She shivered at the thought, then, recovering
herself, walked forward steadily with her bucket of water.
"You have been a long while gone, my love," said Mr. Clifford.
"Yes, father, Mr. Meyer was in the cave, and kept me."
"How did he get there, and what did he want?"
"I don't know how he got there--crept in when we were not looking, I
suppose. But as for what he wanted--listen, dear," and word for word she
told him what had passed.
Before she had finished, her father was almost choking with wrath.
"The dirty Jew! The villain!" he gasped. "I never dreamed that he would
dare to attempt such an outrage. Well, thank Heaven! I can still hold a
rifle, and when he comes out----"
"Father," she said gently, "that man is mad. He is not responsible for
his actions, and therefore, except in self-defence, you must not think
of such a thing. As for what he said about you, I believe it was only
an empty threat, and for me you need have no fear, his power over me is
gone; it went like a flash when his lips touched me," and she rubbed her
own as though to wipe away some stain. "I am afraid of nothing more. I
believe--yes, I believe the old Molimo was right, and that all will end
well----"
As she was speaking Benita heard a shuffling sound behind her, and
turned to learn its cause.
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