There came a loud clap of thunder. Mutla galloped quickly across to Petrus. Springing lightly to the ground, he exclaimed:
"Oh, my master, come quick to kraals! Rain, bad rain!"
"You are right, Mutla. George, come quick! We must hurry home! We are in for a drenching!"
They put their ponies to the gallop and scampered over the soaking ground as another crash of thunder brought the water down in sheets.
It was one of those frequent, heavy, sub-tropical downpours which come and go so quickly in the southern hemisphere.
CHAPTER IV
THE GREAT "TREK"
Great-grandfather Joubert was a very patriarch in years. A full century had passed over his head. They had all been such active years, full of stirring memories. Through his rugged features there shone the same big-hearted kindliness which had marked all his days.