Between Snow and Fire — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

a. all > ITN + s-, —— Fie oe / ’ — _s os : : j , a 7 . us & . = “ aa ; e “ °2 ‘ 7 " - ~ AG ? a - « Likely enough it’ll be about as reliable as usual,” said | GS ustace. ‘What was the last report? Kreli and the - Gcaléka army encamped at the Kei Drift—be here in two — hours ?”’ “Tt’s all very well to laugh,” said Mrs. Hoste. “But what if we were attacked some fine night?” “ There isn’t the ghost of achanceof it. Especially with all these wondrous fortifications about,” “T wish I thought you were serious. It would be a relief to me if I could think so.’ | “Pray do think so, Mrs. Hoste. There is no sort of chance of this place being attacked ; so make your mind easy.’ “What do you think of our crib, Milne?” struck in Hoste. “Tt seems snug enough. Not palatial, but good enough for all purposes. You were lucky to light upon it.” ‘Rather. There isn’t so much as the corner of a rat hole to be had in the whole place now. But, it’s knocked off raining,” as a bright gleam of sunlight shot into the room. ‘Only a thunder-shower. We seem to have done dinner. Let’s go out and pick up the latestlie. By the way, you don’t want to go home again to-night, Milne? We can give you a shake-down on the sofa.” “The fact is I don’t. ‘To-morrow will do just as well, and then I suppose I'll have to trek with the stock down to Swaanepoel’s Hoek, while Tom, thirsting for death or glory, fills up that tally stick he was telling us about last night.” “ But don’t you intend to volunteer for the front, like the rest ?”’ asked Mrs. Hoste in astonishment. “No. Not at present, anyway. J/’ve no quarrel with Jack Kafir; rather the reverse. I own I should like to see the campaign, but I couldn't do that without drawing trigger, and that’s just what I’d rather avoid, except in a case of absolute necessity.” It might have been imagination, but Eustace fancied he could detect a look of intense relief pass over Eanswyth’s features as he announced his desire to avoid the scene of hostilities. Yet with so many eyes upon him—upon them both—he would not look directly at her. Such is the effect of an arriére-pensée. Two days ago he would not have been careful to study appearances. But a good deal can 7 Pikes the < ~~. ab eshnieeeeal, Aggy Ms > = 1 Gomilicboo