Between Snow and Fire — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

“— 7 -_ = a -— a: a — = °°. = —s be 7. a a tae ‘ ad 7 Ps i. 7 [= « ~ 82 | ‘TWEEN SNOW AND FIRE. the Transkei had been massacred, and that Kreli was march- ing upon Komgha at the head of the whole Gcaléka army. Mrs. Hoste, with her two young daughters, were at the door as the party drove up. They received Eanswyth very cordially. “ At last—at last! Why, we have been looking out for you for the last hour. I declare, I began to think you had stayed too long at Anta’s Kloof, and the Kafirs had taken you prisoner or something. How do you do, Mr. Milne? But—come in. We are going to have a. dreadful storm in aminute. Mercy on us! What a flash.” The blue, steely gleam was followed by a roll of thunder, long, loud, reverberating. There was a patter upon the zinc roof. A fewrain-drops, nearly as large as saucers, splashed around, and then, almost before the two men could get into their waterproof coats, the rain descended with a roar and a rush, in such a deluge that they could hardly see to out- span the trap. “ Allamaghtaag / but that’s a fine rain,” cried Hoste, with a farmer's appreciation, as he swung himself free of his dripping mackintosh in the little veranda. ‘Especially for those who are under canvas,” said Eus- tace with a significant glance at a group of tents pitched upon the plain just outside the village. For the surrounding veld? had been turned into something like a sea, and a miniature torrent roared down every depresssion in the ground. “ Well, Mr. Milne,” cried Mrs. Hoste, from the head of the table, as the two men entered. ‘Its past three o’clock and dinner has been ready since half-past one. We quite expected you then.” “ Which, being interpreted, means that I must prepare for the worst,” was the rejoinder. ‘“ Never mind. I dare say we shan't starve. Well, and what’s the latest absurdity in the way of news?” * Just what I was going toask you. You're hand-in-glove with all the Kafir chiefs. You ought to be able to give ws all the news.” Eustace smiled to himself. He could tell them a few things that would astonish them considerably, if he chose. But he did not choose. “We'll loaf round the village presently,” said Hoste, * Likely enough we'll hear something then.” Gomilchboo (E(o)