“All Boer,” he said, pointing in various directions. “Can’t go. Wait.”
“Yes,” I said; “we must wait till it is dark.”
“Boss Val wait. Sandho eat and rest,” he said. “Boss lie down.”
“No,” I replied. “I must sit here and watch. You lie down now.”
“Boss Val lie down,” said the black, shaking his head. “Boer see um.”
“Well, they’ll see you,” I said.
“Um!” he replied, with a nod. “Only black man. See Boss Val; come and catch um.”
It was my turn to nod now, for his meaning was plain. If the Boers saw me, my chances of escape were gone; while if by ill-luck they caught night of him, the probability was that they would not trouble themselves about a solitary Kaffir.
“You are right, Joeboy,” I said. “I’ll keep hidden till it grows dark.”
“Um!” he said softly; “get dark. Then not see Boss Val. Joeboy go and look how many.”