Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-11

usual to that region. A stone wall encir-
cled the squatty Dutch buildings and
served to keep the calves in the front door
yard. A fence might have been easier, but
Zwager's -grandfathers had managed
it this way, and what had been good
enough for them was good enough for
Zwager They were admitted through the
gate by lazy kaftir boy, and riding up to
the house. beheld the owner.
Before the door, in the sunshine, sat an
old and griZZled Boer-a Boer of the Great
Trek He stared at them for a moment
silently, and then again turned his dull
blue eyes upon the distant view. But after
some reflection he removed his pipe and
asked them briefly: what do you want?''
We want some forage for our horses,
first thing" Burton replied, and the two
dismounted. Zwager reflected some more.
and then announced: You can't have 1t.
'Oh. We can't eh?' remarked Phillips,
Maybe that isn't for you to say The
correction appeared to be lost upon old
Zwager; he sat still and gazed across the
plain toward the blue northward as though
he expected something favorable to come
from that direction. For years and years
the older Beers had been wont to think
of that free up-Country. the untraCked will
derness which could always be their refuge
when the annoying uproar of a rapid civili-
"a ton came too near. But nothing could
come out of 1t now, except danger, and they
We're cut off from it forever as surely as
from the blue sea across which their fore
for place in which to stagnate comfort
ably. Old ZWager may have known this
much of history from the h0mespun tradi-
tons passed down from sire to son, stories
of old tricks and battles for ones own idea
of things, dared by men of stubborn ia
matte breed, like the ROundheads of old
England or the Puritans of the new. But
England and America had gone forward
somewhat. and two Of their representatives,
well up to date. stood now before this old
man of the people who had stopped for two
centuries, and they hardly knew how to
take him.
I'VE want some forage" Burton roared
with ferOciOus emphasis
Old Zwager considered this demand once
more as though it had been new one
You can't have it, he then replied with
undipomatic clearness, because you are
English schelms'' Tascals).
Phillips cienched his fist and walked up
to him Yes, nows your chance, e:i-
Couraged Burton. The kaftir. safe upon the
wall. was apparently the only witness, and
he being only a niger and untaught,
seemed to wonder that men of those races
should fall to fighting. Phillips put has !.st
close up to the stolid face; then took II
away again.
Always did understand that you Anieri-
cans were an uncertain set complained
the Englishman. He strobe up to the HC''r
himself. and delivered an utimatum pu
old dense, beastly uncivil mule, he thun-
dered. tell the boy there to get that for
age. d'you hear?'
The ancient man never noticed them.
They both perceived with ease that he
before I'd stand that Phillips taunted
his companion. Presently Zwager arose
to his feet. You must now go away from
here" he proclaimed calmly, your IAN
guage is not like the Scriptures He went
and picked up a heavy stick and sutty ad-
yanced upon them.
They stood and watched him come, the
two Swapping SaxOns. and exchanged
Il, 6 Il. tl1E.N- ny T,lsf
in full retreat; moved by the same impulse
they skunk back to their horses and
mounted without a word. Without word
they left behind them Iwaser's place, and
for half mile across the Teldt they rode
a long way apart and would not look at
each other. Finally they pulled up and
Sc mething had to he said.
''Er-ah-most disgusting failure" the En-
gliShmaR remarked.
Il couldn't DO it," the American replied,
''because-" He stole a glance at his com
panion and read in his eyes an answering
horror; it was the awful horror and hatred
of their race for "goody- goody talk" Be
cause" he cried triumphantly, Il thought
there might be some more Beers hidden in
the barn"
Just so" assented the Briton in relief,
and came a little nearer. My own idea
exactly" They rode along together in de
lection, knowing more about themselves
than previously they had known. Around
them the very veldt seemed to be laughing
over something, and as they approached
the camp again suddenly they both laughed
Couldn't be done" Burton explained
briefly to the captain. appears, you know,
that there was concealed force in the neigh
bOrhOOG." The ex-vender of medicines was
listening to this and now expressed his
triumph. YAH cried he II told you so.
Men from England and America can't go
to Johannesburg that way"
Hours afterward they left the camp and
Tl orb