“Well, this is very jolly,” he began, “stumbling upon a white man. The fact is I can’t talk the lingo, and couldn’t ask the way for one thing.”
“Where are you bound for?”
The voice, dead, dull, expressionless, was peculiar. But it was a refined voice.
“I wanted first to get to Ezulwini.”
“You were going in exactly the contrary direction, that’s all.”
The other started. Had this mysterious personage been aware of his progress all along? he wondered. The thought was rather disquieting under all the circumstances. The man was a puzzle. He seemed to prefer his unexpected guest’s room to his company.
“My horse has gone dead lame,” went on the latter. “He may be all right in the morning. But, meanwhile, I shall have to throw myself upon your hospitality, or camp outside in the veldt.”
The other was silent for a moment. Then he said—
“You are welcome—on one condition.”
“And that?”