“Don’t talk like that—don’t, I beg you. Remember our awful position.”
“‘The devil was ill, the devil a monk would be,’” quoted the other, with a bitter laugh. “I’ve been in ‘awful positions’ before now, on more than one occasion, but this time I verily believe it’s all UP. My God has quarrelled with me, as that long devil over yonder graciously informed me last night.”
Swaysland stared at him in amazement. Here was a man with torture and death before him in a few hours, talking as calmly and as cynically as if he was having his evening pipe. He had never even heard of anything like this before, and, if he had, would not have believed it.
“Now, look here,” continued Claverton. “I don’t want to raise any false hopes, mind that; but I think it’s just possible that they may let you go. You see, the chiefs always like to stand well with the missionaries, not because they believe in them, but because Exeter Hall is a power in the land, worse luck. Now, you represent that you’re no end of a swell in that connection, and that you’ll do great things for them if they let you go. But, whatever you do, don’t promise to leave the country by way of an inducement.”
“But if they ask me?”
“They won’t. On the contrary. If you leave the country, you can be of no further service to them, and they know it. It is only by remaining here and saying what fine, generous fellows they are, that you can do them any good. In fact, I think you stand a very fair chance; but, as I say, I don’t want to raise any false hopes.”
“Really, I declare I am quite hopeful already. If I get away, never again will I set foot in these frightful wilds,” vehemently replied this preacher of the Gospel. “But, about yourself?” he added, ashamed of his egotism, a consciousness of which had just begun to dawn upon him.
“Oh, I? Well, I’m a gone coon. There isn’t a chance for me. They know me too well.” Then, as if moved by a sudden impulse, he added: “If you escape you might do me a service. It isn’t a very big thing.”
“I pledge you my word that I will. What is it?”
“Find out a man named Payne—George Payne. He’s from Kaffraria, but at present he’s living in Grahamstown, and—tell him—tell them—all—that you saw the last of me.”