And as she slipped into a niche built up
of strong, staunch comradeship, the black community considered that they,
too, had fathomed the missus; and it became history in the camp that the
Maluka had stolen her from a powerful Chief of the Whites, and, deeming
it wise to disappear with her until the affair had blown over, had put
many flooded rivers between him and his pursuers. "Would any woman have
flung herself across rivers on wires, speeding on without rest or pause,
unless afraid of pursuit?" the camp asked in committee, and the most
sceptical were silenced.
Then followed other days full of pleasant intercourse; for once sure of
its welcome, bushmen are lavish with their friendship. And as we roamed
about the tiny Settlement, the Wag and others vied with the Maluka, Mine
Host, and Mac in "making things pleasant for the missus": relating
experiences for her entertainment; showing all there was to be shown, and
obeying the edict with cheerful, unquestioning chivalry.
Neither the Head Stockman nor the little bushman, however, had made any
offers of friendship, Dan having gone out to the station immediately
after interviewing the Maluka, while the little bushman spent most of his
time getting out of the way of the missus whenever she appeared on his
horizon.
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