"It is one of the articles I have missed," replied Mr Trail; "I am
truly glad it is found." As he spoke, Eleanor approached, and seeing
the miniature handed from one gentleman to the other, looked eagerly in
the missionary's face, as though inquiring the meaning of what was
passing. Mr Trail drew her arm through his, and led her away, leaving
Frankfort mystified.
He had been told this fair, melancholy creature was a widow. It was
clear she had been a mother, and she was now probably mourning the
recent death of her child; but why were these, apparently, secret or
forbidden themes?
Then he reasoned as usual,--what was it to him? He was a stranger,--and
yet he could not be considered entirely such under present
circumstances, and how much, too, Mr Daveney had intrusted to him!
He waited for some minutes, hoping Mr Trail would return, and accompany
him in his night rounds. He stepped into the verandah: the plains were
bathed in moonlight. The inmates of the wagons were retiring to their
rest; only here and there a light glimmered, or the feeble voice of an
infant and some mother's murmured lullaby wailed through the stillness
of the night; but Mr Trail and Eleanor were pacing the stoep in such
earnest conversation, that they did not perceive Frankfort, who withdrew
to his nightly duty.
The cattle had been secured by Griqua Adam, the gates were closed, the
sentinels posted, and the outworks were nearly completed. Mr Daveney
was expected home on the morrow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. Abati consists of trees with their branches shortened and
sharpened at the ends, and they serve as a chevaux-de-frize on an
emergency.