air; which said air was strangely still and boding and oppressive, though now and again a fitful puff would bring dull distant rus of thunder Wyvern went round with his uncordial host to the stables, while the others remained on the _stoep_ to watch it

”I don't see in the face of this,” said Warren ”It's coet it thick about half way”

”Then don't start,” said Lalante decisively ”We can easily put you up

Ah--look!”

A succession of vivid flashes lit up the gloomy murk in the distance, followed i roar

”I believe you're right,” said Warren, ht for us, too”

”One thing is certain,” pronounced Lalante, not even trying to suppress the jubilant ring in her voice, ”and that is that you two can't possibly go: back to-night It isn't safe Look how the storht across your road too No, you can't Now, can you, Mr Warren?”

”I'h, ”and he, I suspect, is in yours”

”Very well That settles it Co up the horses, for you're both going to stop the night I'--for other people”

The livid, inky cloud was slowly and surely advancing, and as she had said, it was right across the road back to Seven Kloofs As the tent forth a distant but heavy boom rolled dully to their ears

”For other people?” repeated Warren significantly ”And for yourself?

You are never afraid?”

”No, I don't believe I am”

Warren looked at her aruising the norance of those two portraits which he cherished in secret

”Here, father,” she called out, as they reached the place where Le Sage and Wyvern were standing, ”call those boys back The horses won't be wanted till to-ht across the way too”

”By Jove, so there is,” said Le Sage ”Hope it means real rain, that's all You two 'll have to shake down here to-night”

The swift glance exchanged between Wyvern and Lalante did not escape Warren To those two the coht reprieve Only of a few hours it was true, but--still a reprieve Their real farewell had been ed strea up A blinding gleah the world itself were cleft in twain, and, ever growing louder as it drew nearer, a confused raving roar

”Hail, by Jove!” pronounced Le Sage ”That's a nuisance because it sters, Lalante?”

”Indoors”

”And that's where we'd better get, and pretty soon,” pronounced Wyvern

But before they got there a hard and splitting ih they were being pelted with stones; and indeed they were, for the great white ice-globes ca tidal wave the hty hailstor the bellowing of the thunder