“I trust this may be my last attack of giddiness,” answered Stephanus, huskily. “It is the extra fine living on board ship which must have made me bilious, I think.”
“Funny, isn’t it, that you should have been seized twice when near me?” remarked Ned, unsuspiciously.
The young Boer shot a rapid and furtive glance at Ned, but seeing how open he looked, he smiled and held out his hand.
“It was lucky for me both times that you were in front of me, if not so for you. In a sense you have also saved my life, Edward Romer.”
“Not at all; only you ought to learn to swim.”
“And fly,” added Fred, who was standing beside them.
For the rest of the voyage Stephanus had no more giddy attacks, and his young friends quickly forgot the accidents. The Boer, however, did not forget his obligations. He was more profuse in his expressions towards Ned; yet if quieter towards the others, he attached himself more to them, and showed by many signs that he liked them better than he appeared to like Ned.
Thus the days passed pleasantly until they dropped anchor at Cape Town, and went ashore to begin their new life.