t
miles, and saw nothing but a hut or two, with a nude Hottentot eating
flesh, burnt a little, but not cooked, at the door; and the kloofs
became deeper and more turbid, and Phoebe was in an agony about her
salt, and Christopher advised her to break it in big lumps, and hang it
all about the wagon in sacks; and she did, and Ucatella said profoundly,
"My child is wise;" and they began to draw near home, and Phoebe to
fidget; and she said to Christopher, "Oh, dear! I hope they are all
alive and well: once you leave home, you don't know what may have
happened by then you come back. One comfort, I've got Sophy: she is very
dependable, and no beauty, thank my stars."

That night, the last they had to travel, was cloudy, for a wonder, and
they groped with lanterns.

Ucatella and her child brought up the rear. Presently there was a light
pattering behind them. The swift-eared Ucatella clutched Christopher's
arm, and turning round, pointed back, with eyeballs white and rolling.
There were full a dozen animals following them, whose bodies seemed
colorless as shadows, but their eyes little balls of flaming lime-light.

"GUN!" said Christie, and gave the Kafir's arm a pinch. She flew to the
caravan; he walked backwards, facing the foe. The wagon was halted,
and Dick ran back with two loaded rifles. In his haste he gave one
to Christopher, and repented at leisure; but Christopher took it,
and handled it like an experienced person, and said, with delight,
"VOLUNTEER." But with this the cautious animals had vanished like
bubbles. But Dick told Christopher they would be sure to come back; he
ordered Ucatella into the wagon, and told her to warn Phoebe not to
be frightened if guns should be fired. This soothing message brought
Phoebe's white face out between the curtains, and she implored them to
get into the wagon, and not tempt Providence.

"Not till I have got thee a kaross of jackal's fur."

"I'll never wear it!" said Phoebe violently, to divert him from his
purpose.

"Time will show," said Dick dryly. "These varmint are on and off
like shadows, and as cunning as Old Nick. We two will walk on quite
unconcerned like, and as soon as ever the varmint are at our heels you
give us the office; and we'll pepper their fur--won't we, doctor?"

"We--will--pepper--their fur," said Christopher, repeating what to him
was a lesson in the ancient and venerable English tongue.

So they walked on expectant; and by and by the four-footed sh