Part 16 (1/2)

”But you can't,” jeered Steele. Then roused to the highest pitch of fury by the other's coolness, he bellowed: ”Look here. Can you fight, eh? Can you? Because if so, come on.”

Something akin to intense dismay came into Lamont's mind at this development. That this drunken, aggressive idiot should have it in his power to dig not only his own grave--that would have been a good riddance--but all their graves, was a new and startling development in a situation that was already sufficiently complicated. For apart from his horror and repulsion at being perforce a party to a drunken brawl in the bar tent--how was he going to impress Qubani, at the crucial moment, with a bunged-up eye, perchance, or a bleeding nose. He would only look ridiculous, not in the least impressive, and it was of vital importance he should look impressive.

”Yes, I can,” he answered shortly, ”but I'm not going to--now.”

A murmur of disgust arose from among some of the bystanders. Lamont had funked again.

”Then you're a blanked coward,” yelled Steele, and the murmurs deepened.

And yet--and yet--there was a look in Lamont's dark face which made some of them pause, for it was not exactly the look of one who was afraid, rather was it that of a man who was trying to restrain himself.

”I'm not going to now,” he said shortly, ”but I'll accommodate you where and when you like, after the gymkhana's over. We can't start bruising now, with a lot of ladies on the scene. Now, can we?”

The bystanders, thus appealed to, saw the sense of this. Besides, they were not going to be done out of their fun this time. It was only fun adjourned.

”No, no. That's quite right and reasonable. Jim, you can't kick up a row here now. Take it out of him afterwards,” were some of the cries that arose.

”He won't be there. He'll scoot.”

”Oh no, I won't,” answered Lamont. ”I'll be there,”--”if any of us are,” he added to himself grimly.

He finished his liquor and went outside. There was a lull in the proceedings, and people were moving about and talking, pending the distribution of the prizes.

”Greeting, Qubani. That is good. Last time we talked was 'kwa Zwabeka.'”

”_Ou_! Lamonti is my father,” answered the old witch-doctor. Then, having fired off a long string of _sibongo_, he concluded that the sun was very hot, and it was long since he had drunk anything.

”That shall be presently when these are gone,” said Lamont. ”But first--walk round with me, and I will show you where the horses race.

It is good to see the chief of all _iza.n.u.si_ again.”

The old ruffian complied, nothing loth. He was thinking that the more exuberant his friendliness the more completely would he lull all suspicion among these fools of whites. He professed himself profoundly interested in everything explained to him.

”I saw you ride, Lamonti,” he said. ”_Whau_! but you did pick up the little bits of wood with the long spear. That was great--great. But the other _Inkosi_ was greater.”

”Yes, the other was greater, Qubani, but what made me miss that stroke was joy at seeing my father, the greatest of all _iza.n.u.si_ in our midst.”

”_Whau_!”

”Mr Lamont, do come and help us with the prizes. They balloted for who should distribute them, and Lucy was chosen. Do come and stand by us and help. They are going to begin now.”

”I'm most awfully sorry, Miss Vidal, but I can't just now.”

”You won't?” said Clare curtly, for she was not accustomed to be refused.

”I can't,” he repeated. ”Do believe I have a good reason--and don't direct any attention to me just now. Believe me, a great deal hangs upon it.”

”Very well,” she said, and left him, marvelling. It must be as he had said--still that he should refuse to do something for her and prefer to talk to this squalid old savage instead--why, it was incomprehensible.

”What is covered up on that waggon, _Nkose_!” said the witch-doctor, pointing to a waggon which stood just inside the fence. Its position, perhaps, directly facing the Ehlatini ridge, suggested an inspiration to Lamont. He answered--

”_Izikwa-kwa_.” [Maxim guns.]