Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-07-09
fighting parties to mean war. A SOL
ifarv falcon hoyprpd high in thp untar-

nished blue, and before them stretched
the Transvaal, its veldt as yellow as a
sea Of gold. Old Zwager's farm lay
like dot in this, and over everything
Sabbath quiet brooded, but here the
spark could be struck which should set
South Africa aflre. They felt the de-
light Of power, sense Of danger and
daring leaped in their blood, and they
rode straight forward resolutely.
Zwager's place was built up In q way
usual to that region. A stone wall en-
circled the squatty Dutch buildings
and served to keep the calves In the
front dooryard. A fence might have
been easier, but Zwager's great-grand-
fathers had managed 1t this way, and
what had been good enough for them
was good enough for Zwager. They
were admitted through the gate by
lazy Kaffir 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
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 brief
ly, "What do you want"
Eve 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 It."
ooh, we can't, eh" remarked Phil
lips. Maybe that isn't for you to
say" The correction appeared to he
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
wilderness which could always be their
refuge when the annoying uproar Of a
rapid civilization came too near. But
nothing could come out Of it now ex-
cept danger, and they were cut off
from it forever as surely as from the
blue sea across which their forefathers
had wandered two centuries before for
a place in which to stagnate comforta-
bly,. Old Zwager may have known
this much Of history from the home
spun traditions passed down from sire
to son-stories of old treks and battles
for ones own idea Of things, dared by
men of stubborn, fanatic 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.
"We want some foragew Burton
roared, with ferocious emphasis.
Old Zwager considered this demand
once more as though it had been n new
one. "You can't have 1t" he then re-
piled, with undiplomatic clearness, "be-
cause you are English schelms" ras-
cals).
Phillips clinched his fist and walked
up to him. Yes; now's your chance,
encouraged Burton. The Kaffir, 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 fight
ing Phillips put his fist close up to
the stolid face, then took it away again.
always did understand that you
Americans were an uncertain set"
complained the Englishman. He strobe
up to the Boer himself and delivered
an ultimatum. You old, dense, beast
ly, uncivil mule" he thundered, tell
the boy there to get that forage! D'you
hear?"
The ancient man never noticed them.
They both perceived with ease that he
thought they were afraid Of him. "Oh.
before I'd stand thatw Phillips taunted
his companion. Presently Zwager arose
to his feet. "You must now go away
from here" he proclaimed calmly.
"Your language is not like the Scrip
tures." He went and picked up
heavy stick and stifly advanced upon
them.
They stood and watched him come,
the two strapping Saxons, and ex-
changed furtive glance. Then OF a
sudden they broke in full retreat. Moved
by the same impulse, they skunk back
to their horses and mounted without
word. Without word they left behind
them Zwager's place, and for half a
mile across the veldt they rode long
way apart and would not look at each
other. Finally they pulled up ana
something had to be said.
"Er -ah - most disgusting failure!
the Englishman remarked.
81 couldn't do It." the American re-
piled. "because"-he stole glal9e NJ
his companion and read in his eyes an
answering horror; it was the awful
horror and hatred Of their race for
"goody goody talk" "because," he
cried Giumphantly, 81 thought there
might be some more Beers hidden In
the barn."
"Just so," assented the BritOn in re-
lief and came little nearer. MY own
idea exactly" They rode along togeth-
er in detection, 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 too.
Couldn't be done," Burton explain
ed briefly to the captain. appears, you
know, that there was concealed force
in the neighborhood." The ex-vender
of medicines was listening and prompt
" expressed his triumph. "Yah," cried
he, 81 told you so! Men from England
and America can't 60 to johannesburg
that way"
Hours afterward they left the camp
and took the road toward Klerksburg.
They stopped once in the plain and
looked behind them at the border line,
and all was quiet along it. Then the
Englishman, doubtless with his thoughts
upon old Zwager, said, "That war will
come, though, as sure as the sun Is up
there"
"Or as sure as there is gold In Johan-
nesburg," the other agreed, but It