St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-06
CROSSING THE MOOT.
CPhil Robinson.1

Kafr Joe sat at his post, the ferry over
the Moot river, whiting at new knob
kerry.
"Ahoyi there, ahoyl" came voice from
the thorn bush on the other side, and Kafir
Joe sprang to his feet.
"Inkos' Umnyatalata," said he to himself,
raising his arms in the salute of a respectful
attention, and went bounding, after the man
ner of the Kafir, whether wild or tame, down
to the river SIDE He was soon in the boat,
and, pulling at the rope, quickly gained the
other side.
Now Inkos' Umnyatalata, being translated,
means Voice-of-Honey Esquire, for "Voice-
of-Honey" was the name which the Kafirs,
who nickname every European they meet,
had given to Mr.. Hugh BentincB, of the
farm on the Moot. With him, on the farm,
was staying just now-and had been for
three months-an old schoolfellow and col
lege chum, the Inkos' Kaloonga, or "Dare
Devil Esquire" This was the Kafir equiv
alent for Mr.. Alan Cumnor, late of Grey
Town, young gentleman who had made a
complete failure Of his colonial career, and
having now sold his land and stock for what
they would fetch, was reported to be return
ing to England, where prospects, it was said
had suddenly opened to him.
Now Hugh Bentinck was married to one of
the prettiest, most heartless women that
ever wore wedding-ring. But he thought
her absolute perfection. Once only in his
life had Hugh seen fault in her and that
was when she insisted on riding sick horse
rather than forego visit to Boer peddlers
cart that was halted some five miles off in a
thorn bush. The horse died the same night.
But all Florry said was that she was not alto
gether sorry, as she thought the horse had
taken to shying at water of late. Cumnor,
who was at the farm at the time, rode over
the next morning to Gray Town and brought
back Pearl, the best horse in Natal, as a
present for his charming hostess-a parting
present. "..
@For must really be off to England" he
said. II came for day and have been here
three months and more"
"But not day too long, old man," said
Bentinck, 81 wish you could stay here alto
gether."
For the husband was the only man in the
colony who did not know that Alan Cumnor
was in love with his wife. Even the Kafirs
about the farms knew it. She used to be
called 1.-THE Flower Bird" but now was the
"Inkosikasa Ulami"-"the lady with two
husbands" But at last even Bentinck knew
it--and this is how the truth came out
1t was the day before Alan Cumnors going
He had been absent for four days-having
ridden to the landrost's office on the Trans
vaal border to make arrangements, as he
wished to travel by land, for conveyance by
way Of the Free State down into the Cape
Colony. Hugh also had been away, on his
friends business, to purchase some horse
gear that was needed. But as he was riding
down through the thorn his horse strained
itself, and he left it at the Kafir post-lodge
and walked home the last three miles on foot
1t was already darkeniRg when he reached
home, but seeing the light in his dining-room
he walked across the garden, making short
cut, and was in the act of stepping on to the
veranda when he saw his wife, Florry, with
her arms round Alan Cumnor's neck. The
shock was more than he could bear and he
staggered step or two and sank to the
ground.
The noise startled the lovers, for Florry
came to the door, Cumnor followed her.
at was only your fancy, darlingl There
was nothing there"
"Oh," said she, with a sob of relief; 'I could
have sworn L heard Hugh's voice. 1t sounded
to me as if he was dying and cried: Good
Godr"
Nonsense" was the reply.
And they remained where they were, in the
full light.
"At the MOOT, them" said he. II will wait
at the ferry till you come"
"At the Mooi," she replied, and then con-
tinued: "How much did you say Uncle Eos
ter had died worth?"
"About 1900, and with that, my darling,
we can live happy together for all our lives,
in America or Australia or anywhere"
II will go anywhere with you," she said;
"butI shall bring my dowry with me-" And
then she laughed low-that her lovers blood
should not curdle at that taught "For those
diamonds that Hugh always calls mine are
worth, he says, some thousandsW
And Hugh, lying there on the ground at
their very feet in the shadow of the veranda
steps, felt the words burning, one by one into
his brain, like drops of melting lead. And
then they went inside again. The shutters
were closed, and Hugh lay there. At last, on
his hands and knees, he crawled away like
some wounded thing. His dog saw him and
rushed at him, thinking he was some wild
beast; but he murmured its name and it
went along by his side, licking his face, and
whimpering its poor, pathetic sympathy.
Then Hugh raised himself on his knees and
after awhile got on his feet, and with his
dog beside him, walked round to the front
Of the house and called out to his servants.
Dogs began to bark. Kafirs shouted in re-
ponse. The front door was thrown opened
and there stood his wife, radiant with
smiles of welcome.
"Good gracious" said she. "What is the
matter with yous You are all dust, and look
SO paleP
dts nothing" he said. IT got fall at the
Slip-and l am afraid the horse is more hurt
than l am-but I'll go to bed. Dead or alive,
have to be at the sale, tomorrow, at
Thompson's-Hullo! Alan," he broke off. as
Cumnor approached. "Im sorry to be like
this the last night you are here-but I'm a bit
shaken-and as must be over at Thompson's
by noon, tomorrow, must be off to bed
but Florry will look after you-and I'll see
you before you CO."
The wretched wife did not even act her
part. She forgot to condole and sympathize
Her heart, such as it was, was full of her
lover and to-morrow's elopement. Later on
she remembered her duty, but on going to
him found her husband with his eyes closed
fast, evidently asleep, SO she tripped back to
her lover. Next morning Hugh was the first
astir: he had dressed and breakfasted seen
the colt galloped by his Kafir jockey, given
the orders for the day, and was ready to
start for Thompson's, some twelve miles off,
before Cumnor appeared. Florfy came on
soon after, and they exchanged good Dyes in
do