The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-08-30
CHAPTER VIII.
nE CATCHES THE Old nIRD.


HE CATCHES THE OLD BIRD.
At 4 o'clock the next afternoon the
German rode across the plain, return
ing from his search for the lost sheep.
lie rode slowly. for he had been in the
saddle since sunrise and was some
what weary. and the heat of the after
noon made his horse sleepy az il picked
its way slowly along the sandy road.
Every now and then great red spider
would start ont Of the "karroo" on one
side OF the path and run across 60 the
other. but nothing else broke the still
monotony. Presently, behind one OF
the highest OF the milk bushes TINT
dotted the roadside, the German caught
sight Of Katlr woman. seated there
evidently for such shadow as the milk
bush might afford from the sloning
rays OF the sun The German turned
the horses head out Of The road. 1t
was not his way TO pass a living crea-
ture withoutR word Of greeting Com
ing nearer, he found il was no other
than the wife of the absconding kaffir
herd. She had q baby tied on her back
by dirty strip Of red blanket An
other strip hardly larger was twisted
round her waist for the rest of her
black body was naked she was
sullen, III looking woman, with lips
hideously protrudlng.
The German questioned her as 10
how she came there. She muttered IN
broken Dutch that she had been turned
away. Had she done evil? She shook
her head sullenly. Had she had food
given her? She grunted negative
and famed the flies from her baby.
Telling the woman to remain whore
| she was, he turned his horses head 20
the road and rode of M furious pace.
"EIard hearted Cruel! O my God!
Is this the way? Is this charity? Yes.
yes. yes" calculated the old man AZ he
! rode on, but presently his anger be-
gan To evaporate. his horses pace
slackened, and by the time lie had
reached his own door he was nodding
and smiling
Disinounting quickly. he went TO the
great chest where his provisions were
kept Here H. got out a little meal, a
few mealies "A few rOaster cakes.
These he tied mp In three blue handker-
chiefs, and. putting them into a sail
cloth bag, he strung them over his
shoulders. Then he looked circum-
! specify out at the door II was very
bad 70 be discovered in the act OF Civ
| ing II made him red up TO the roots
| OF his old grizzled hair No one was
| about however. so he rode or again.
! Before the milk bush sat the KafIir
woman still like Eagar he thought,
4 thrust ont b. her mistress in The viii
! derness 60 die. Telling her 70 loosen
\ the handkerchief from her head. he
poured into IL the contents OF bis bag.
/ The woman tied Il up ia suilen silence.
"You must try 70 get 20 the next
/ farm" said the German.
! The woman shook her head. She
would sleep IN the field.
The German reflected Kaflir women
were accustomed 10 sleep In the open
air, but then the child was small, and
after so hot day the night might be
chilly That she would creep back to
the huts az the homestead when the
darkness favored her the Germans
sagacity did not make evident 20 him.
| He took OF the old brown salt and
pepper coat and held II out TO her. The
woman received IL in silence and laid IL
across her knee with that they will
sleep warmly. not so bad. Ha, ma, hap'
said the German. And he rode home,
noddIng his head In a manner that
would have made any other man dizzy.
IL wish he would not come back to-
night" said En-, her face wet with
| tears.
1T will be just the same II he comes
back tomorrow" said Lyndall.
The two girls sat on the step OF the
cabin waiting for the Germans re-
turn. Lyndall shaded her eyes with
her hand from the sunset light.
There he comes" she said, "whis-
Ting 'Ach Jerusalem du schoner so
loud can hear him here"
Perhaps he has found the sheep"
Found themr' said Lyndall He
would whistle Just so II be knew he
had TO die tonight"
You look at the sunset eh. chick
ens7" the German said IA he came up
at a smart canter "Ah, yes. that Is
BEAUTIFUL ne added a. he dlsmount.
ed pausing for moment with his
hand on the saddle 10 look NJ the even
ing sky where the sun shot up long
flaming streaks between which and
the eye thin yellow clouds iioated "Ei.
you weepT said the German az the
girls ran up TO him
Before they had time TO reply the
voice OF Tant Sannle was heard.
You child OF the child OF the child