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Each bill was for five hundred dollars. "You have given me a thousand dollars!" he gasped. "I am aware of it. I consider my life worth that, at least. James Swinton never fails to pay his debts." "But, sir, a thousand dollars " "It's no more than you deserve. When I tell my wife, on my return to Chicago, about this affair, she will blame me for not giving you more."
As soon as Alexander and the Major had made known their perils and sufferings to Swinton, the latter informed them that about three hours after they had left the caravan in pursuit of the cattle, the animals had returned, and that of course he had fully expected them to follow.
"I am glad to have heard your narrative, Major," replied Swinton; "for many doubts have been thrown upon the question of the power of the human eye, and your opinion is a very corroborative one." "Do not you imagine that the lion-tamers who exhibit in Europe have taken advantage of this peculiar fact?"
The rhinoceros, the moment that the boy caught his eye, rushed furiously towards him. "The boy's lost," cried Swinton; but hardly had the words gone from his mouth, when, to their astonishment, the rhinoceros disappeared, and Omrah stood capering and shouting with delight.
Alexander had been walking by the side of the river with the Major, while the Hottentots were arranging the camp, and Swinton was putting away some new specimens in natural history which he had collected, when Omrah, who was with them, put his finger to his lips and stopped them. As they perfectly understood what he required, they stood still and silent.
How much more fortunate those who never gained the shore." "Yes, indeed," replied Swinton; "except the eight who reached the Cape, and the five that Daaka asserts were saved, all the rest must have perished in that dreadful manner." Alexander remained for some time in painful thought; at last he turned to Daaka and said, as he pointed to the remains of the wreck, "And this then is your mother?"
"Do you know any thing of this person, Swinton?" "Yes, I have heard of him, but I did not know that he had extended his conquests so low down as to the Val River." "Who is he?" "You have heard of Chaka, the king of the Zoolus, who conquered the whole country, as far as Port Natal to the eastward?" "Yes," replied Alexander; "we have heard of him."
He was so weak that he could not stand, and Mr Swinton desired the Hottentot who was with him to lift him up, and carry him to the waggons. Some medicine and good food soon brought the little fellow round again, and he was able to walk about. He showed no disposition to leave them; indeed, he would watch for Mr Swinton, and follow him as far as he could.
"I wish to talk on important family matters, father," said Mrs. Swinton, dropping into the chair which Trimmer brought forward, and giving the valet a sharp, resentful look. "You can talk before Trimmer. You ought to know that by this time. Trimmer and I are one." "If madam wishes, I will withdraw," murmured Trimmer, retiring to the door.
"Now, men," said Swinton, "this is a tough job we have in hand, for they are strong men, and the boy, albeit not big, is a very tiger-cat to fight. You see, if our plan was murder we could easily settle their business while they slept but that's not our plan. We are not murderers by no means!" "Certainly not," growled Blazer, with virtuous solemnity. "Well, that bein' so, we must take them alive.
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