"Then you all wish to leave me?"
"Not so," broke in Mr Ferguson, "if you will grant me permission, I
would desire yet to remain with your tribe."
Metilulu, who had, I fancied, already taken a liking to the minister, as
he frequently addressed himself to him, nodded approval; then saying he
could not give his decision at that moment, he gave us permission to
withdraw, appearing no longer desirous to continue a conversation which
had taken so unpleasant a turn.
I could not help feeling rather flattered by the decided aversion
Metilulu showed to part with me, and yet also I was grieved at causing
him any regret, after the real friendship and generosity I had
experienced at his hands, and tried to show these feelings as plainly as
I could, both in speech and expression, when I arose with Mr Ferguson
and Thompson to take our leave.
On retiring, instead of returning to the kraal, we went towards the
bush, and there, under the shadow of the trees, sat down to talk of our
own affairs, and what was the likely answer Metilulu would give. Mr
Ferguson said he believed it would be in the affirmative, though he did
not like my going.
"If it be so," I rejoined, "how would you counsel us to proceed?"
"Why, to make your way as fast as you can to the white settlement; then
to the coast--to Cape Town if possible, for there it will be more
probable to get a ship back to England."
"Ah! a ship, bless her," broke in Thompson. "When I feel the deck once
more beneath my feet, and see the well-remembered, tapering spars
running up with their net-work of rigging into the blue sky, then I
shall begin to feel once more like a Christian--a Christian escaped from
purgatory--especially if I can get another suit of togs in place of
these outlandish garments."
"It was of those I meant to speak," I said. "How can we change them
without a farthing in our pockets?"
"I believe I can aid you there," rejoined Mr Ferguson. "I think in the
settlement you will pass through, just about where the Bechuana tribes
are located, a kind of missionary station is established--if so, I know
there you can obtain both help and clothes. I will give you a message
in case, for I would also like them to send to me some articles, with
which I may be able to win my way with, and instruct these people, for
even in heavenly matters we must sometimes call in the aid of earth, to
touch the hearts of man."
We had been chatting thus respecting our proceedings for some little
while, the interchange of thought with civilised humanity being far too
agreeable for either of the three to bring it to a close, when, uttering
a sharp cry, I sprang erect and seized my knob-kerrie.
"What on earth's the matter?" exclaimed Jack, following my example;
while Mr Ferguson also rose to his feet.
"See," I exclaimed: "look along the branch of that tree just above our
heads, that olive coloured snake. If there be one thing I have a
downright horror of, it is a snake, so pray let us leave the reptile to
itself, for I am not sure enough with my knob-kerrie to knock it over."
"Stay," said Mr Ferguson, placing his hand upon my shoulder; "there is
no fear, Dick."
"No fear!" I ejaculated in surprise. "Why, the natives affirm that
sort of snake is very poisonous!"
"Then, Dick, they are wrong," he answered quietly. "The posterior teeth
certainly resemble fangs, but they are perfectly harmless, and are
merely used to seize their prey. Yes," he added, after a closer
inspection, "it is the Bucephalus Capensis, or, as these people call it,
the Boomslange. It is generally found upon trees, where it goes in
search of food. Here, draw back awhile and watch; you may perhaps see a
proof of that fascination which has so often been spoken about,
respecting these reptiles' eyes."
As he spoke our attention was attracted by the piercing cries of several
birds which were flying as if in abject terror about the tree, while the
Boomslange coiled about the branch, its head raised about ten inches,
its mouth open, its throat inflated, fixed its full large eyes upon the
poor little trembling victims. Fascinated ourselves by the sight, we
watched anxiously the result.
Round and round the poor flutterers went, each time, I perceived,
drawing nearer the cruel mouth, till I shuddered as one, with a sweep,
almost touched the reptile's lips--the next moment, drawn by that
wonderful and inexplicable fascination, it was in its terrible jaws;
and, unable to bear it longer, I let fly my knob-kerrie, striking the
snake from the tree, but I did not hurt him much, for, with the speed of
light, he had wriggled into the bush, carrying its miserable prey in its
mouth.
The sight made us loth to sit down near the spot again, so we returned
to the kraal, Mr Ferguson telling us on the way, that a few days back,
he, with a party of Kaffirs, had come across a python; but the natives
would not touch it, owing to a superstition they have, that misfortune
would be sure to overtake any one who injured these monstrous reptiles.
On reaching the huts, we found the Kaffirs busily engaged in restoring
the ruined ones, so we lent them our aid, and thus managed both to win
their favour and while away the time, which, owing to my anxiety
respecting Metilulu's answer, I found hang heavily on my hands. At the
dinner hour, however, we went to the minister's hut, which had still
been left him, where, after refreshing ourselves, we remained talking of
that never-tiring subject, home, and waiting the chief's reply.
It was quite sunset before the latter arrived, then Tugela brought it.
Metilulu had sent me permission to leave for the white settlement when I
pleased, and also gave for a guide the warrior whose life he had that
day spared because of our prayers.
"Did he grant this willingly, Tugela?" I asked.
"Not at all; he seems much vexed."
"I am sorry," I said, "for I must go. Well, Tugela, express my sincere
thanks to Metilulu, and say that I have no means now of showing my
gratitude, but, if he will allow me, I should like to send him back by
the guide some presents, if he would honour me by their acceptance."
Tugela, replying he had no doubt this would much please the chief,
willingly took the message; and no sooner had he gone than, casting
myself on the ground, I actually cried for joy at the thought of the
possibility of once again embracing my dear wife and little ones; while
even Jack's eyes grew dim though, as he said, he had nothing else but
his country and his ship to love and care for; and, he added, "by jingo,
I'll be true to 'em, that I will, or I'm a black nigger of a Kaffir."
Poor Zenuta; at that moment I did not even give her a single thought.