ters,"
observed Crawford.

"I am not fully persuaded of that," answered Rupert. "They probably,
finding that they were discovered, thought it prudent, if they had any
sinister design, to beat a retreat for the present."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE MASTER ABSENT.

Four days had passed since Captain Broderick had started on his
expedition. His family were now hoping every hour to see him return.
It was difficult, however, to calculate how far Hendricks might have got
before he was overtaken, and what delays might have occurred. Perhaps
he might be unwilling to give up Lionel, and would not be satisfied that
he was Captain Broderick's son. He was deeply attached to the boy, and
looked forward to having him as his companion during his travels, and
making him his successor in his arduous, though interesting and
lucrative, calling. Captain Broderick was only slightly acquainted with
Hendricks, and had from the first been doubtful how he might be
received. He had therefore resolved to go himself, instead of sending
any one else, to bring his supposed son to the farm. It is more easy to
imagine than describe Mrs Broderick's state of anxiety. Was her
long-lost boy to be restored to her? or were the anticipations she had
formed to be fallacious? Her daughters shared her feelings, but they
were so much occupied from morning till night in their various duties,
that their minds consequently dwelt less on the subject than did hers.
Rupert had satisfied himself that there was no doubt about the matter,
and that Hendricks would immediately give up his young brother, as he
called him, to his father.

The evening of the fourth day was coming to a close, when a Kaffir was
seen on the opposite side of the river, making signals. Rupert and
Percy, who were together, instantly hurried down to the boat to
ascertain what he wanted.

"I wonder whether he brings a message from our father," said Percy; "if
so, I am afraid he has been delayed."

"Yes, I am sure he does," answered Rupert. "See, he carries a stick,
with a letter stuck in a cleft in the end. That's the way the Kaffirs
always carry written messages. We shall soon know its contents."

They were quickly across, and the Kaffir, stepping into the boat,
presented the letter at the end of the stick to Rupert. It was
addressed, however, to Mrs Broderick, in his father's handwriting, so
that he could not open it, and he and Percy had to repress their
curiosity until i