chance of coming even with those men-eaters and rescuing the Lady Sad-Eyes, whose face haunted his sleep. As it was, however, he was convinced that by following the course I had mapped out we had lost their spoor finally and that probably they were now three days' march away in another direction. Still, the Baas had said that he had his reasons, and that of course was enough for him, Hans, only if the Baas would condescend to tell him, he would as a matter of curiosity like to know what the reasons were.
At that moment I confess that, much as I was attached to him, I should have liked to murder Hans, who, I felt, believing that he had me on toast,
to use a vulgar phrase, was taking advantage of my position to make a mock of me in his sly, Hottentot way.
I tried to continue to look grand, but felt that the attitude did not impress. Then I stared about me as though taking counsel with the Heavens, devoutly hoping that the Heavens would respond to my mute appeal. As a matter of fact they did.
There is my reason, Hans,
I said in my most icy voice, and I pointed to a faint line of smoke rising against the twilight sky on the further side of the intervening valley.
You will perceive, Hans,
I added, that those Amahagger cannibals have forgotten their caution and lit a fire yonder, which they have not done for a long time. Perhaps you would like to know why this has happened. If so I will tell you. It is because for some days past I have purposely lost their spoor, which they knew we were following, and lit fires to puzzle them. Now, thinking that they had done with us, they have become incautious and shown us where they are. That is my reason, Hans.
He heard and, although of course he did not believe that I had lost the spoor on purpose, stared at me till I thought his little eyes were going to drop out of his head. But even in his admiration he contrived to convey an insult as only a native can.
How wonderful is the Great Medicine of the Opener-of-Roads, that it should have been able thus to instruct the Baas,
he said. Without doubt the Great Medicine is right and yonder those men-eaters are encamped, who might just as well have been anywhere else within a hundred miles.
Drat the Great Medicine,
I replied, but beneath my breath, then added aloud,
Be so good, Hans, as to go to Umslopogaas and to tell
