I followed them for the
gallop, and when we came to the river, instead of turning to the left as
bucks generally do, the oribe swam the stream and took to the Bad Lands
beyond. I followed it, and within a hundred yards of the big tree the
dogs killed it. Hendrika wanted to turn back at once, but I said that
we would rest under the shade of the tree, for I knew that there was a
spring of water near. Well, we went; and there I saw you all lying like
dead; but Hendrika, who is very clever in some ways, said no--and you
know the rest. Yes, it is very wonderful."
"It is indeed," I said. "Now tell me, Miss Stella, who is Hendrika?"
She looked round before answering to see that the woman was not near.
"Hers is a strange story, Mr. Allan. I will tell you. You must know that
all these mountains and the country beyond are full of baboons. When I
was a girl of about ten I used to wander a great deal alone in the hills
and valleys, and watch the baboons as they played among the rocks. There
was one family of baboons that I watched especially--they used to live
in a kloof about a mile from the house.
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