“If it be so,” I rejoined, “how would you counsel us to proceed?”
“Why, to make your way as fast as you can to the white settlement; then to the coast—to Cape Town if possible, for there it will be more probable to get a ship back to England.”
“Ah! a ship, bless her,” broke in Thompson. “When I feel the deck once more beneath my feet, and see the well-remembered, tapering spars running up with their net-work of rigging into the blue sky, then I shall begin to feel once more like a Christian—a Christian escaped from purgatory—especially if I can get another suit of togs in place of these outlandish garments.”
“It was of those I meant to speak,” I said. “How can we change them without a farthing in our pockets?”
“I believe I can aid you there,” rejoined Mr Ferguson. “I think in the settlement you will pass through, just about where the Bechuana tribes are located, a kind of missionary station is established—if so, I know there you can obtain both help and clothes. I will give you a message in case, for I would also like them to send to me some articles, with which I may be able to win my way with, and instruct these people, for even in heavenly matters we must sometimes call in the aid of earth, to touch the hearts of man.”
We had been chatting thus respecting our proceedings for some little while, the interchange of thought with civilised humanity being far too agreeable for either of the three to bring it to a close, when, uttering a sharp cry, I sprang erect and seized my knob-kerrie.
“What on earth’s the matter?” exclaimed Jack, following my example; while Mr Ferguson also rose to his feet.
“See,” I exclaimed: “look along the branch of that tree just above our heads, that olive coloured snake. If there be one thing I have a downright horror of, it is a snake, so pray let us leave the reptile to itself, for I am not sure enough with my knob-kerrie to knock it over.”
“Stay,” said Mr Ferguson, placing his hand upon my shoulder; “there is no fear, Dick.”
“No fear!” I ejaculated in surprise. “Why, the natives affirm that sort of snake is very poisonous!”