_JAARSVELDT BY DAYLIGHT._
"OUT-SPAN by our gate," said Van Immersed to Mr. Treby. "In the morning
we may find out which way the sheep were driven. What could you do
single-handed in the open, suppose those fellows should return? I am
off with Otto and the lads to my own sheep-kraals. When once such work
begins, who knows where it may stop? Those black neighbours of ours
won't catch me napping; but you are beaten out of time already. Turn in
till daylight."
Otto duly translated, adding to his master's advice the comforting
remark that the black beggars could not drive away the veldt.
So Jack's father decided to live in his waggon a day or two until he
knew what course to take. The Boar's view of last night's proceedings
was similar to the postman's, that he felt it would be unwise to risk
returning to his burning farm at present. Until the ashes cooled,
nothing could be done. He only wished Tottie was with them; but Tottie,
who had seen the marauders pass while she lay hidden in the sloot, did
not believe they were Kafirs at all, but a pack of half-caste thieves,
who would make away with their booty as fast as they could, and never
think of returning. When they were gone, she saw no reason why she
should leave her hut.
Meanwhile some of the Boer's men had unyoked Mr. Treby's oxen and
secured them for the night. His pleasant way of speaking was so
different from the rough manners of the Boers, they helped him gladly.
Whilst they were thus engaged "out-spanning," as they say in Africa,
Walt Immerseel cut off the horns from the bull's head, and putting one
in his own pocket, offered the other to Mr. Treby.
"With these we can make each other hear if anything occurs in the
night," he said, and Otto repeated.
When the danger-signal was agreed upon, Walt marched off to play patrol
on the other side of the sheep-kraals.
Jack was already in his grassy nest, and now his father lay down beside
him.
"There is no word of comfort for us to-night, Jack," he said
despondently. "Our Bible was on the shelf, wasn't it?"
"Yes," answered his boy; "so it is burnt. Everything must be burnt by
this time—everything that was in the house, I mean, father."
"Yes, I am afraid so," was the gloomy answer. "We must fall back on
memory. Tell me some verse or other, my dear, before we go to sleep."