tary remarks about Hans, who of
course understood every word he said. Evidently Thomaso's temper had
been ruffled by this sudden and violent disturbance of his nap.

Just then our host appeared puffing with his exertions and declaring
that he had stirred up the swine with a vengeance, in proof of which he
pointed to the sjambok that was reddened with blood.

"Captain Robertson," I said, "I wish to give you a hint to be passed on
to Mr. Thomaso, if that is he. He spoke of the Zulu soldier there as a
nigger, etc. Well, he is a chief of a high rank and rather a terrible
fellow if roused. Therefore I recommend Mr. Thomaso not to let him
understand that he is insulting him."

"Oh! that's the way of these 'snuff-and-butters' one of whose
grandmothers once met a white man," replied the Captain, laughing, "but
I'll tell him," and he did in Portuguese.

His retainer listened in silence, looking at Umslopogaas rather sulkily.
Then we walked into the house. As we went the Captain said,

"Senor Thomaso--he calls himself Senor--is my manager here and a clever
man, honest too in his way and attached to me, perhaps because I
saved his life once. But he has a nasty temper, as have all these
cross-breeds, so I hope he won't get wrong with that native who carries
a big axe."

"I hope so too, for his own sake," I replied emphatically.

The Captain led the way into the sitting-room; there was but one in the
house. It proved a queer kind of place with rude furniture seated with
strips of hide after the Boer fashion, and yet bearing a certain air of
refinement which was doubtless due to Inez, who, with the assistance
of a stout native girl, was already engaged in setting the table.
Thus there was a shelf with books, Shakespeare was one of these, I
noticed--over which hung an ivory crucifix, which suggested that Inez
was a Catholic. On the walls, too, were some good portraits, and on the
window-ledge a jar full of flowers. Also the forks and spoons were of
silver, as were the mugs, and engraved with a tremendous coat-of-arms
and a Portuguese motto.

Presently the food appeared, which was excellent and plentiful, and the
Captain, his daughter and I sat down and ate. I noted that he drank gin
and water, an innocent-looking beverage but strong as he took it. It was
offered to me, but like Miss Inez, I preferred coffee.

During the meal and afterwards while we smoked upon the veranda, I
told them as much as I thought desirable of my pla