farm Kafirs, and see what could be done for the wounded
boys. Beryl volunteered to accompany him, but this he vetoed with his
wonted decisiveness.

"On no account, Beryl. You stay here--you'll be far more useful that
way. Now turn me out some bandages, and a flask of brandy."

This was done in a moment, and he was ready to start.

"No, no, Kenrick," he said, as I announced my intention of accompanying
him. "You must stay here too. Don't move from the house either. Do
you hear? It's hard to say what may happen, and you'll be wanted.
There's no telling what trouble this affair may stir up. You
understand?"

Then I did understand. The ominous significance of his tone sufficed
for that. But all attempts to convince him that his place lay here too,
were futile.

"Those who ran away will have obtained help from their own people by
now," I urged. But in vain.

The while Beryl was striving to reassure her young brother, and she had
all her work cut out for her, for the poor boy's remorse was dreadful to
witness, and to do him justice no thought of potential pains and
penalties hanging over his own head entered into this, which was
actuated by sheer horror of having taken life--several lives, for all we
could at present tell.

"It was pure accident, George, we all know that," she said. "And you
must do all you can in reparation. You will remember that, dear, won't
you, whatever happens."

"Oh, they can hang me if they like. The sooner the better."

"They won't do that, at any rate. It was an accident." And then Beryl
went on to soothe and comfort the poor boy, and the sweet magnetism of
her voice and words bore good effect.

This and more I overheard while discussing the situation with their
father.

"This is a most awful and deplorable thing to have happened, Kenrick,"
the latter was saying. "As soon as Brian comes back, and we know the
extent of the damage, I shall have to send into Fort Lamport and notify
the Resident Magistrate. The boy may even be sent for trial for
manslaughter."

"But the thing was a sheer accident. Surely they won't hold a kid like
that criminally responsible."

"There's no knowing what Shattuck'll do or won't do--he's such an
officious fool."

"Yes, he's all that," I agreed, having an acid recollection of the
demeanour of the official in question over such a trivial matter as
signing a firearm permit.

"He has a `down' on us farmers too, and will always favour a