I don't think Mapana thought so badly of it either; there
was no sign of displeasure in her dark eyes. Her maidens were rather
startled, and ejaculated some very astonished `ous'; but they were very
discreet.

"Before I quitted her, I asked Mapana to lend me the old book on
Falconry. I wanted to examine it more closely. On my promising to
deliver it to her again, she sent for it, and placed it in my hands. I
went back to my hut, put the book into my saddle-bag till morning, and
quickly fell into a sound slumber.

"I saw little of Mapana till next evening. She was bathing with her
women at a lagoon in the morning. Then a council of headmen was held,
chiefly to discuss my visit; this lasted some hours. I wandered quietly
about the village, escorted by two tribesmen; saw that the horses were
well fed and cared for, looked at our rifles, and waited rather
impatiently for another audience with Mapana. During the afternoon the
Bushmen left the town. They had soon tired of its attractions, and
yearned to be in the veldt again.

"It was not till nightfall that Mapana sent for me. I supped with her
again by the fire in front of her hut, and again we had coffee and much
laughter together. She was in curious spirits; sometimes rippling over
with fun and a sort of naive coquetry; at others, looking serious and
thoughtful, and even, as I thought, a little askance at me. I lighted
my pipe and began to smoke. Presently she sat herself a little nearer
to me and spoke.

"`My headmen,' she said, `want to know if you have come to stay long
among us, Kareesa,' (so she pronounced my name); `I could not tell them
this morning. What does Kareesa say? I tire of ruling these people
alone. I want a man to help me. Seleni hopes to become that man; but
Seleni--well, I love not Seleni over-much. Why should not Kareesa join
his lot with mine and share my power?' Mapana looked more beautiful
than ever, I thought, at that moment; she was very serious, and her dark
eyes were turned almost beseechingly to mine. Half barbarian though she
was, I never could forget that white blood ran strong within her; and in
mere looks alone there was enough to tempt many a better man than I, who
was already more than half in love with her.

"I knew not what to say, but was about to stumble into some sort of
speech. She leaned yet nearer, and placed a hand gently upon my arm.
At that instant a sharp whistle, which I knew to be April's, and Ap