“They tell what they do. The young ones wait over there and shout; the old man creep round on this side, say nothing, and jump over.”
“And you think they are settling that plan now?”
“Yoh, sieur; they make plan, bymby begin work. See, there!”
A second burst of roaring made the ground tremble, and the movement and the vibration in the air seemed to communicate more quickly the terror in the sound. It swelled and fell, and rose again, and at each pause the after-growl came in more threatening and ferocious.
“There, baas,” said the Gaika, in a thrilling whisper, dropping his long hand in a fierce grasp on Webster’s arm.
“What?” asked Webster, raising his rifle, and looking eagerly to the left.
“He jumped just now. Is the baas ready?”
“Yes.”
The slide was opened, and the brilliant light, released, shot out into the darkness beyond the fires, and, under the steady hand of the Gaika, swept along the fence, throwing out the white scars on the broken branches. It crept back again, and the two men, with eager eyes and every nerve alert, followed the beam for sign of the fierce visitor. Three times the light swept over the ground, and Webster levelled his rifle; but just then the lamp was held still and the Kaffir made a slight noise, while his breathing became quicker.
Webster followed the light in vain.