Part 93 (1/2)

There was a quick, panther-like movement, a spring, and a half-smothered imprecation, and Truscott staggered back half-a-dozen paces, reeling beneath two straight-out hits from Claverton's clenched fists. With an awful execration, something between a yell and the roar of a wild animal, he recovered himself, and, with his livid features working violently, dashed at his a.s.sailant. He was the taller and heavier man of the two, as well as the stronger, but he had lived hard, whereas the other was in splendid order--quick, supple, keen of eye, and dangerously cool, notwithstanding his deadly wrath. Half blinded by his own rage, like an infuriated bull, Truscott rushed upon his adversary, drawing, as he did so, his revolver from the holster hung upon his side. But before he could bring it to bear it was struck violently from his grasp, with a blow of the heavy Kafir stick, and, quick as lightning, that terrible ”one--two,” straight from the shoulder, met him in his onward rush, and this time stretched him, half stunned, upon the ground.

”Coward, as well as liar, thief, and murderer!” exclaimed Claverton, his voice shaking with suppressed fury, as he thought of all the ruin wrought by his foe's unscrupulous malice. ”I suppose even you would like to settle this as soon as possible. You know where to find me.

I'll be ready at any time.”

”Shoot him. Do you hear? Shoot him down! Fifty pounds to the man who shoots him dead!” foamed Truscott, raising himself, half-dazed, upon his elbow. ”Do you hear, men, G.o.d d.a.m.n you, or are you all in a state of mutiny?”

Claverton laughed coldly.

”I don't imagine any of them will lay themselves out to earn the money,”

he said. ”They are not quite such fools as their leader. But I repeat, Captain Truscott, that you will know where to find me, unless you prefer to let well alone, that is, and console yourself with thinking over the thras.h.i.+ng you've just had.”

”Wait, my fine fellow,” replied the other, between his set teeth. ”I'll riddle that carcase of yours for this morning's business. I used to be able to shoot pretty straight, I can tell you.”

”Yes? Glad to hear it. We'll have some tall practice presently. Till then--so long!” and, with a mocking nod, Claverton turned and walked away in the direction of the camp, while the Hottentots, who had stood aloof, awe-stricken witnesses of this unexpected and stirring incident, hastened to raise their discomfited chief. Their sympathies, however, were all with the enemy; for Truscott, since he had had the command of Claverton's old corps, had rendered himself exceedingly unpopular--as much so, in fact, as its former leader had been the reverse; and now-- though by reason of their ignorance of the English tongue they failed to understand what the row had been about--they mightily but secretly rejoiced over its issue.

Great and terrible was the hubbub which prevailed in the temporary kraal of the Gaika chief as soon as it became known that the white prisoner had disappeared. And the circ.u.mstances which led to this discovery were as follows.

Obedient to the instructions of his uncle, Tambusa had not stirred from the hut which had const.i.tuted Claverton's prison-house, so as to allow the two to get clear off without running the risk of exciting alarm. At length, towards morning, the young Kafir began to think he might fairly take steps to ensure his own safety. Accordingly he stole forth from the hut--not quickly, and of set purpose, but with apparent reluctance and rubbing his eyes as if he had just woke up--this in case any prying glance should be watching his movements. All was still, though there was just a sign of the coming dawn discernible in the east, and with his blanket over his shoulder and his a.s.segais in his hand, Tambusa walked swiftly through the group of huts in the direction of the bush, when, as ill-luck would have it, he was hailed, and by one of the men who had been mounting guard over the prisoner the night before.

”Where are you going to?” asked this man.

”Oh, I shall come back in a moment.”

”I'll just go and look at the prisoner till you do, then,” was the reply. ”He oughtn't to be left in the charge of only one man.”

”No, don't do that,” promptly rejoined Tambusa, whose heart sank within him. ”Xuvani is there, and he'll be very angry with me. He doesn't know I've gone out.”

”Never mind. He won't hurt you,” said the other. ”I'll tell him I met you,” and he walked straight towards the hut. Could it be that his suspicions were aroused? Was there something in Tambusa's mien that betrayed him? Anyhow, the latter's safety now would depend on the use he could make of the very brief start allowed him by the time his interlocutor would take to reach the hut--that, and no more.

Opening the door, the man bent down and looked in.

”Xuvani!” he called.

No answer. Perfect stillness. Not even the regular breathing of a sleeping man broke the silence. For a moment the savage shrunk from entering, his superst.i.tious soul fearing the spells of this redoubted white sorcerer. Then his loud cry of alarm roused the sleeping kraal.

Dark forms came hurrying out of their huts, half expecting to find themselves attacked by the enemy; but quickly grasping the cause of alarm they gathered round their countryman.

”The white man--the prisoner! Where is he?” was heard on all sides.

Quickly one of the Kafirs made his way through the crowd, a box of matches in his hand. Striking one, he peered into the gloomy interior of the hut. It was empty.

”Treachery, treachery!” he shouted. ”The prisoner has disappeared!” and the cry was taken up by the crowd, which glared inquiringly around, as if in search of some trace by which to follow the fugitive.

”Where is Tambusa?” cried the man who had first raised the alarm. ”He is the traitor--he has released the white man--he was here a moment ago--where is he now?”

He might well ask. Tambusa, it may be readily supposed, had lost no time in following the prisoner's example. He, too, had disappeared.

Then again the wild, thrilling cry of alarm rang out through the forest.

It fell upon the ear of the devoted young Kafir, straining every nerve to make the most of that brief start, and it seemed to peal forth his doom. There was no lack of spoor to guide them in their pursuit of him, his fresh footmarks in the muddy soil were only too apparent to all; and away started two score of fierce warriors upon his track. The fugitive, husbanding his strength, dashes along at a swift, easy run, intending to gain the white man's camp. There at any rate he will be safe; but he knows full well the fate in store for him should he fall into the hands of his fierce countrymen, for has he not just been guilty of what in their eyes is an act of treason of the blackest dye? On, on; the young warrior is lithe and agile, and in splendid training, and it may be that he will distance his pursuers yet. But those horrid whoops are resounding from many a hill-top, and with fatal effect, for the attention of the five Kafirs whom Xuvani and his charge met not long since, is attracted thereby, and, with the quick suspicion of their race, they put two and two together. So, as poor Tambusa comes flying down the narrow bush-path, five dark forms spring up panther-like in front of him, effectually barring his progress. On either side is the thick tangled bush, almost impenetrable. He is lost; the pursuers are advancing rapidly upon his rear, and his road is barred. Disregarding the warning voices of those in front of him, the hapless youth bounds off the track and plunges into the tangled th.o.r.n.y brake. He is on a rock; below and in front of him lies a deep, stony ravine all overhung with trailers, a tiny stream trickling down its funnel-like depths. Ha!