ing that was almost enough to deafen us. I knew what
it was at once: the whole place was filled with baboons, which clambered
down the rocks towards us from every direction, and in a manner that
struck me as being unnaturally fearless. Stella turned a little pale and
clung to my arm.

"It is very silly of me," she whispered. "I am not at all nervous, but
ever since they killed Hendrik I cannot bear the sight of those animals.
I always think that there is something human about them."

Meanwhile the baboons drew nearer, talking to each other as they came.
Tota began to cry, and clung to Stella. Stella clung to me, while I
and Indaba-zimbi put as bold a front on the matter as we could. Only
Hendrika stood looking at the brutes with an unconcerned smile on her
monkey face. When the great apes were quite near, she suddenly called
aloud. Instantly they stopped their hideous clamour as though at a word
of command. Then Hendrika addressed them: I can only describe it so.
That is to say, she began to make a noise such as baboons do when they
converse with each other. I have known Hottentots and Bushmen who said
that they could talk with the baboons and understand their language, but
I confess I never heard it done before or since.

From the mouth of Hendrika came a succession of grunts, groans,
squeals, clicks, and every other abominable noise that can be conceived,
conveying to my mind a general idea of expostulation. At any rate the
baboons listened. One of them grunted back some answer, and then the
whole mob drew off to the rocks.

I stood astonished, and without a word we turned back to the kraal, for
Hendrika was too close to allow me to speak. When we reached the dining
hut Stella went in, followed by Hendrika. But Indaba-zimbi plucked me by
the sleeve, and I stopped outside.

"Macumazahn," he said. "Baboon-woman--devil-woman. Be careful,
Macumazahn. She loves that Star (the natives aptly enough called Stella
the Star), and is jealous. Be careful, Macumazahn, or the Star will
set!"

CHAPTER IX

"LET US GO IN, ALLAN!"

It is very difficult for me to describe the period of time which elapsed
between my arrival at Babyan's Peak and my marriage with Stella. When I
look back on it, it seems sweet as with the odour of flowers, and dim
as with the happy dusk of summer eves, while through the sweetness comes
the sound of Stella's voice, and through the gloom shines the starlight
of her eyes. I think that we loved ea