of me, but
the old gun hung fire. I suppose that the powder in the pan was a little
damp, and instead of hitting the buck in front I caught him somewhere
behind. He fell down, but has gone on again, so we must follow him, for
I don't think that he will get very far."

Accordingly, when Ralph had reloaded his gun, which took some time--for
in those days we had scarcely anything but flintlocks--yes, it was with
weapons like these that a handful of us beat the hosts of Dingaan and
Moselikatse--they started to follow the blood spoor up the kloof, which
was not difficult, as the animal had bled much. Near to the top of the
kloof the trail led them through a thick clump of mimosas, and there in
the dell beyond they found the riet-buck lying dead. Riding to it they
dismounted and examined it.

"Poor beast," said Suzanne; "look how the tears have run down its face.
Well, I am glad that it is dead and done with," and she sighed and
turned away, for Suzanne was a silly and tender-hearted girl who
never could understand that the animals--yes, and the heathen Kaffirs,
too--were given to us by the Lord for our use and comfort.

Presently she started and said, "Ralph, do you remember this place?"

He glanced round and shook his head, for he was wondering whether he
would be able to lift the buck on to the horse without asking Suzanne to
help him.

"Look again," she said; "look at that flat stone and the mimosa tree
lying on its side near it."

Ralph dropped the leg of the buck and obeyed her, for he would always do
as Suzanne bade him, and this time it was his turn to start.

"Almighty!" he said, "I remember now. It was here that you found me,
Suzanne, after I was shipwrecked, and the tigers stared at us through
the boughs of that fallen tree," and he shivered a little, for the sight
of the spot brought back to his heart some of the old terrors which had
haunted his childhood.

"Yes, Ralph, it was here that I found you. I heard the sound of your
voice as you knelt praying on this stone, and I followed it. God heard
that prayer, Ralph."

"And sent an angel to save me in the shape of a little maid," he
answered; adding, "Don't blush so red, dear, for it is true that ever
since that day, whenever I think of angels, I think of you; and whenever
I think of you I think of angels, which shows that you and the angels
must be close together."

"Which shows that you are a wicked and silly lad to talk thus to a Boer
girl," she answ