The trouble began that very night. It was commenced by the Kaffirs, who had overheard what the Boers said to Mack, and were greatly troubled by it. When the wagon halted for the night, these worthies went about the work of outspanning very reluctantly. They did not shout and sing as they usually did when their day’s labor was over, but went into the sulks, and acted like a lot of children who had been denied something their parents thought they ought not to have. Uncle Dick, who lay on his blanket under his tent enjoying his pipe, watched their actions for a few minutes and then called Frank to his side. “Just keep your weather eye open to-night, and see that the horses all come in,” said he, in a low tone, “and tell the rest of the boys to be very careful of their guns.”
“What’s the matter?” asked Frank.
“You know what that Boer said to Mack about the Bushmen, don’t you? Well, the Kaffirs heard it and are laying their plans to leave us. They are afraid of those wild men of the desert.”
“So am I,” said Frank.
“I am not particularly anxious to meet them,” said Uncle Dick, with a smile, “but I am not going to run until I see something to run from, and neither do I mean that our property shall be stolen. These Kaffirs are noted for deserting their employers when things don’t go to their liking, and they take care not to leave empty-handed. They always steal the best of the horses and the best of the guns, too, if they can get their hands on them. We must have a guard every night from this time forward. Don’t you think it would be a good plan?”
This question was addressed to the driver, who had been standing in the door of the tent long enough to overhear the most of what Uncle Dick said to Frank.
“You surely don’t mean to go on?” said Mack.
“Certainly I do,” answered Uncle Dick. “I am not going to take my stock of goods back to Grahamstown if I can help it.”
“If they belonged to me I should start back with them to-morrow.”
“Now, Mack, I didn’t expect to hear that from you,” said Uncle Dick, reproachfully.