“Yes, Joeboy,” I said; “but it will soon get better.”
“Um!” he said, and he looked at me inquiringly, as if for orders.
“Now we must be off, Joeboy, before the Boers hunt me out.”
“Um!” he said, in token of assent; and upon my calling Sandho to my side Joeboy helped me to mount, securing the satchel to my saddle in obedience to my orders; and, making for Echo Nek, we went steadily on, my intention being to get through the pass and some distance on the other side towards the Natal border before dark.
“We shall know the road better there, Joeboy,” I said after we had been walking some time; “it all seems strange to me here.”
“Joeboy know,” he said.
“What! the way about here?” I said, in surprise. “When did you come?”
“Long while,” he replied. “Lost bullock. Come here.”
“Oh!”—then I remembered. “Of course. You were gone a fortnight.”
“Um!” said Joeboy.