Chapter Eighteen.
The Gaika.
The two friends stood a moment gazing blankly at the empty waggon; then Webster clambered in to see if by any chance Miss Anstrade had left a message, while Hume, in the fading light, hunted slowly around for spoor of hoof-marks. Darkness, however, soon closed, and they sat down with their faces in their hands.
“The infernal scoundrels!” muttered Webster, springing up in a moment; “the cowardly hounds! If they had a grudge against us, why could they not have wreaked their spite on us? Is it some mad freak, do you think, of that crack-brained Dutchman?”
Hume was silent.
“Come, Frank,” said Webster, stepping up to his friend, “have you no idea? I am at a loss in the veld; but you, who have been here before, should have some confidence.”
“I made certain she would be with the waggon,” said Hume drearily.
“Let us get a fire alight, and when we have had some food we may hit upon something.”
In a few minutes a bright fire was burning, with a kettle in position. Food was brought out from the locker, and once more they sat down, looking silently at the crackling flames. Gradually the fire burnt away and they were left in darkness.
“Well,” said Webster.