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I'm starving. Mynheer Van Ormon, we must again trespass on your hospitality." "So you shall, mine poys, mit pleasure all around; put who told you I vas Mynheer Van Ormon?" "The same two men who told us about the giraffes. They were looking for some stray horses." "Dat mush be mine neighbour Cloots, who live fifteen miles to the east of thish place. They say they see the cameels.
"This is the villain who pretended to quarrel with his master and leave him," said the man who had knocked the Kaffir down. "I told Van Ormon to send him off with the others, but he was sure the fellow did not wish to assist them, and could not if he would. By his folly our game has been nearly lost. We've just been in time; but what are we to do with the black brute, now that we've caught him?"
Hendrik gave them a brief history of their course during the last twenty-four hours; and, in doing so, mentioned the object of their expedition, the search after the giraffes. "If that's what you've been after," said the man who spoke proper English, "perhaps we can assist you a little. From what you tell me, I presume you must have been staying at the kraal of Mynheer Van Ormon.
He is not telling the truth if he says that we beat him. I may have spoken to him somewhat harshly; I admit having done so, but I did not know he was so sensitive. I'm sorry, if I have offended him, and am willing to apologise." Mynheer Van Ormon stepped up to the door of the hut and commanded the Kaffir to come forth.
An ample black woman, aproned and turbaned, looked at me through the steam of many kettles, turned and cuffed the lad at the spit, dealt a few buffets among the scullions, and waddled up to me, bobbing and curtsying. "Aunt Tulip," I said, gravely, "are you voodoo?" "Folks says ah is, Mars' Ormon'," she said, in her soft Georgia accent. "Oh, they do, do they? Look at me, Aunt Tulip.
Our adventurers were too impatient to stay longer on the spot; and, after getting a few further directions, they bade the strangers good day and hastened on towards the house. On entering its enclosure the first person they encountered was the boer Mynheer Van Ormon. "I see pat luck mit you, mine poys," said the Dutchman, as they rode up to him. "I knowed it would pe so.
Unwilling to trespass any longer on the hospitality of Mynheer Van Ormon, Hans had left the house with the intention to encamp somewhere near it, and wait for the return of his companions. To this the boer had made but little opposition, and his guest proceeded to prepare the Makololo for a removal.
The Kaffir probably supposed that they might interfere with his plans, by bringing suspicion upon himself. This, however, did not prevent Willem from going to see him once more. Congo had broken his promise; and that was a proof that something must be wrong. On their new visit to Mynheer Van Ormon, this gentleman did not take the slightest trouble to show them civility.
Presently the tightness in my face relaxed, I moved my lips, smiling vaguely. "In love," I repeated. "Yaas, Mars' Ormon'." "When?" "'Fore yo' know h'it, honey." "Tell me more." "'Spec' ah done tole yo' too much, honey." She looked at me steadily. "Pore Mars' Gawge," she murmured, "'spec' ah done tole yo' too much.
If not one of the thieves themselves, he looks to me very like a messenger going to them from Van Ormon's. From the behaviour of the boer, I'm now convinced that our giraffes have been stolen, and Van Ormon himself is the thief." Riding in among some trees, they dismounted, and, securing their horses in the cover, watched the man who was approaching from the plain.
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