Van der Wyck forestalled the Chief. In a voice of thunder he bade the six assistants to make themselves scarce. They obeyed with considerable alacrity.
Then deliberately walking up to where Colin stood, the Afrikander cut the rope that bound him.
"See to your friend," he said, handing Sinclair the knife. "You'll be all right, I'll promise you. Don't move until I tell you. I've a few words to say to these gentlemen, particularly to my acquaintance, Umkomasi."
CHAPTER XXXIII
WHERE THE GOLD WENT
Van der Wyck with a fluent command of the Makoh'lenga tongue, figuratively had Umkomasi on toast. He handled the situation briskly and decisively, giving the Chief very little opening and dismissing the latter's arguments in a manner that left him powerless.
In vain Umkomasi protested that the sacred amulet, which he admitted having given to the Afrikander, had passed into unauthorised hands; that his captives had no right to be possessed of the swastika.
He had heard from native sources that two young white men were in the country with the mystic jewel in their possession, and he had taken prompt measures to secure both it and them.
"You must release them instantly, Umkomasi," demanded Van der Wyck.