Part 44 (2/2)

There was one thing, however, he could not see in patience--an amateur who had borrowed his whip with the proud intention of ”helping to drive”

letting the end of four yards of lash draggle over the dewy karoo, thereby making it limp and reducing its power to clack in the approved fas.h.i.+on.

[Sidenote: An Early Start]

”We had better sleep in the wagon, then we shall not be disturbed so early,” cried one of the children; but we older people preferred the idea of half a night's rest indoors to lying awake on the cartels in the wagon listening to the tossings and complaints of others.

We had been staying by the sea, and were now to journey homewards. Long before daylight, the noise of the oxen and clank of trek-chain told that inspanning was begun, and those of us who were to form the wagon party sprang out of bed and made a hurried toilet, while the Kafir women carried off the feather-beds and blankets, to stow in their allotted places in the wagon.

Mr. Gilbert and his wife, with the younger children, were to follow in a four-horse Cape-cart.

”Isn't it too dark to be trekking?” he called from his window.

”The roads is good down here,” said Jan. ”I can see enough”; and he hurried his leader, and got us under way without more ado.

We had the front curtain of the tent rolled up, and sat about on the boxes in silence for some time, listening to the plash of the sea upon the beach, every minute somebody giving a yawn.

”I cannot think why Lang-Jan is hurrying on so,” said Constance at last, ”unless he thinks it will be a very hot day again. The oxen gave out as we were coming down, and we had to outspan about five miles off.”

”I _was_ cross,” said a younger sister.

”You need not tell us that. We have not forgotten,” laughed another.

”Well, I thought I could hear the sea, and I had been meaning to run down and have a bathe directly we stopped. It was enough to make one cross. And then that stupid old Kafir and Jan over the outspan money, and our none of us being able to find any change. I believe Jan was glad we couldn't pay.”

”Jan resents having to pay outspan money: he will wriggle out of it if he can,” said Constance.

We had gone the first three or four miles with plenty of noise, clack of whip and shout at team, but this gradually subsided, and with a warning to April, the leader, to have the oxen well in the middle of the road and to keep right on, Jan sank into such silence as was possible.

Constance rose, and began to fumble for her purse.

We heard a stealthy order to April to run, and the whip sounded again about one ox and another, while we were tipped about in all directions as the team suddenly put on a tremendous spurt.

In the dim light we could see the outlines of a hut close by the road, and a Kafir sprang out of the doorway towards us shouting for his money.

Jan took no notice, but whipped and shouted and trotted along as if his were the only voice upraised.

”Stop, Jan, stop!” called Constance.

But Jan was suddenly deaf. The other man was not, however, and he ran along after us, followed by a string of undressed children, shouting and gesticulating wildly.

”Jan, I insist upon stopping,” called Constance. ”April, stop the oxen.”

In spite of all the noise Jan was making, April could not fail to hear the indignant cry of his young mistress, and presently the wagon was halted. Jan hastily popped the whip into the wagon and turned back to confront his enemy.

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