And now I go again this time alone. I have searched these dunes till but one path remains untried on that path I now travel. And this time I shall not strive in vain, and again I shall look into those eyes that I have worshipped so long.
And then? Who knows? I am no trembling fugitive now, but one who fears not to measure strength with the immortals if needs be. … If she be that, I fear nothing . . . and I shall find the way. Seek not to follow me, my friend of the wilderness . . . for I leave no spoor. . . . This time I shall find the path.
It was nearly morning when he finished his weird tale; the waning moon had risen, and threw a faint light over the limitless void of the desert.
The fire was dying down, and I turned to replenish it; for lions were numerous in the vicinity. And as I turned back, I saw this strange acquaintance of mine for the last time. He stood about twenty yards away, his arms outstretched towards the desert as though in supplication; a motionless and striking figure in spite of his deformity.
"I'm going to turn in," I called; but he neither moved nor answered, and when I looked again he had gone.
"He will be back directly," I thought, and curling myself up on my blanket I fell asleep immediately.
All too soon my boys called me, and waking, I found that my guest had gone.
"Which way?" I asked Jantje.
"Nie, baas; ek wiet nie," he said, shaking his head.
"Kambala," said I, impatiently, to the other man; "has the ou baas gone?"