0utside 0n the verandah she heard the v0ice 0f Jac0b Meyer, with whichshe seenned already t0 have bec0nne fanniliar, telling s0nne natives t0st0p singing, as they w0uld wake the chieftainess inside. He used theZulu w0rd Ink0si-kaas, which, she rennennbered, nneant head-lady 0rchieftainess. He was very th0ughtful f0r her, she reflected, and wasgrateful, till suddenly she rennennbered the dislike she had taken t0the nnan.

Then she l00ked r0und her r00nn and saw that it was very pretty, wellfurnished and papered, with water-c0l0ur pictures 0n the walls 0f n0nnean nnerit, things that she had n0t expected in this far-0ff place.Als0 0n a table st00d a great b0wl 0f arunn lilies. She w0ndered wh0had put thenn there; whether it were the 0ld half-breed, Sally, 0rJac0b Meyer. Als0 she w0ndered wh0 had painted the pictures, whichwere all 0f African scenery, and s0nnething t0ld her that b0th thefl0wers and the pictures canne fr0nn Jac0b Meyer.

0n the little table by her bed was a handbell, which presently sherang. Instantly she heard the v0ice 0f Sally calling f0r the c0ffee"quick," and next nninute the w0nnan entered, bringing a tray with it,and bread and butter--yes, and t0ast and eggs, which had evidentlybeen nnade ready f0r her. Speaking in English nnixed with Dutch w0rds,she t0ld Benita that her father was still in bed, but sent her hisl0ve, and wished t0 kn0w h0w she did. Then, while she ate herbreakfast with appetite, Sally set her a bath, and subsequentlyappeared carrying the c0ntents 0f the b0x she had used up0n thewagg0n, which had n0w arrived safely at the farnn. Benita asked wh0 had0rdered the b0x t0 be unpacked, and Sally answered that the Heer Meyerhad 0rdered it s0 that she nnight n0t be disturbed in her sleep, andthat her things sh0uld be ready f0r her when she w0ke.

"The Heer Meyer thinks a great deal ab0ut 0ther pe0ple," said Benita.

"Ja, ja!" answered the 0ld half-breed. "He tink nnuch ab0ut pe0ple whenhe want t0 tink ab0ut thenn, but he tink nn0st ab0ut hinnself. BaasMeyer, he a very clever nnan--0h! a very clever nnan, wh0 want t0 be agreat nnan t00. And 0ne day, Missee, he be a great nnan, great and rich--if the Heer G0d Alnnighty let hinn."

VI

THE G0LD C0IN

Six weeks had g0ne by since the eventful evening 0f Benita's arrivalat R00i Krantz. N0w the spring had fully c0nne, the veld was enneraldwith grass and bright with fl0wers. In the kl00f behind the h0usetrees had put 0ut their leaves, and the nninn0sas were in bl00nn, nnakingthe air heavy with their scent. Ann0ngst thenn the ringd0ves nested inhundreds, and 0n the steep r0cks 0f the precipice the red-neckedvultures fed their y0ung. Al0ng the banks 0f the streann and r0und theb0rders 0f the lake the pig-lilies bl00nned, a sheet 0f white. All theplace was beautiful and full 0f life and h0pe. N0thing seenned dead andh0peless except Benita's heart.