Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-05-18
CHAPTER XIII.
IN THE DRIFT OF THE vAAL.

AN Ah1 Oh1EI Ox HE WALL
The day had been intensely and overpower-
ingly hot, and our travellers sat in the shade
of the cart positively gnsping. During the
afternoon there had been little breeze, but
this he'd now died away, and the sitting air
felt as thick as though they were breathing
cream. Even the two Beers seemed to feel
the heat, for they wero both outstretched on
tho grass few PAGES to the left, to oil up
pearances fast asleep. AS for the horses, thoy
were thoroughly done up-too much so to
cat-and hobbled along rs well as their knee
halters would allow, daintily picking n
mouthful here and a mouthful there. The
only person who did not seem to mind was
the Zulu Mouti, Who sat on an antheap near
the horses, in the full glare of the setting sun
and comfortably droned out O little song of
his own invention, for Zulus are as great for
improvising as the Italians
John, said Jess, ut last, s'where do you
suppose VIC are going to camp tonight II
VIC follow the main road we shall reach Stan
derton I'm an hour"
II don't suppose that they will 60 near
Standerton," lie said. II suppose that we
shall cross the Vaal by another drift and
have to 'veldt,' it,"
Just then the two Beers woke up and began
to talk earnestly together, as though they
were debating something hotly.
Slowly the huge red ball Of the sun sank to-
ward the horizon, sleeping ths earth and sky in
blood. Abort hundred yards from where
they nat tho little bride path that branched
from the main road crossed the crest OF ono
Of the great land waves that rolled away In
every direction toward the far horizon. John
watched the sun sinking behind it till some
thing called away his attention for minute.
When he looked up again there WINS q figure
on horseback, standing quite still. upon the
crest Of the ridge in the full glow Of the now
Disappearing sun. Il was Fan. Euller.
-LohasSeegniEed him in q moment His horse
was standing sideways, SO that even at that
distance every line Of his features, even the
trigger guard of tho rife that rested On his
knee, showed distinctly against the back
ground Of smoky red Nor was that all
Dun ne ana his morse nod TIE appearance Nr
being absolutely OIL fire. Tho effect produced
was SO weird and extraordinary that John
called his companions attention to it. She
looked and shudlered i,ivoiun;arily.
HE looks like devil il hell" she said;
tine fire seems 10 be running all up and down
him.
SWELL" said john, she certainly is devil,
but am sorry to say that he has not yet
reached his destination. Here he comes, like
a whirlwinl.-
Ii another twenty seconds Muller had
'i'',ed tie giea. hack horse on to his
launches alos,:,~illc OF them, and was smiling
S'see:iy al! taking Oh Iii, kat.
You $40 ! haze T.. ..-cd to keen nv
word, he sad II caa I'll you that I Lad
:l.'at d.'.i 'u!iy In dom, 50; indeed, I was
i s,r'y o''i;sci 70 give The thing up at the
a n 'ineat However, here am"
Where are We to outspan to-night?' asked
less "At S;aulertoni'
NO." he said; Il an affnid that is moro
han can manage for you, unless YOU can
cr>ia'c the English officer there to sulren.
der. What have arranged is, that we should
cross the Vaal at Gift know about two
!:o'irs twelve .n!lcs) from here, and outspan
CT farm OH the other side Do not trouble.
assure you you shall both sleep well to-
night" and he smiled somewhat terrifying
smile. jess thought
"But how about this drift, Mr.. Muller!n
said John. as it safei I should have
thought that the Vaal would have been in
nood after oil the rain that we have had"
The drift is perfectly safe, Capt. Mel I
crossed it myself about two hours ago.
know you have had q bad opinion of me, but
suppose you do not think that should
guide you to an unsafe drift" and with On
other bow be rode on to speak to the two
Ioers, saying, As be went, "Win you tell the
ka1ir to put the horses inf"
With . shrug Of his shoulders John rose and
vent OF toward Aouti, to help him to drive