The black fellow's arrival at such a time was most welcome; but my
father put no faith in his declaration.
"They're all alike, Val," he said. "He's a quick worker, and as willing
and good-tempered as a man can be; but he'll only stay with us till he
has earned wages enough to buy himself some bright-coloured blankets and
handkerchiefs, and then he'll be off back to his tribe."
"Think so, father?" I said. "He seems to like us all here. He says
it's better than being with the Boers. He always says he means to
stay."
"He does mean it, of course," said my father; "but these black fellows
are like big children, and are easily led away by some new attraction.
We shall wake up some morning and find him gone."
But seven years glided away, during which apprenticeshiplike time
Joeboy, as we called him--for he would not be content with Joe when he
had heard the "boy" after it once or twice, "Joeboy" quite taking his
fancy--worked for us constantly, and became the most useful of fellows
upon our farm, ready to do anything and do it well, as his strength
became tempered with education. In fact, it grew to be a favourite
saying with my father, "I don't know what we should have done without
Joeboy."
One of the first persons I saw that morning, when I trotted towards the
house after being called by my brother, was the great black hurrying out
to meet us; and as we got closer it was to see his face puckered up and
his eyes flashing, as he said to me hoarsely:
"Won't go, Boss Val; won't go. You tell the Boss I've run up into the
hills. Won't go."
"Here, what do you mean?" I said.
"Boss Boers come to fetch up go and fight. Won't go."
"Nonsense," I said. "I dare say they've only come to buy bullocks."
"No," said the black, shaking his head fiercely. "Come to fetch
Joeboy."
"Here, don't run away."
"On'y go up in kopje," he said. "Hide dar."
He rushed away, and I was sure I knew where he would hide himself. Then
I walked on with my brother, to find my father and Aunt Jenny by the
door.
"What's it all about, father?" I asked.
"I don't know yet, my boy; but we soon shall. There's about a score of
the Boers, well mounted and armed. Yonder they are, coming at a walk.
There were only twelve; but another party have caught up to them, and
maybe there are more."
"Joeboy has run off in a fright," I said. "He thinks they've come to
fetch him."
"Oh no; it isn't that, my boy," said my father. "I fear it's something
worse."
"What?" I said wonderingly.