United States or Malta ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Mouti," said John to the Zulu, who was lounging about in a way characteristic of that intelligent but unindustrious race, "inspan the horses. We are going back to Mooifontein." "Koos!" said the Zulu unconcernedly, and started on the errand as though it were the most everyday occurrence to drive off home out of a closely beleaguered town.
By this time Mouti had got up the horses, and asked if he was to inspan. "No; wait a bit," said John. "Very likely it is all nonsense," he added to himself. Scarcely were the words out of his mouth when he caught sight of two armed Boers of a peculiarly unpleasant type and rough appearance, riding across the veldt towards "The Palatial" gate. With them was an escort of four carbineers.
About midnight, too, the moon vanished altogether, and they must creep on as best they could through the darkness. Indeed, so dark was it, that Mouti was obliged to get out and lead the exhausted horses, one of which would now and again fall down, to be cruelly flogged before it rose. Once, too, the cart very nearly upset; and on another occasion it was within an inch of rolling down a precipice.
Jess halted to let the little procession go by, when suddenly she perceived John Niel among these men and recognised the Zulu Mouti on the box. There was the man whom she had just vowed never to see again, and the sight of him seemed to take all her strength out of her, so that she felt inclined to sink down upon the veldt.
I am glad to see you very glad. Why, what is the matter with you?" he went on as the Zulu Mouti ran to help him off his horse. "Matter, Mr. Croft?" answered John; "why, the matter is that your favourite ostrich has nearly killed me and your niece here, and that I have killed your favourite ostrich."
But come on; we must be getting home, it's growing dark. Mouti" which, being interpreted, means Medicine she added, addressing the Kafir in Zulu "help Captain Niel on to his horse. Be careful that the saddle does not twist round; the girths may be loose."
I noticed with some surprise, however, that before he did so he went to the waggon and fetched his "mouti," or medicine, which, together with his other magical apparatus, he always carried in a skin bag. I asked him why he did this. He answered that it was to make himself invulnerable against the spears of the Zulus.
At nine they breakfasted, and as the clock struck half-past ten Mouti brought the cart round, and with it came the two Boers. "Well, Mrs. Gooch," said John, "what do we owe you?" "Nothing, Captain Niel, nothing. If you only knew what a weight you have taken off my mind!
"Climb over the back of the seat, Mouti, and stand by to help me with the reins!" called out John to the Zulu, who obeyed, scrambling between him and Jess. "Now, Jess, hold on and say your prayers, for it strikes me that we shall have need of them. So, horses, so!"
Even as the words passed her lips three tongues of fire flared from the rifles' mouths, and the Zulu Mouti, sitting by her side, pitched heavily forward on to his head into the bottom of the cart, while one of the wheelers reared straight up into the air with a shriek of agony, and fell with a splash into the river. Then followed a scene of horror indescribable.
Word Of The Day