"Nothing ever knocks me out," he reiterated, and dragged on through
sleepless days and nights, as the days dragged by finding ample reward in
the knowledge that "he'd rather have me", and when there came that deep
word of praise from his stricken comrade: "A good mate's harder to find
than a good wife," his gentle, protecting devotion increased tenfold.
Bushmen are instinctively protective. There is no other word that so
exactly defines their tender helpfulness to all weakness and
helplessness. Knowing how hard the fight is out-bush for even the strong
and enduring all their magnificent strength and courage stand ready for
those who would go to the wall without it. A lame dog, a man down in his
luck, an old soaker, little women any woman in need or sickness--each and
all call forth this protectiveness; but nothing calls it forth in all its
self-sacrificing tenderness like the helplessness of a strong man
stricken down in his strength.
Understanding this also, we stood aside, and rejoicing as the sick man,
benefiting by the comparative comfort and satisfied to have his own way,
seemed to improve.
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