by Tanta Sal would make a delicious kind of broth, the very thing for
the sick man. Going out, he called to the Kaffir woman, and sent her to
watch over Emson; while, gun in hand, he prepared to start for the
kopje, so as to get into a good hiding-place before the guinea-fowl came
home to roost.

His first act was to whistle for Duke, but the dog did not appear, and
this set the lad wondering, for he remembered now that he had not seen
it for hours.

But he was too intent upon the task he had in hand to think more of the
dog just then, and hurried on past the kopje, and into the patch of
forest growth which nourished consequent upon the springs which trickled
from the granite blocks that sheltered the spring and fertilised a few
dozen acres of land, before sinking right down among the sand and dying
away.

Dyke felt as if a complete change had come over his life during the past
few hours. The golden light of evening had transformed the desert
veldt, and everything looked glorious, while his spirits rose so, that
had he not wanted the birds, he would have burst out shouting and
singing in the exuberance of his joy.

"Who says Kopfontein isn't a beautiful place?" he said softly. "I did,
and didn't know any better. Why, it's lovely, and Joe and I will do
well yet."

A cloud came over his brow as he made for the patch of trees. His
memory was busy, and he began to recall the past--his discontent, and
how trying he must have been to his big, amiable, patient brother.

"But never again!" he said to himself. "I didn't know any better then:
I do now;" and, forgetting the dangers and troubles, or setting them
aside as something of no consequence at all, Dyke passed on, and at last
entered the trees just as there was a glint of something bright from
which the sunset rays flashed.

But Dyke did not see the glint, neither did he hear the bushes being
parted as something glided through the low growth, and another
something, and then another, and again another--four dark, shadowy
figures, which glided softly away, and then seemed to drop down flat and
remain silent, as if watching.

Dyke saw nothing and thought of nothing now but the broth for his
invalid, but picking out a good hiding-place, he cocked his piece and
waited for the birds; while at the _click, click_ of the gun-locks,
something bright was raised about fifty yards from where he was hidden,
and the bright thing quivered above the bushes for a few moments