‘I say, Fritz, this means that you are going to be one of the richest men in the country. There is not another such mine of gold in the world as this one is going to be.’
‘Wait and hear what the old man says about it first,’ said Fritz.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Steve.
‘Wait,’ was the laconic reply.
They arrived home and found the old man superintending the planting of some shade trees near the house. They went up to him, and showed him the bar of gold discovered by the boy.
‘See, father, what April found,’ said Fritz.
‘What is it?’
‘Gold,’ said Steve.
The old man stood looking at them for fully a minute, then asked for an explanation. He was told all that had taken place.
He did not say a word, but Steve could see that he was by no means pleased. In the evening, when the herds were all safely in the kraal, Steve, Fritz and the old farmer were sitting on the stoep smoking. In front of the stoep half-a-dozen cows and heifers were standing. The old man had ordered them to be driven out of the herd, and to await his further orders.