," said Brian, with a
significant laugh, as we joined him. "Yet none of ours, or sheep
either, have vanished this time, so I suppose we ought to consider
ourselves fortunate. The count is correct. By the way, Holt, I'm
afraid one of the vicissitudes common to this country has deferred
supper for a little. We can't do better than sit out here, so long."

There were cosy cane chairs upon the stoep, and as we sat chatting I
said--

"Who is Kuliso?"

Brian laughed.

"One of the chiefs of the Ndhlambe location just east of us. A bad egg
personally, and his clan is made up of `prize' thieves and
stock-lifters."

"But you, Miss Matterson," I went on. "Is it safe for you to go about
alone among such neighbours?"

A glance of understanding, humorous withal, passed between brother and
sister.

"Beryl is just about a dead shot, Holt," said the former quietly.

"But even then, what can one do against a number, and that one a--"

"A woman, you were going to say, Mr Holt," supplied that equable,
resolute voice, that had already begun to charm me.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Brian. "Are you afraid to throw up your hat in the
air, Holt, now, just as we sit? But never mind. It wouldn't be fair to
spoil that new `smasher' of yours. Mine's a very old one. Look now."

While he had spoken Beryl had disappeared within the house for a moment.
Now she stood there holding a revolver--no toy, mind, but a real
effective and business-like six-shooter. Up went Brian's hat, whirling
in mid-air. Just as it rested stationary for a fraction of a second at
its highest flight, there was a sharp report; the hat gave a spasmodic
jerk, like a live thing, and began to fall. But before it touched
ground there was another report. Struck again, it gave a leap, and went
skimming away to the ground in sidelong flight.

"Magnificent, by Jove!" broke from me. But that she had lowered the
still smoking weapon, Beryl had not moved. Brian, however, had sprung
from his seat to retrieve his hat.

"Call that nothing, Holt?" he cried, pointing out two clean bullet
holes--one through the brim, the other through the crown. "Good thing
it wasn't yours, eh?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Brian, it's too bad of you, to make me show off in that way," said
Beryl. "I can't think why I did it. Now I must go and see to things
inside, or you two poor hungry creatures will get nothing to eat
to-night."

She disappeared, and as the playful, chiding tone, the merri