Part 33 (1/2)

Claverton laughed quietly.

”No such severe measures would have been necessary. If I had promised his chieftains.h.i.+p a gla.s.s of grog and an old hat, he would have come trundling up here with an alacrity that would surprise you.”

”Really? That quite takes away from the poetry of the idea. I thought these savage chiefs were very proud.”

”They are proud enough just as far as it suits them to be so--inasmuch as they affect to look upon us as dust beneath their feet; but they will condescend to accept anything we may think proper to give them, whether it be a 'tickey' (threepence) or a pair of old boots. In fact Jack Kafir, of whatever degree, has the b.u.mp of acquisitiveness very highly developed, I a.s.sure you. Hullo! who's this?”

For the door opened and a Dutchman entered--the same who witnessed poor Allen's immersion at the taking out of the bees' nest. A good-humoured grin was on his stolid countenance, which looked suggestively warm, and perhaps not too clean, and his beady black eyes sparkled at the prospect of a good feed. His corduroy trousers were tucked into a pair of top boots, and a _sjambok_, or raw-hide whip, dangled from his wrist. Not until he had gone all round, extending a limp, moist paw to each, did it occur to him to remove his hat.

”_Autre pays, autre moeurs_,” murmured Claverton in response to a charming little grimace of amus.e.m.e.nt which Lilian flashed at him from across the table, in reference to the new arrival.

A seat was found for the Dutchman, and a well-garnished plate, and being provided with a knife and fork he began to make voracious play with the same. Then having removed the edge of a very exuberant appet.i.te, he raised his head from the platter and waxed talkative.

”Oom Walter is well?”

”Ja. Pretty so so.”

”And Mrs Brathwaite?”

”Also.”

”_Det is goed_,” and then having given a like satisfactory account of his _vrouw_ and _kinders_ the Boer informed them that he was on his way to Thirlestane, with the object of purchasing some oxen from Naylor.

”Claverton's going over there this morning,” said Mr Brathwaite, unthinkingly. ”You can go over with him.”

”So,” said the Dutchman with a nod of approval. ”We will ride together.”

This didn't meet Claverton's wishes at all.

”I'm afraid not,” he said. ”Sticks is rather lame, and I shall have to send for my other horse. They'll hardly find him till the afternoon--if then. It won't be worth Botha's while to wait.”

”No. I don't think it will,” said good-natured Mrs Brathwaite, who had taken in the situation at a glance. Lilian, not understanding the Boer dialect, was an unconscious auditor of what was going on.

Breakfast over, the Dutchman sat for about half an hour outside, smoking his pipe and talking over the usual subjects with his host--sheep, ostriches, the state of the country, how much longer they could do without rain, and so on. Then, saddling up his small, rough-looking nag, he shook hands all round and departed, thoroughly content with himself and all the world.

”What a queer fellow!” said Lilian, gazing after the awkward, receding figure of their late guest, who, with his feet jammed to the heels in the stirrups, was shuffling leisurely along, pipe in mouth.

”Yes, isn't he?” answered Claverton. ”But he's a fair specimen of the typical Boer. Washes three times a year, sleeps in his clothes, and wears his hat in the house.”

”Lilian, dear; hadn't you better get ready to start?” suggested Mrs Brathwaite.

”I was just thinking the same,” said Claverton; ”but,” he added, in a lower tone, ”I couldn't find it in my conscience to hasten even such a temporary separation, and yet I was racked with apprehension lest some other wayfarer should turn up and make a third.”

She gave him a bright smile as she flitted indoors; then he, having got into his riding-gear, went round to the stable and simply made Jan the Hottentot groom's life a burden to him over the caparisoning of Lilian's steed. This bit was too sharp--that too soft--those reins were too hard for the hands--and what the devil did he mean by leaving those two specks of rust on the stirrup-iron? Jan and his deputy--an impish-looking little bushman--couldn't make it out at all; Baas Clav'ton was usually so easy-going, and now here he was fidgeting worse than the ”sir” in the long boots (Allen).

Then Lilian came out, looking lovely in her well-fitting blue habit.

There was just a little air of timidity about her which was inexpressibly charming, as Claverton put her into the saddle. She was not a bold horsewoman, she confessed. She was ashamed to say that if anything she was just a wee bit afraid every time she mounted a horse.

Nevertheless she sat beautifully, and the somewhat timid hand held the reins as gracefully if not quite as firmly as that of any hard-riding Amazon. To-day she was mounted on a handsome old bay horse of Mr Brathwaite's, who carried his head well, had a firm, easy walk, and was as safe as a church, while Claverton rode a dark chestnut just flecked with white, a fine, spirited animal which he had bought to supplement the faithful ”Sticks,” using the latter for the rougher kinds of work.

”Do you know, nothing but my unblus.h.i.+ng mendacity kept that seedy Dutchman from inflicting himself upon our ride?” remarked Claverton, when they had started; and he told her of his little subterfuge.