“May be dey be gone to Graaf Reinet to say you are coming. Ha, he, hi! Dat ish ver’ goot.”
The boer then conducted his guests towards the dwelling. On passing a hut by the way, the hunters were surprised at seeing Congo suddenly disappear around a corner!
On the part of the Kaffir, the encounter appeared both unexpected and undesired, as he had started back apparently to avoid them.
This was a new mystery.
“Ho Congo! come back here,” shouted Willem. “Why are you here? Why are you not with the others?”
The Kaffir did not condescend to make answer, but skulked into the hut.
The boer now proceeded to explain that the Kaffir had expressed a wish to be employed at his place, and had declared that he would proceed no further with his former masters, who had cruelly ill-treated him for allowing the giraffes to escape. He denied having done anything to influence this strange decision.
“This cannot be,” said Willem. “There must be some mistake. He is not telling the truth if he says that we beat him. I may have spoken to him somewhat harshly; I admit having done so, but I did not know he was so sensitive. I’m sorry, if I have offended him, and am willing to apologise.”
Mynheer Van Ormon stepped up to the door of the hut and commanded the Kaffir to come forth.
When Congo showed himself at the entrance, Willem apologised to him for the harsh language he had used, and, in the same manner as one friend should speak to another, entreated him to forget and forgive, and return with them to Graaf Reinet.