“Coffee no ’fraid to go,” said that young gentleman.
“Chicory go too after father,” said his brother; and the two boys dashed into the rushing water past the oxen, and then disappeared.
“What madness!” said Mr Rogers. “Why the stream runs swiftly enough for them to be swept away.”
Both Jack and Dick gazed eagerly out over the swift river; but the black figures of the young Zulus seemed to disappear in the darkness, and for some few minutes there was an excited pang while they listened to the bubbling of the water against the fore wheels of the waggon, or the plashing made by the oxen as they lazily moved their legs, apparently enjoying the pleasant coolness of the water after their toilsome march.
“I ought not to have allowed them to go,” said Mr Rogers suddenly. “Here, Dinny, bring me the bay. I’ll mount, and try and ride over to their help.”
“Bring the what, sor?” said Dinny.
“The bay,” cried Mr Rogers. “Quick, man! quick!”
“An’ how’ll I be getting at him, sor?” said Dinny. “Sure he’s standing out there in the wather catching cowld, and I couldn’t reach him widout getting very wet.”
“Why you did wade in to drink,” cried Jack, indignantly.
And with a rush and a splash he ran into the water, to where he could dimly make out the form of the big bay; and catching it by the halter, he drew it after him, the rest of the thirst-quenched horses coming plash! plash! out of the water, and following the bay like so many sheep.