It was bad enough to see one man killed
like that," and she shivered; "I could not bear any more."
"You should not be angry at the fellow's death, seeing that it was what
he said of you which brought it upon him," Meyer replied with meaning.
"Otherwise he might have gone unharmed as far as I was concerned. For
the rest, I did not interfere because I saw it was useless; also I am
a fatalist like our friend, the Molimo, and believe in what is decreed.
The truth is," he added sharply, "among savages ladies are not in
place."
"Why did you not say that down at Rooi Krantz, Jacob?" asked Mr.
Clifford. "You know I thought so all the while, but somehow I was
over-ruled. Now what I suggest is, that we had better get out of this
place as fast as we can--instantly, as soon as we have eaten, before our
retreat is cut off."
Meyer looked at the oxen which had been outspanned: nine were wandering
about picking up what food they could, but the five which were supposed
to have been bitten by tetsefly had lain down.
"Nine worn-out and footsore oxen will not draw the waggon," he said;
"also in all probability the place is already surrounded by Matabele,
who merely let us in to be sure of the guns which their spies must have
told them we were carrying. Lastly, having spent so much and come so
far, I do not mean to go without what we seek.
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