Between Snow and Fire — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

is gee & bie 7 « = 7: ; — >. = é r aii - a : ma, J < —— — ee * Ay $. 7 ‘on 5% e : ah » -~ = ; 3 . Qo c Te ; \ . ; , - a = a, * — 4 ; - f 4 the settlement, reckoned themselves strong enough to cross the hostile ground in comparative safety—reckoning rather on evading the enemy than on meeting him in battle with such small numbers. And this would be easier, for the Gcaléka country had been swept from end.to end and its in- habitants driven beyond the Bashi—for atime. In which process the Kaffrarian Rangers had gallantly borne their art. : i As the hour for starting drew near, prodigious was the fussiness displayed by Hoste over the preparations. He couldn’t find this, and he couldn’t find that—he wanted this done and that done—in short made himself a signal nuisance. Now all this was done in accordance with a crafty ideaof Payne’s. “ The women will be bound to turn on the waterworks. Therefore, give them plenty to do. Fuss them out of their very lives so that they won’t have time so much as to think of snivelling—until we’re gone, and then it won't matter,” had enjoined that unpriacipled philosopher—who had sent his own family down to King Williamstown some days previously. “Do you mind taking a quarter of an hour’s stroll, Eans- wyth?”’ said Eustace in his most matter-of-fact way, shortly before they were due tostart. ‘ You see, neither Tom nor I can tell how long we may be away, and there are two or three things in connection with our joint possessions which I should like to discuss with you.” Eanswyth’s heart gavea bound. The time of parting was drawing very near, and it seemed as if no opportunity would be offered them of seeing each other alone ; that their fare- well must be made, even as that other farewell, in the pres- ence of half a dozen people. But his readiness of resource had hit upon a way, while she, all unnerved as she was, could think of nothing. 3 It was a lovely night. The thin sickle of anew moon hung in the heavens, and the zenith was ablaze with stars. Behind, the lights of the village, the sound of voices and laughter; in front, the darkness of the silent ve/¢d¢4, Far away against the blackness of the hills glowed forth a red fire. Thus they stood—alone—and the time seemed all too short. ‘Thus they stood—alone beneath the stars, and heart was opened to heart in the terrible poignancy of that part- ing hour, (ECO payicel exeyxe) q fee 7 ~ “a ” io ’ ve a ~-. « he & + * 1(% pA 4